Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Combines the flavors of pizza with the ease of a one-pan casserole.
- Kid-friendly and customizable with nearly any pizza topping.
- Quick to prep with simple ingredients.
- Perfect for busy weeknights, potlucks, or casual gatherings.
- Leftovers reheat beautifully.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Refrigerated biscuit dough (regular or buttermilk style)
- Pizza sauce or marinara sauce
- Ground beef, sausage, or pepperoni (or a combination)
- Shredded mozzarella cheese
- Shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
- Italian seasoning
- Onion or garlic (optional)
- Preferred pizza toppings (mushrooms, olives, bell peppers, etc.)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional garnish: parmesan cheese or fresh parsley
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 190 °C (375 °F).
- Brown your meat of choice in a skillet, seasoning lightly with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Drain excess fat.
- Stir in pizza sauce and any optional aromatics or vegetables. Simmer for a few minutes.
- Cut the biscuit dough into small bite-sized pieces.
- Gently fold the biscuit pieces into the meat mixture until evenly coated.
- Transfer everything into a greased casserole dish.
- Top with mozzarella and additional cheddar if desired.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the biscuits have puffed, the casserole is bubbling, and the cheese is melted and golden.
- Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Servings and timing
Serves: 6–8 people
Prep time: ~10 minutes
Cook time: ~25–30 minutes
Total time: ~35–40 minutes
Variations
- Pepperoni-Only Version: Skip the meat and fold in sliced pepperoni with the sauce and biscuits.
- Supreme Style: Add mushrooms, olives, bell peppers, and onions for a fully loaded casserole.
- Cheeseburger Bubble Up: Use ground beef, cheddar cheese, and a touch of ketchup-mustard mixed into the sauce.
- Spicy Italian: Use hot Italian sausage and add crushed red pepper.
- Vegetarian: Swap meat for extra vegetables such as zucchini, spinach, or caramelized onions.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
- Freezing: Store in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Reheating: Warm in a 180 °C (350 °F) oven for 10–12 minutes, or microwave individual portions until heated through. Add foil when reheating larger portions to prevent drying out.
FAQs
How do I know when the biscuits are fully cooked?
The casserole is ready when the biscuits have puffed, feel firm when lightly pressed, and the center is no longer doughy.
Can I use homemade pizza dough instead of biscuit dough?
It won’t “bubble up” the same way, but you can layer torn pieces of dough throughout the casserole for a similar effect.
Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
Yes. Assemble everything except the biscuit pieces, add them just before baking to keep the texture light and fluffy.
What size casserole dish should I use?
A 9×13-inch dish works best for even cooking and bubbling.
Can I use low-fat cheese?
Yes, but full-fat melts more smoothly and provides richer flavor.
Do I need to precook vegetables?
High-moisture vegetables such as mushrooms or peppers can be lightly sautéed to prevent extra liquid in the casserole.
Can I use a different sauce?
Marinara, garlic-parmesan, or even a creamy Alfredo base all work well.
How can I make it crispier on top?
Bake uncovered and broil for the last 1–2 minutes, watching closely.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes, but use two separate dishes to ensure even baking.
How can I reduce the richness?
Use turkey sausage or lean ground meat, and increase the ratio of vegetables.
Conclusion
Bubble Up Pizza Casserole is an easy, crowd-pleasing dish that turns classic pizza ingredients into a cozy, bubbly bake. With endless topping combinations and simple preparation, it’s a reliable choice for weeknights or gatherings. Enjoy its comforting flavors and playful texture any time pizza cravings hit.
PrintBubble Up Pizza Casserole
A warm, cheesy pizza-inspired casserole made with biscuit dough, pizza sauce, meat, and your favourite toppings that puff up into a fun, hearty bake.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25–30 minutes
- Total Time: 35–40 minutes
- Yield: 6–8 servings
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
- 1 can refrigerated biscuit dough (regular or buttermilk)
- 2 cups pizza sauce or marinara
- 450 g ground beef, sausage, or sliced pepperoni
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 small onion or 2 garlic cloves, optional
- 1–2 cups preferred toppings (mushrooms, olives, bell peppers, etc.)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional: grated Parmesan or fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 190°C (375°F).
- Brown chosen meat in a skillet with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Drain excess fat.
- Add pizza sauce and any optional vegetables or aromatics; simmer for a few minutes.
- Cut biscuit dough into bite-sized pieces.
- Fold biscuit pieces gently into the meat and sauce mixture.
- Transfer mixture into a greased 9×13-inch casserole dish.
- Top with mozzarella and optional cheddar.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes until biscuits are puffed, cheese is melted, and casserole is bubbling.
- Let rest 5 minutes, garnish, and serve.
Notes
- Sauté high-moisture vegetables first to avoid excess liquid.
- For extra crispiness, broil the top for 1–2 minutes.
- Add biscuit pieces only right before baking for best texture.
- Use full-fat cheese for smoother melting.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 980 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg