All the cheesy, saucy flavor of pizza without the crust! This easy casserole combines seasoned ground beef, pizza sauce, mozzarella, pepperoni, mushrooms, peppers, and onions, then bakes until bubbling and golden. Crustless pizza variations commonly use meat, sauce, vegetables, and cheese layered in a baking dish.
Recipe Details
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25–30 minutes
Total Time: 40–45 minutes
Servings: 6
Cuisine: Italian-American
Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients
Pizza Base
1 lb ground beef
1 tbsp olive oil
1 small yellow onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp Italian seasoning
½ tsp dried oregano
½ tsp paprika
½ tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
Sauce & Cheese
1½ cups pizza sauce or marinara sauce
2½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Pizza Toppings
1 cup sliced pepperoni
1 cup sliced mushrooms
½ cup diced green bell pepper
½ cup diced red bell pepper
¼ cup sliced black olives
¼ cup diced onion, optional
¼ tsp red pepper flakes, optional
For Garnish
2 tbsp fresh parsley or basil, chopped
Extra Parmesan, optional
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or olive oil.
- Brown the Beef
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the ground beef and diced onion. Cook for 6–8 minutes, breaking the beef apart with a spoon, until browned and cooked through.
Drain excess grease if necessary.
- Season the Meat
Add minced garlic, Italian seasoning, oregano, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
Cook for another 1 minute, stirring until fragrant.
- Add the Vegetables
Add the mushrooms and bell peppers to the skillet.
Cook for 3–5 minutes, just until the vegetables begin to soften.
- Add the Pizza Sauce
Reduce the heat to low.
Stir in ½ cup of the pizza sauce and mix everything together.
Simmer for about 2–3 minutes.
- Build the Crustless Pizza
Spread the remaining 1 cup pizza sauce across the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
Add the beef and vegetable mixture and spread evenly.
Sprinkle about 1 cup mozzarella over the mixture.
Add the pepperoni, remaining mushrooms, peppers, and black olives.
- Add More Cheese
Top everything with the remaining 1½ cups mozzarella.
Sprinkle Parmesan evenly over the top.
For extra heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes.
- Bake
Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes, until the casserole is hot and the cheese is completely melted and bubbling. Similar crustless pizza bakes use about 20 minutes at 400°F, followed by optional broiling for additional browning.
- Broil for a Golden Top
For an extra crispy, browned cheese topping, switch the oven to BROIL.
Broil for 2–3 minutes, watching closely so the cheese doesn’t burn.
- Rest and Serve
Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 5–10 minutes.
Garnish with fresh parsley or basil and extra Parmesan.
Serve hot.
Topping Ideas
You can customize this just like your favorite pizza:
Italian sausage
Cooked chicken
Bacon
Ham
Ground turkey
Jalapeños
Banana peppers
Spinach
Zucchini
Fresh tomatoes
Artichoke hearts
Green olives
Extra mushrooms
The recipe is very flexible—crustless pizza versions are specifically suited to swapping meats, vegetables, and cheeses according to preference.
All Nut Information
Does this recipe contain nuts?
No. There are no nuts required in this recipe.
Can I add nuts?
You can, although nuts aren’t traditional pizza toppings. If you’d like extra crunch, try:
¼ cup toasted pine nuts
¼ cup chopped walnuts
¼ cup chopped pecans
Add them after baking so they retain their crunch.
Nut-free version
Simply leave out the optional nuts.
Important allergy note
If serving someone with a nut allergy, check the labels of pizza sauce, pepperoni, Parmesan, mozzarella, seasonings, and other packaged ingredients for allergen and cross-contact information.
Approximate Nutrition
Per serving, based on 6 servings:
Calories: 430–480
Protein: 30–34 g
Carbohydrates: 10–14 g
Fat: 30–34 g
Fiber: 2–3 g
Sugar: 5–7 g
Sodium: 800–1,000 mg
Nutrition is an estimate and will vary depending on the meat, cheese, pepperoni, and pizza sauce used.
Recipe Q&A
Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?
Yes. Ground turkey works very well and makes the casserole lighter.
Can I use Italian sausage?
Absolutely. Italian sausage gives the casserole an especially strong pizza flavor.
Can I make this vegetarian?
Yes. Replace the meat with extra mushrooms, zucchini, spinach, bell peppers, olives, or another plant-based meat substitute.
Can I use marinara instead of pizza sauce?
Yes. Marinara works perfectly as a substitute.
How do I prevent the casserole from becoming watery?
Cook the vegetables before assembling the casserole and drain excess liquid from the meat. Mushrooms especially release moisture as they cook.
Can I use frozen vegetables?
Yes, but thaw and drain them first to avoid adding excess water.
Can I make it ahead of time?
Yes. Assemble the casserole, cover it, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Bake until heated through and bubbling.
Can I freeze it?
Yes. Allow it to cool completely, cover tightly, and freeze for up to 2–3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
How long do leftovers last?
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3–4 days.
How do I reheat it?
Reheat individual portions in the microwave or place the casserole in a 350°F (175°C) oven until hot.
Can I make it keto-friendly?
Yes. Use a no-sugar-added, low-carb pizza sauce and check the carbohydrate content of your pepperoni and other toppings. Crustless pizza is commonly adapted for low-carb eating.
Can I make it gluten-free?
Yes. The basic ingredients can be gluten-free, but check your pizza sauce, pepperoni, sausage, seasonings, and other packaged ingredients for gluten and cross-contact.
What cheese works best?
Mozzarella gives the classic pizza stretch. Parmesan adds salty flavor. You can also add provolone, cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Italian cheese blend.
Can I make it spicy?
Definitely! Add jalapeños, banana peppers, hot Italian sausage, or red pepper flakes.
What should I serve with crustless pizza bake?
Serve it with a green salad, Caesar salad, roasted broccoli, zucchini, or garlic green beans for a complete meal.
Can I make individual portions?
Yes. Divide the mixture among oven-safe ramekins and bake until hot and bubbly. Smaller portions generally cook faster, so begin checking early.
