Family friendly and a crowd pleaser, this Puffed Up Pizza Casserole has a ground beef layer topped with an easy, cheesy homemade dough layer. This one is a hit with kids and adults!
Count me in for all of the easy, weeknight casserole recipes! If you’re looking to add even more to your menu, check out this Taco Casserole or Corn Dog Casserole.
As a food blogger, you’d assume that I’m always on top of everything food – the latest trends, what people want, what is the rage on Pinterest. But the truth of the matter is that even though I’m immersed in all things food for hours every day, I still have no clue most of the time.
I came across a recipe for this pizza casserole, and thought to myself – hey, this sounds good. My kids love pizza, so I bet they will love it! Little did I know that a Puffed Up Pizza Casserole has been done about a million times. It’s one of those recipes that people talk about eating as a child years and years ago. And here I had never even heard of it.
But I can tell why this is such a popular dish. While I’m not sure it screams “pizza”, the flavors are all great and it’s a hearty, comforting dish. Most of the recipes that I have come across use canned biscuit dough, but I love that this is made from scratch since I don’t usually have canned biscuits on hand. And I made up my own combination of spices where most recipes call for a spaghetti sauce mix. It really was just as easy to make this from pantry staples than it would have been to use convenience items! Next time I might add in some diced pepperoni to really make it taste like pizza, but we all gobbled this right up!!
If you have pizza loving kids – I’m sure this would be a hit at your house, too!
How to Make this Puffed Up Pizza Casserole Recipe
You’ll start by browning the ground beef, then adding in some onions and green peppers. To this, add tomato sauce and a whole bunch of seasonings. It looks like a long list, but these are all seasonings I keep on hand all the time. Let this simmer to reduce just a bit.
To make the topping, combine milk, melted butter and eggs and beat them to combine. Beat in some flour. The mixture will be quite thin.
Place the ground beef mixture in a large casserole dish, then carefully pour the topping mixture over the top.
Top that all off with cheese, then bake until it is cooked through and the cheese is all melted.
Puffed Up Pizza Casserole Video
Watch the video above to see just how easy this casserole is.
More Pizza Inspired Recipes
Stuffed Pizza Rolls
Pizza Cups
Pizza Bagels
Homemade Pizza Roll Recipe
Pizza Grilled Cheese
Pizza Dogs
Tools Used to Make this Puffed Up Pizza Casserole
I have a whole stack of affordable casserole dishes that I use pretty much every day.
You can use any large skillet, but I love my 12-inch cast iron skillet.
If you want, you can whisk the topping with a whisk, but I find it’s easier to use my hand mixer.
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Puffed Up Pizza Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lbs ground beef
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 1 cup chopped green bell pepper
- 15 oz can tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tablespoon minced dry onion
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon celery salt
- 1 cup milk
- 1/4 cup butter melted
- 2 eggs lightly beaten
- 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 8 oz shredded Mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned, breaking up as you cook it. Drain, if necessary, and then stir in the onion and green bell pepper. Let the vegetables cook for a couple minutes, then add the tomato sauce and water and stir to combine. Add the dry onion, cornstarch, oregano, basil, sugar, salt, garlic powder, and celery salt. Stir to combine, then cover the pan, reduce the heat to low and let simmer for 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 400F.
- In a medium bowl, combine the milk, butter, oil and eggs and beat on medium speed for 1 minute. Add the flour, and then beat for 2 more minutes. (The batter will be thin.)
- Pour the meat mixture into a 9×13-inch baking dish. Pour the liquid mixture evenly over the top of the meat. Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese on top, followed by the Parmesan.
- Bake in the preheated oven until puffed and golden, about 30 minutes. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.
julie says
This reminds me of a hamburger helper pizza bake recipe from my childhood. While I wouldn’t serve HH, I loved it as a kid and I’ve always wanted a sub recipe for it. Thanks!
Jolene Beard says
No baking powder in the top crust? Mine is baking right now so it won’t help me, but would like to know.
Deborah says
Nope – no baking powder. Hope you love it!
Peggy says
I’ve never heard of it either! Can’t wait to try it!
michele says
Can you double this recipe?
Deborah says
You shouldn’t have a problem doubling it. You’ll probably need 2 pans, though, because I’m guessing you don’t have one that is big enough to put it all in one pan.
jae says
The batter looks like it’s on the bottom from the pics but your directions say pour it on to of the meat mixture. So will the batter seep thru the meat mixture or will it stay on to under the cheese?
Deborah says
It mostly stays on top of the meat. Some of it might get in with the meat mixture, but it mostly is on top.
Chels R. says
I would almost make this tonight, but I don’t have all the beef on hand. This looks fantastic! I can’t wait to try this.
Jennifer Gober says
I know this is probably being lazy but in a time crunch could you use a good jar of spaghetti sauce? I usually doctor it up anyway but I was worried because of the cornstarch in the recipe it might not work.
Deborah says
You definitely could!! The spice mixture (including the cornstarch) is actually just a sub for dry packaged spaghetti sauce mix, but since I never keep those on hand I just used spices I had. But you could definitely use jarred sauce!
Kathleen says
Do you think puff pastry sheet could be substitued for the dough?
Deborah says
I haven’t tried it, so I’m not sure, but I would think so. It would change the end recipe a bit, but I love puff pastry so I’m guessing it would be delicious!
z says
I’m a single guy who doesn’t cook very often but I would like to try this. I’m also very low on cash so I was wondering if the batter can wired whisked instead of beaten.
Deborah says
Definitely!
Joanne says
Don’t feel bad, because I’ve never heard of this either! not sure how in all its cheesy glory. Wow. Comfort heaven.
Lori says
I made a version of this yesterday, it was great! I used sweet sausage with a little of hot mixed in, and added more mozzarella cheese.
Deborah says
Your version sounds great – so glad you loved it!
Carol at Wild Goose Tea says
Geez I never heard of puffed up pizza before either. So I appreciate the recipe. I pinned it. It looks delicious. There is no doubt that it would be a crowd pleaser especially at a pot luck.
Liz says
Thank you for the nice recipe.
Erin @ Simple Sweet & Savory says
YUM! My husband LOVES pizza and could have it every day. I, on the other hand, could not. This is a great spin on the traditional pizza. I gotta try this!
Tieghan says
WOW. This looks so amazingly delicious!! Prefect meal for a family..or just me!
Annie @ Annie's Noms says
Absolutely LOVING this!! Pizza is one of the best things in the world and this is such a comforting version, can’t wait to make this, it’s miserable and raining outside so I could do with a big plate!