This keto pizza casserole is one of my favorite easy weeknight dinners when I'm craving pizza but want to keep things low carb. It has all the flavors of a meat lovers pizza with seasoned ground beef, Italian sausage, marinara sauce, gooey melted cheese, and pepperoni baked into one hearty casserole. Even better, this low carb keto pizza casserole is family friendly, simple to make, and perfect for those nights when everyone wants pizza but you don't want to deal with making a crust.
Why You'll Love This Keto Pizza Casserole
This keto pizza casserole is everything you love about pizza in an easy, family-friendly casserole. It's packed with protein, loaded with cheesy pizza flavor, and comes together with simple ingredients you may already have in your kitchen. Whether you're following a keto lifestyle or just looking for a satisfying low carb dinner, this recipe is always a hit.
- All the flavors of a meat lovers pizza without the crust
- Easy one-skillet recipe with minimal cleanup
- High in protein and filling enough for the whole family
- Great for meal prep and leftovers
- Easy to customize with your favorite pizza toppings
- Naturally low carb and keto friendly
- Ready in about 30 minutes
It's easy casseroles like this, my cheeseburger casserole, keto taco casserole, and chicken bacon ranch casserole that make low carb eating so much easier.
What This Keto Pizza Casserole Tastes Like
If you love a classic meat lovers pizza, you're going to love this keto pizza casserole. The combination of seasoned ground beef, Italian sausage, marinara sauce, melted mozzarella, parmesan cheese, and pepperoni creates all of the savory, cheesy flavors of pizza without the crust. Every bite is rich, hearty, and packed with flavor, making it hard to believe it's low carb. Even family members who aren't following a keto diet usually go back for seconds.
Ingredients You'll Need
You only need a handful of simple ingredients to make this keto pizza casserole. The combination of ground beef, Italian sausage, cheese, and pepperoni gives it all the flavors of a classic meat lovers pizza while keeping it low carb and filling.
- Avocado oil - For sautéing the vegetables.
- Onion - Adds flavor and a little sweetness to the meat mixture.
- Green bell pepper - A classic pizza topping that adds color and texture.
- Italian sausage - Brings lots of savory pizza flavor.
- Ground beef - Makes the casserole hearty and protein packed.
- Sugar-free marinara sauce - I like Rao's, but use your favorite low carb marinara or my homemade sugar free marinara sauce.
- Mozzarella cheese - For that gooey melted pizza cheese layer.
- Parmesan cheese - Adds extra cheesy, salty flavor.
- Pepperoni slices - The finishing touch that makes it taste like pizza.
- Black olives - Optional, but great if you love supreme pizza flavors.
See the recipe card below for exact measurements.
How To Make Keto Pizza Casserole
Step 1: Sauté the vegetables
Heat the avocado oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and green bell pepper and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
Step 2: Brown the meat
Add the Italian sausage and ground beef to the skillet. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until browned and cooked through. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then drain any excess grease.
Step 3: Add the sauce
Stir the marinara sauce into the meat mixture until everything is evenly combined. Spread the mixture into an even layer, preparing it for the cheese and toppings.
Step 4: Add the cheese and toppings
Sprinkle the mozzarella and parmesan cheese evenly over the meat mixture. Top with a single layer of pepperoni slices and add the black olives, if using.
Step 5: Broil and serve
Place the skillet under the broiler for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the pepperoni begins to crisp around the edges. Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving.
Topping Variations
One of the best things about this keto pizza casserole is how easy it is to customize. Start with the meat, sauce, and cheese base, then add your favorite pizza toppings to make it your own. I do the same with my Crustless Pizza Recipe.
- Supreme Pizza: Add mushrooms, black olives, green peppers, and onions.
- Meat Lovers: Add cooked bacon, ham, and extra pepperoni.
- Hawaiian Style: Add diced ham. For family members who aren't watching carbs, serve with pineapple on the side.
- Spicy Pizza: Add sliced jalapeños, red pepper flakes, or hot Italian sausage.
- Bacon Cheeseburger Pizza: Add cooked bacon and use cheddar cheese in place of some of the mozzarella.
- Chicken Bacon Ranch: Swap the marinara for ranch dressing and use cooked chicken and bacon.
No matter which toppings you choose, be careful not to overload the casserole or it may become watery as it bakes.
What To Serve With Pizza Casserole
This keto pizza casserole is a complete meal on its own, but adding a simple side can help round out dinner and add some extra vegetables to your plate.
For a low carb meal, serve it with my Roasted Broccoli or a simple side salad with your favorite dressing. Both options pair well with the rich, cheesy flavors of the casserole.
If you're feeding family members who aren't following a low carb lifestyle, this casserole is also delicious with garlic bread, breadsticks, or a side of pasta. That way everyone can enjoy the same main dish without you having to cook separate meals.
Storage And Reheating
Store leftover keto pizza casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors actually get even better the next day, making this a great meal prep option for busy weeks, just like my keto sloppy joes and ground beef stroganoff.
To reheat, microwave individual portions for 1 to 2 minutes or until heated through. You can also reheat larger portions in a 350F oven for about 15 minutes.
This casserole can also be frozen. Let it cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating for the best texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! You can assemble the casserole up to 24 hours in advance and store it covered in the refrigerator. When you're ready to serve, broil it until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Absolutely. The Italian sausage adds extra flavor, but you can use two pounds of ground beef if that's what you have on hand. You may want to add a little Italian seasoning for extra pizza flavor.
Any sugar-free marinara or pizza sauce will work. I usually use Rao's Marinara because it has great flavor and is low in carbs.
