Ultimate Loaded Pizza Bake This hearty casserole combines all your favorite pizza toppings in a deliciously layered dish that's perfect for a family dinner or game day. Ingredients: 1 lb lean ground beef 1 lb sausage mild or spicy, as preferred 1 cup chopped pepperoni 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 4 tsp Italian seasoning, divided 1 26-oz jar tomato basil pasta sauce 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese 1 13.8-oz can refrigerated pizza crust dough 1 Tbsp olive oil 3 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese Instructions: Prepare the Meat Mixture: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and sausage until browned and fully cooked, about 7-8 minutes. Drain any excess fat. Add Seasoning and Pepperoni: Add 2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning and stir in the chopped pepperoni. Sprinkle the flour over the mixture, stirring to coat the meat evenly. Add Sauce and Simmer: Pour in the tomato basil pasta sauce, stirring well to combine. Let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes until it thickens slightly. Remove from heat. Assemble the Casserole: Preheat the oven to 400F (200C). In a 9x13-inch baking dish, layer the meat sauce on the bottom. Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups of mozzarella cheese over the meat mixture. Add the Pizza Crust: Unroll the refrigerated pizza crust dough and lay it over the cheese, stretching to fit the baking dish. Brush the top of the dough with olive oil and sprinkle with the remaining 2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning. Bake and Add Cheese Topping: Bake the casserole for 12-15 minutes until the crust is golden brown. Remove from the oven, sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese over the top, and bake for another 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve: Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving. Cut into squares and enjoy this deliciously hearty, pizza-inspired bake!
