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Easy Low Carb Pizza Casserole Recipe

Easy Low Carb Pizza Casserole Recipe

4.9 from 18 reviews

This Easy Low Carb Pizza Casserole is a delicious, hearty, and comforting meal that combines cauliflower, Italian sausage, pepperoni, and plenty of cheese into a flavorful casserole. Perfect for those looking to enjoy a pizza-inspired dish with fewer carbs, it features layers of veggies, meat, and low-carb pasta sauce baked to perfection. Ideal for family dinners or meal prepping, this recipe is both satisfying and nutritious.

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables

  • 14 ounces cauliflower florets (bite-size)
  • 8 ounces sliced mushrooms
  • 1 green bell pepper (bite-size)

Meats

  • 2 pounds Italian sausage (casings removed if applicable)
  • 2.5 ounces pepperoni slices

Dairy

  • 12 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Other Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1.5 cups low-carb pasta sauce (such as Rao’s marinara)
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Instructions

  1. Prepare and Steam the Cauliflower: Cut the cauliflower into bite-sized florets. Place them in a microwave-safe bowl with 1 cup of water, cover with a damp paper towel, and microwave on high for about 3 minutes, or until tender but not overcooked. Drain and pat dry, then set aside.
  2. Cook the Sausage and Mushrooms: Preheat the oven to 400°F. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the Italian sausage for approximately 15 minutes until fully cooked. Drain excess fat and set aside. In the same skillet, add olive oil and sauté the sliced mushrooms for 10 minutes to remove excess moisture, then set aside.
  3. Prepare the Casserole Dish: Spray a 13×9 inch casserole dish with non-stick spray. Spread ½ cup of the low-carb pasta sauce evenly on the bottom to create the base layer. In a large bowl, combine the steamed cauliflower, cooked sausage, sautéed mushrooms, and green bell pepper. Toss well to mix.
  4. Assemble the Layers: Spread half of the mixed vegetable and meat mixture in the casserole dish. Top with ½ cup of pasta sauce, then half the pepperoni slices, pressing them slightly into the toppings, followed by half (6 ounces) of the shredded mozzarella cheese. Spread the remaining mixture over this layer. Add the remaining ½ cup pasta sauce, then the remaining pepperoni slices (save 10 slices for the top), and the final 6 ounces of mozzarella cheese.
  5. Add Final Toppings and Bake: In a small bowl, mix together the grated Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the casserole. Arrange the reserved 10 slices of pepperoni on top. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes or until heated through and cheese is melted and bubbly.
  6. Serve: Carefully remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your low-carb, hearty, and flavorful pizza casserole!

Notes

  • Do not overcook the cauliflower during steaming to maintain texture.
  • Drain excess fat from sausage to reduce greasiness.
  • Use a good quality low-carb pasta sauce for the best flavor and to keep carb counts low.
  • Feel free to substitute mushrooms or bell peppers with other low-carb vegetables if desired.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 4 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
  • For an extra crispy top, broil the casserole for 2-3 minutes at the end of baking, watching carefully to prevent burning.

Nutrition

Keywords: low carb pizza casserole, cauliflower pizza casserole, keto pizza casserole, Italian sausage casserole, low carb dinner