Yes. If you don't have a large oven-safe skillet, prepare the meat mixture in a regular skillet and transfer it to a 9x13-inch baking dish before adding the cheese and toppings.
Yes. Let the casserole cool completely, then store it in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Recipe Card
Keto Pizza Casserole with Ground Beef Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon avocado oil
- ½ Onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper diced
- 1 pound Italian Sausage
- 1 pound Ground beef
- 1 sugar free Jar Marinara
- 2 Cups Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
- ½ Cup Grated parmesan
- 30 slices Pepperoni
- ¼ Cup sliced black olives (optional)
Method
- In a large skillet over medium heat, sauté your onions and green peppers in the avocado oil until translucent. (about 5 minutes )
- Add in your sausage and ground beef, chopping and stirring until brown. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Drain the grease from the meat and discard.
- Add in the Raos Marinara Sauce, stirring to combine then flatten the top with a spatula.
- Add both the cheeses to cover the top, followed by a solid layer of pepperoni.
- Add the sliced olives (optional)
- Place skillet in oven on high broil to brown the top.
- Serve. Makes 8 servings
Isabella C. says
Definitely a keeper recipe. Easy to prepare and delicious. Thank you so much.
Holly says
Another kid-approved dinner! I assembled everything the night before and just heated it in the oven, covered, for 20-30 minutes until heated through. Then I removed the foil so that the top could golden up. To increase my protein, I added some cottage cheese (think: lasagna) to my portion.
Jessie says
My husband and I both love this recipe. We make it quite often. Your recipes have so much flavor. Thank you for sharing with us.
T Delgado says
You know ots good when they come back for seconds.. Very simple to make, definitely making this again..
JoAnne says
This recipe is amazing. Super fast & easy to prepare. Hubby was skeptical because pizza should have bread, but you don’t really miss it! This one is a keeper!
Juli says
I love the yellow skillet you use. Can you please tell me the brand or where I can get it. I hope to make this dish soon too. Looks and sounds delicious!
jenniferbanz says
It is Le Creuset. I linked what Amazon has but I do not see the yellow color anymore! https://amzn.to/2YVUyq6
PAMELA VIRGIN says
THE 560 CAL IS THAT FOR THE TOTAL CASSROL?
jenniferbanz says
That is for 1 serving
Vanessa says
Hi, I'm sorry for the silly question, but I'm curious about the nutrition information on your recipes. Unless specified otherwise, is the information given for the entire recipe or for one serving? Your recipes look amazing 🙂 and I can't wait to try them but I wanted to be clear on the nutrition before I start meal planning. Thank you!!
jenniferbanz says
It would be for 1 serving
Eva says
Just finished making this and i failed to check how long to bake it for but basically until cheese melts?
Anita says
Can’t wait to make this tomorrow. I’m going to use 100% Wagyu Beef. This looks so good!!
BC says
Loved this! I used ground turkey as we do not eat red meat. Topped with olives and dried tomatoes in oil. Loved the way it scooped out because it held together and looked great on the plate. The flavor was delicious.
Eva says
Can I use ground turkey in place of Italian sausage?
jenniferbanz says
Yep!
Meagan says
This was delish! I added in mushrooms instead of black olives. The fam LOVED this dish. Would make again!
Tracy says
So very delicious! Made it exactly to your recipe. Even used Rao’s marinara. My husband who has type 2 diabetes and has to watch carbs very closely loved and appreciated it. I struggle to find good, easy low carb recipes and am so happy to have stumbled onto your blog! Looking forward to making more of your recipes because I love to see the contentment on my husband’s face! Thank you!
Dorania M says
Love this one, I used 90/10 ground beef, not greasy. The pepperoni got crispy and I also added chopped kalamata olives, delish ❤
Karla says
This was a hit! The only change I made was mushrooms instead of black olives. Was so good!! Came out of the oven with the cheese lightly toasted and bubbly. The family loved it, will definitely put it in the rotation for dinner.
Joanna says
Do you have a suggestion for adding a bread with the casserole?
jenniferbanz says
DO you mean something keto to go on the side? I have a garlic bread recipe: https://jenniferbanz.com/keto-garlic-bread
Marcy Patterson says
It was absolutely a treat! I loved it!
Can this be frozen?
jenniferbanz says
Yes! I think it would freeze well, just like a lasagna
Aunt JoJo says
Tastes just like pizza. Didn’t have a skillet as large as what was used in the video so I combined everything in a casserole dish then finished with the cheese, pepper and olives. Delicious!!
Kayla says
What is the serving size?
Yvonne says
Delicious!!!! It was a little oily from the cheese and pepperonis. I patted it with a paper towel.. I halved the recipe for two, and had leftovers. It is definitely a keeper and yes 30 minutes from start to finish!
BC Marks says
What a winner!! I used 2lbs of ground turkey because we do not eat red meat. I added the sausage spices (garlic, fennel, sage, etc) right to it, mixed it in and followed your directions exactly. I made it in a 12 inch cast iron skillet and then took it to a pot luck and everyone loved it. This is a keeper!!!
Lucy Barron says
What size of Rao's marinara sauce do you use. I think it comes in 24 oz. and 16 oz. It looked like the smaller size in the video.
jenniferbanz says
I use the 24 ounce jar. I think they come in 24 and 32 ounce jars. The Alfredo comes in 16 ounce jars.
wilhelmina says
This is a scrumptious addition to any keto diet! It's a sure fire hit!
Ashley F says
we loved the combination of the Italian sausage and ground beef! So good!