Irresistible Loaded Pizza Bake Recipe: Fast & Flavor-Packed

Pizza lovers seek comfort in every delectable, cheese-laden bite of this ultimate loaded pizza bake.

Culinary magic happens when classic Italian flavors change into a mouthwatering casserole-style dish.

Layers of savory ingredients create a symphony of textures that dance across your palate.

Hearty and satisfying, this recipe reimagines traditional pizza with a clever twist that elevates home cooking.

Melted cheese, robust seasonings, and perfectly crisp edges promise a meal that will quickly become a family favorite.

Crispy edges, gooey center, and bold flavors converge in a single, irresistible dish that redefines comfort food.

How to Make Ultimate Loaded Pizza Bake

Step 1: Brown the Meat

• Heat a large skillet over medium heat
• Cook ground beef and sausage until fully browned (7-8 minutes)
• Drain excess fat from the skillet

Step 2: Enhance the Meat Mixture

• Sprinkle Italian seasoning into the skillet
• Add chopped pepperoni
• Dust flour over the meat mixture
• Stir thoroughly to coat meat evenly

Step 3: Create Savory Sauce

• Pour tomato basil pasta sauce into the skillet
• Mix sauce with meat completely
• Simmer for 5 minutes until sauce slightly thickens
• Remove from heat

Step 4: Prepare Baking Dish

• Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C)
• Spread meat sauce as first layer in 9×13-inch baking dish
• Sprinkle 1 mozzarella cheese over meat layer

Step 5: Add Pizza Crust

• Unroll refrigerated pizza crust
• Stretch dough to cover entire baking dish
• Brush top of dough with olive oil
• Sprinkle remaining Italian seasoning over crust

Step 6: Bake and Finish

• Bake for 12-15 minutes until crust turns golden brown
• Remove from oven
• Sprinkle remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese
• Return to oven
• Bake additional 5 minutes until cheese melts and becomes bubbly

Best Tips for Ultimate Loaded Pizza Bake

• Sear Meat for Maximum Flavor: Brown ground beef and sausage thoroughly to develop deep, rich taste and ensure no raw meat remains.
• Control Sauce Consistency: Simmer sauce slowly to help thicken and concentrate flavors, preventing a watery casserole base.
• Stretch Dough Carefully: Gently pull pizza crust to cover entire dish edge-to-edge, avoiding tears or uneven coverage for perfect texture.
• Oil Brush Technique: Use light olive oil coating on crust to create golden, crispy exterior with beautiful shine and extra flavor.
• Cheese Melting Perfection: Watch cheese during final baking stage, removing when just melted and bubbly to prevent burning or overcooking.

Storing and Reheating Ultimate Loaded Pizza Bake

• Refrigeration: Transfer any remaining pizza bake into an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Seal tightly to prevent moisture loss and maintain optimal flavor.
• Microwave Reheating: Warm individual portions on a microwave-safe plate for 1-2 minutes, checking midway to ensure even heating. Drizzle a few drops of water over the top to help restore moisture and prevent dryness.
• Oven Reheating: Restore the crispy crust by placing leftovers in a preheated 350F oven for 10-15 minutes. Cover loosely with aluminum foil to prevent excessive browning and help the dish heat through evenly, keeping the texture and taste as close to the original as possible.

Pairing Ultimate Loaded Pizza Bake with Drinks

• Pair with Bold Red Wine: Select a robust Chianti or Cabernet Sauvignon to complement the rich meat and pepperoni flavors, cutting through the dish's hearty texture with its tannic notes.
• Crisp Salad Sidekick: Create a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the pizza bake's heavy ingredients, adding a fresh and zesty counterpoint to the rich casserole.
• Cool Ranch Dressing Drizzle: Serve ranch dressing on the side as a dipping sauce, providing a creamy and tangy element that enhances the pizza bake's savory profile and adds an extra layer of indulgence.
• Garlic Bread Companion: Prepare simple garlic bread as a side dish to soak up the delicious sauce and provide an additional carbohydrate element that matches the pizza bake's comfort food style.

Ultimate Loaded Pizza Bake: Fun Variations

• Spicy Chorizo Carnival: Replace ground beef and sausage with spicy chorizo, adding diced jalapeños and a sprinkle of chili flakes for an extra kick of heat.
• Mediterranean Veggie Fusion: Swap meat with roasted zucchini, eggplant, and bell peppers, using feta cheese and adding oregano for a Mediterranean-inspired version.
• Chicken Pesto Paradise: Use shredded rotisserie chicken instead of beef, mix with basil pesto sauce, and top with sun-dried tomatoes for a fresh, herbal flavor profile.
• Breakfast Pizza Bake: Incorporate scrambled eggs, crispy bacon bits, and cheddar cheese, creating a morning-friendly rendition of the classic recipe that works perfectly for brunch.

