Name: Easy Bubble Up Pizza Casserole - Beef & Cheese
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 6-8 servings
Ingredients: 1 pound lean ground beef; 1 small onion, diced; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 can (15 ounces) pizza sauce; 1 package (12 ounces) refrigerated biscuit dough, cut into quarters; 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese; 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese; 1/2 cup sliced pepperoni; 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; Salt and pepper to taste; Cooking spray

Bubble Up Pizza Casserole, oh how we adore you! There’s something undeniably magical about a dish that manages to capture the comforting essence of pizza in an entirely new, spoonable format. It’s the ultimate weeknight warrior, a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that transforms simple ingredients into a bubbling, cheesy masterpiece. People love this Bubble Up Pizza Casserole because it’s effortlessly fun to make, requiring minimal prep and delivering maximum flavor. Forget fussing with dough; here, the Pillsbury biscuits magically “bubble up” to create perfect little pockets of pillowy goodness, soaking up all that savory pizza sauce and gooey mozzarella. What truly makes this dish special is its incredible versatility. Load it up with your favorite pizza toppings – pepperoni, mushrooms, onions, peppers – the possibilities are as endless as your pizza cravings.

Ingredients:

1 pound lean ground beef (or ground turkey or sausage)
1 small onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 can (15 ounces) pizza sauce
1 package (12 ounces) refrigerated biscuit dough (like Pillsbury Grands), cut into quarters
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional for extra cheesiness)
1/2 cup sliced pepperoni
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking spray for greasing the baking dish

Prepare the Foundation: Browning the Meat and Aromatics

The first step in creating our incredible Bubble Up Pizza Casserole is to get our savory meat base ready. Grab a large skillet and place it over medium-high heat. Add your pound of lean ground beef, ground turkey, or sausage. If you’re using a fattier meat like sausage, you might want to drain off some of the excess grease after it cooks. Break up the meat with a spoon as it browns, aiming for small, crumbly pieces. Once the meat is no longer pink and is nicely browned, it’s time to add our aromatics. Toss in the diced small onion and sauté it with the meat for about 3-5 minutes, or until it begins to soften and become translucent. This is where the magic starts to happen, as the onion releases its sweet, pungent flavor into the meat mixture. Next, add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it can turn bitter. Season this delicious mixture generously with salt and pepper to your liking. Then, stir in the Italian seasoning and garlic powder. These spices will infuse the entire casserole with that classic pizza flavor we all love. Make sure everything is well combined.

Building the Pizza Flavor Profile

Now that our meat and onion mixture is beautifully seasoned and fragrant, it’s time to introduce the soul of our pizza: the sauce. Pour the entire 15-ounce can of pizza sauce over the browned meat and onion. Stir everything together thoroughly, ensuring that every piece of meat and onion is coated in the rich, tomatoey sauce. Let this mixture simmer for about 5 minutes over medium-low heat. This simmering time allows the flavors to meld together beautifully, creating a robust and delicious sauce base for our Bubble Up Pizza Casserole. Taste the sauce at this point and adjust the salt and pepper if you feel it needs a little extra oomph. This is your chance to personalize the flavor! If you prefer a slightly sweeter sauce, you could even add a tiny pinch of sugar, though the pizza sauce usually has enough sweetness on its own.

Assembling the “Bubble Up” Layers

This is where the “bubble up” magic really begins! Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius). Take your greased 9×13 inch baking dish. This dish is the perfect size to hold all the delicious layers of our casserole. Open your package of refrigerated biscuit dough. It’s important to ensure the dough is at room temperature, which makes it easier to cut. Using kitchen shears or a knife, cut each biscuit into four equal pieces. You’ll end up with plenty of little dough bites. Scatter these biscuit quarters evenly over the bottom of your prepared baking dish. Don’t worry about them being perfectly spaced; they will puff up and expand as they bake. This creates the fluffy, delightful pockets that give this casserole its name.

Layering the Cheesy Goodness and Pepperoni

With our biscuit base in place, it’s time to add the generous layers of cheese and pepperoni. Spoon the meat and sauce mixture evenly over the biscuit pieces. Try to distribute it as uniformly as possible, ensuring that each biscuit gets a good coating. Now, let’s get cheesy! Sprinkle one cup of the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the meat and sauce layer. If you’re using the cheddar cheese for extra cheesiness, now is the time to add it, sprinkling it over the mozzarella. Finally, arrange the sliced pepperoni over the cheese layer. This will create that classic pizza topping experience. As the casserole bakes, the pepperoni will crisp up slightly, releasing its delicious savory oils. For those who like a lot of cheese, feel free to add the remaining cup of mozzarella cheese on top of the pepperoni. This will create a beautiful, gooey, cheesy crust.

Baking to Golden Perfection

Now for the grand finale! Place the assembled Bubble Up Pizza Casserole into your preheated oven. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the biscuits are golden brown and puffed up, and the cheese is melted and bubbly. You want to see those glorious pockets of biscuit dough risen and tender, surrounded by melted, slightly browned cheese. Keep an eye on it during the last few minutes of baking to ensure it doesn’t over-brown. If the top seems to be browning too quickly, you can loosely tent it with aluminum foil. Once it’s out of the oven, resist the urge to dig in immediately! Let the casserole rest for about 5-10 minutes before serving. This resting period allows the flavors to settle and makes it much easier to slice and serve. The aroma filling your kitchen will be absolutely incredible, a testament to the deliciousness that awaits. Enjoy every cheesy, saucy, meaty bite of your homemade Bubble Up Pizza Casserole!

Conclusion:

And there you have it – a delicious and incredibly satisfying Bubble Up Pizza Casserole! This recipe is a weeknight hero, proving that you don’t need to spend hours in the kitchen to create a crowd-pleasing meal. The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity and adaptability, allowing you to tailor it to your family’s specific pizza cravings. The fluffy biscuit dough soaking up all those savory pizza flavors is truly a magical combination. I hope you enjoy making and devouring this easy and fun casserole as much as I do!

Serving Suggestions: This Bubble Up Pizza Casserole is a complete meal on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with a crisp green salad dressed with your favorite vinaigrette. A side of garlic bread or some roasted vegetables would also be fantastic additions. It’s perfect for casual family dinners, potlucks, or even a fun weekend lunch.

Variations: Don’t be afraid to experiment with this recipe! You can swap out the pepperoni for cooked Italian sausage, ham, or even sautéed mushrooms and peppers for a vegetarian option. Add extra veggies like diced onions, bell peppers, or olives. For a spicier kick, include a pinch of red pepper flakes or a drizzle of hot sauce.

I encourage you to give this Bubble Up Pizza Casserole a try. It’s a recipe that’s sure to become a family favorite, bringing smiles and full bellies with every bite. Happy cooking!

Frequently Asked Questions about Bubble Up Pizza Casserole:

Q1: Can I make this Bubble Up Pizza Casserole ahead of time?

A1: Yes, you can! You can assemble the casserole (without baking) and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. You may need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time if baking from cold. For best results, let it sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before baking.

Q2: What kind of biscuit dough should I use?

A2: Refrigerated flaky or buttermilk biscuit dough works best for this recipe. You want biscuits that are soft and will puff up nicely, absorbing the sauce and toppings. Avoid dense or savory types of biscuits as they might not yield the same texture.