Easy Low Carb Pizza Casserole — The Cheesy, Comforting, Guilt-Free Pizza Fix
Craving pizza but trying to stay low carb? This Easy Low Carb Pizza Casserole delivers all the cheesy, saucy, pepperoni-loaded satisfaction of your favorite slice — without the crust, carbs, or guilt. It’s everything you love about pizza transformed into a bubbly, comforting, low-carb baked dish that comes together with minimal prep and maximum flavor.
Whether you’re following keto, reducing carbs for health, or simply want a lighter comfort-food dinner, this casserole gives you the full pizza experience while keeping your macros in check. It’s hearty, flexible, family-friendly, and perfect for busy weeknights when you want something fast, cozy, and irresistibly cheesy.
This recipe is built on the flavors of classic pizza but smartly reimagined: instead of dough, the base is made from seasoned ground meat and low-carb vegetables. The result is a protein-packed, savory foundation that pairs perfectly with marinara, mozzarella, and all your favorite pizza toppings.
Unlike complicated low-carb recipes that require specialty ingredients, this one uses simple pantry staples — meat, cheese, veggies, sauce, and seasonings — and transforms them into a casserole so good you won’t miss the crust. In fact, many people prefer this to actual pizza because it’s more filling, much cleaner, and incredibly customizable.
Below is a full breakdown of ingredients, steps, variations, and tips so you can make the ultimate low-carb pizza bake that fits your lifestyle, taste preferences, and weekly meal plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef (or chicken/turkey)
- 1 cup low-carb marinara or pizza sauce
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms (optional low-carb veggie layer)
- 1 cup chopped bell pepper
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 20–25 slices pepperoni (or more)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Olive oil for sautéing
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Heat a skillet with a drizzle of olive oil. Add onions, bell peppers, mushrooms, and garlic; sauté until softened.
- Add ground beef to the skillet. Cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon. Drain excess grease.
- Season with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Stir in the low-carb marinara or pizza sauce. Simmer 2–3 minutes.
- Transfer the mixture to a casserole dish and spread evenly.
- Layer half of the mozzarella over the meat mixture.
- Add pepperoni slices on top, then sprinkle remaining mozzarella.
- Finish with more pepperoni on top for crisp edges.
- Bake 18–20 minutes until cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly browned.
- Let cool slightly and serve warm.
Easy Low Carb Pizza Casserole
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Heat olive oil in a skillet and sauté onions, bell peppers, mushrooms, and garlic until softened.
- Add ground beef and cook until browned. Drain excess grease.
- Season with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Stir in low-carb marinara and simmer for 2–3 minutes.
- Transfer mixture to a casserole dish and spread into an even layer.
- Top with half of the mozzarella, add pepperoni slices, then sprinkle remaining mozzarella.
- Add extra pepperoni on top for crisp edges.
- Bake 18–20 minutes until bubbly and lightly browned.
- Cool slightly and serve warm.
Notes
Why This Recipe Works Perfectly for Low Carb Diets
Zero crust means low carbs but full flavor
Instead of loading up on bread, this casserole delivers pizza flavor in a naturally low-carb format that satisfies cravings without knocking you out of ketosis.
Loads of protein and healthy fats
With ground meat, mozzarella cheese, and pepperoni, this dish is rich in protein and fats that keep you full longer.
Low-carb vegetables add bulk without carbs
Bell peppers, mushrooms, and onions enhance texture and flavor while maintaining a low-carb profile.
Highly customizable
Keto-friendly? Gluten-free? Dairy-heavy? Dairy-light? This casserole adapts easily.
Meal prep hero
It reheats beautifully — the flavors deepen over time, and it keeps structure well without turning watery.
Tips for the Best Low Carb Pizza Casserole
Use low-carb marinara
Some sauces contain added sugar. Choose a sauce labeled low-carb or check for low sugar content.
Brown the meat well
This builds deeper flavor and prevents the casserole from becoming greasy.
Drain excess liquid from veggies
If using mushrooms or a lot of peppers, sauté them until moisture evaporates to avoid watery results.
For crisp pepperoni
Add extra slices on the very top before baking.
Use a shallow casserole dish
This allows the cheese to brown more evenly.
Variations
1. Keto Supreme Pizza Casserole
Add olives, sausage, extra veggies, and extra cheese.
2. BBQ Chicken Pizza Casserole
Use chicken instead of beef and replace pizza sauce with low-carb BBQ sauce.
3. Vegetarian Low Carb Pizza Casserole
Skip the meat, add more veggies like spinach, zucchini, and olives.
4. White Pizza Casserole
Use Alfredo sauce instead of marinara.
5. Spicy Pizza Bake
Add jalapeños, crushed red pepper, and spicy pepperoni.
Serving Suggestions
- Pair with a low-carb salad like Caesar or spinach salad.
- Add a keto garlic butter drizzle on top.
- Serve with cauliflower breadsticks or almond-flour flatbread.
Storage
Refrigerator:
Lasts 3–4 days in airtight containers.
Freezer:
Freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight before reheating.
Reheat:
Oven at 350°F for 10 minutes or microwave in intervals.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This Easy Low Carb Pizza Casserole lets you enjoy everything you love about pizza without sacrificing your goals or complicating dinner. It’s fast, customizable, deeply satisfying, and perfect for the whole family—even those who aren’t low-carb eaters. It delivers the gooey cheese, bold sauce, savory meat, and crispy pepperoni edges that pizza lovers crave, while keeping every bite wholesome and low in carbs.