Ultimate Loaded Pizza Bake: A Comfort Food Classic

• Savor Meaty Flavor Explosion: The combination of ground beef and sausage creates a rich, hearty base that packs an incredible punch of savory goodness, making every bite a delicious meat lover's dream.
• Transform Pizza Night Effortlessly: This casserole-style dish turns traditional pizza into an easy, one-pan meal that requires minimal prep and delivers maximum flavor, perfect for busy weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.
• Achieve Irresistible Cheesy Layers: Multiple cheese layers, including melted mozzarella and sprinkled Parmesan, provide a gooey, stretchy texture that creates mouthwatering depth and satisfying comfort food experience.
• Customize with Endless Possibilities: The versatile recipe allows home cooks to swap ingredients, add extra toppings, or adjust seasonings, making it a flexible meal that adapts to personal taste preferences and pantry contents.

Ingredients for Ultimate Loaded Pizza Bake

• Ground Beef, Sausage: Hearty base for the pizza bake with rich, savory flavor and protein-packed goodness.
• Pepperoni: Classic pizza topping that adds spicy, crispy texture and bold meaty flavor.

• Mozzarella Cheese: Creamy, melty cheese that provides classic pizza stretch and mild, smooth taste.
• Parmesan Cheese: Sharp, aged cheese that brings a nutty and salty dimension to the dish.

• Refrigerated Pizza Crust Dough: Convenient base that creates a golden, crispy foundation for the pizza bake.
• Tomato Basil Pasta Sauce: Rich, herbal sauce that adds moisture and traditional pizza flavor.
• Olive Oil: Helps create a golden, crisp crust with a light, smooth finish.
• Flour: Helps thicken the meat sauce and create a more cohesive texture.
• Italian Seasoning: Blend of herbs that adds authentic pizza flavor and aromatic depth.

Ultimate Loaded Pizza Bake Recipe

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4.6 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Loaded Pizza Bake delivers comfort and excitement in one hearty dish. Layers of savory ingredients merge perfectly, creating a cheesy, flavor-packed meal that satisfies your deepest pizza cravings with minimal effort.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein Ingredients:

• 1 lb (454 grams) lean ground beef
• 1 lb (454 grams) mild or spicy sausage
• 1 cup (150 grams) chopped pepperoni

Cheese and Seasoning Ingredients:

• 2 cups (226 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese
• 3 tablespoons (15 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
• 4 teaspoons Italian seasoning

Base and Additional Ingredients:

• 1 26-ounce (737 grams) jar tomato basil pasta sauce
• 1 13.8-ounce (391 grams) can refrigerated pizza crust dough
• ¼ cup (30 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil

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Instructions

1. Heat a large skillet over medium temperature and thoroughly cook ground beef and sausage until completely browned, approximately 7-8 minutes. Eliminate excess grease by draining the meat mixture.
2. Incorporate of Italian seasoning and chopped pepperoni into the cooked meat. Dust flour over the mixture, stirring comprehensively to ensure even coating.
3. Pour tomato basil pasta sauce into the skillet, blending seamlessly with the meat. Simmer the combination for approximately 5 minutes until the sauce slightly thickens, then remove from heat source.
4. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius). Transfer the meat sauce to a 9×13-inch baking dish, creating an even initial layer. Distribute 1 of mozzarella cheese uniformly across the meat foundation.
5. Carefully unroll the refrigerated pizza crust dough, stretching and positioning it to completely cover the cheese layer. Delicately brush the dough surface with olive oil and sprinkle the remaining of Italian seasoning.
6. Bake the casserole for 12-15 minutes until the crust achieves a golden-brown appearance. Remove from oven and generously top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
7. Return the dish to the oven, baking for an additional 5 minutes or until the cheese transforms into a melted, bubbling surface.

Notes

• Quick and easy one-pan meal that transforms classic pizza flavors into a hearty casserole style dish.
• Packed with protein from ground beef and sausage, making it a satisfying dinner option for meat lovers.
• Perfectly balanced seasoning using Italian herbs ensures robust flavor throughout the entire dish.
• Versatile recipe allows for potential ingredient swaps like different meats or cheese varieties.
• Recommended to drain excess meat fat thoroughly to prevent a greasy final texture.
• Save time by using pre-made pizza crust and pre-shredded cheese for faster preparation.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 515 kcal
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 1150 mg
• Fat: 35 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 35 g
• Cholesterol: 105 mg