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A fun, family-friendly mashup of two Italian-American favorites. Layers of lasagna noodles, rich meat sauce, pepperoni, and gooey mozzarella cheese, all baked into a comforting casserole. Perfect for a weeknight dinner that everyone will love.
For 8 servings
Prepare the Meat Sauce
Make the Ricotta Filling
Assemble the Casserole
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A fun, family-friendly mashup of two Italian-American favorites. Layers of lasagna noodles, rich meat sauce, pepperoni, and gooey mozzarella cheese, all baked into a comforting casserole. Perfect for a weeknight dinner that everyone will love.
This italian_american recipe takes 105 minutes to prepare and yields 8 servings. At 1091.2 calories per serving with 64.96g of protein, it's a moderately challenging recipe perfect for dinner or lunch.
Bake to Perfection
Rest and Serve
Omit the ground beef and sausage. Instead, use a mix of sautéed vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, spinach, and bell peppers, or substitute with plant-based ground 'meat'.
Use hot Italian sausage instead of sweet, and add 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes to the meat sauce for an extra kick of heat.
Incorporate classic 'supreme' pizza toppings by adding a layer of sautéed bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, and black olives along with the meat sauce.
For a different flavor profile, replace the marinara sauce with a creamy Alfredo or béchamel sauce. This pairs well with chicken instead of beef and sausage.
With a combination of ground beef, Italian sausage, and three types of cheese, this casserole is packed with high-quality protein, which is essential for muscle repair, growth, and overall body function.
The generous amounts of ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese make this dish a great source of calcium, a vital mineral for maintaining strong bones and teeth.
The tomato-based marinara sauce is a good source of lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that has been linked to a reduced risk of certain chronic diseases.
A single serving of this Pizza Lasagna Casserole contains approximately 750-850 calories. The exact number can vary based on the specific brands of ingredients used, such as the fat content of the meat and cheeses.
This dish is a rich and indulgent comfort food, high in protein, fat, and sodium. While delicious, it's best enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet. To make it slightly healthier, you could use lean ground turkey, part-skim cheeses, and add more vegetables to the sauce.
Yes, this is a great make-ahead meal. You can assemble the entire casserole, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or foil, and refrigerate it for up to 48 hours before baking. You may need to add 10-15 minutes to the initial covered baking time.
To freeze, assemble the casserole in a freezer-safe dish but do not bake it. Cover it tightly with a layer of plastic wrap followed by a layer of aluminum foil. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before baking as directed.
Absolutely. If using regular lasagna noodles, cook them according to the package directions until al dente before assembling the casserole. Be sure to drain them well.
A watery lasagna can be caused by a few things: not simmering the meat sauce long enough to thicken, using part-skim ricotta which has a higher water content, or not letting the casserole rest for at least 15 minutes after baking. Resting is essential for the layers to set.