If you love all the flavors of pizza but want a fun twist on the traditional pie, you are going to absolutely adore this Upside Down Pizza Casserole Recipe. It takes everything you enjoy about a classic pizza—savory sausage, melty cheese, and vibrant tomatoes—and flips the concept on its head by layering it in a skillet with fluffy biscuits right on top. This dish is not only a crowd-pleaser but also ingeniously simple, making it a fantastic dinner idea for busy weeknights or casual family gatherings.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Upside Down Pizza Casserole Recipe calls for straightforward, pantry-friendly ingredients that each bring something unique to the table, from texture to flavor depth. With a combination of hearty meats, fresh veggies, and oozy cheese, these essentials come together to create a luscious and comforting meal.
- Ground Italian sausage: Provides rich, savory flavor and a juicy bite, but you can swap it with ground beef or a mix to your liking.
- Chopped yellow onion: Adds subtle sweetness and a bit of crunch when cooked, enhancing the overall balance.
- Chopped bell pepper: Offers a pop of color and a fresh, slightly sweet flavor to brighten the dish.
- Salt & pepper: Basic but crucial seasonings to elevate and harmonize all the ingredients.
- All-purpose flour: Helps thicken the filling perfectly to avoid a soggy casserole.
- Canned diced tomatoes: Brings juicy acidity and that unmistakable pizza vibe, no need to drain them for extra moisture.
- Canned mushrooms: Adds earthiness and a lovely meaty texture after draining excess liquid.
- Italian seasoning: The perfect herb blend that whispers classic Mediterranean flavors. Fresh basil or oregano work great if you have them.
- Garlic powder: Offers a soft, aromatic punch without overpowering the dish.
- Water or chicken broth: Keeps everything moist while deepening the savory notes.
- Refrigerated biscuits: The star ingredient that forms a golden, fluffy crust on top, providing irresistible texture contrast.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese: Melts to gooey perfection, the hallmark of any good pizza.
- Optional pepperoni slices: For an extra meaty, classic pizza touch that makes the casserole even more exciting.
- Grated Parmesan cheese (optional): A final sprinkle of sharpness to round out each serving beautifully.
How to Make Upside Down Pizza Casserole Recipe
Step 1: Browning the Meat and Vegetables
Start by heating a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add your ground Italian sausage, chopped onion, and bell pepper along with salt and pepper to taste. Cook everything together until the meat is nicely browned and the vegetables have softened slightly. This step builds the foundation for your dish with deep, meaty flavors and aromatic vegetables. Once cooked, drain any excess fat to keep the casserole from becoming greasy.
Step 2: Creating the Flavorful Filling
Sprinkle the flour over your browned meat and veggies and stir well to combine. This is a smart move because the flour will thicken the sauce during simmering. Next, stir in the canned diced tomatoes (don’t drain them), drained mushrooms, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder. Add water or chicken broth to loosen the mixture just enough, then let it simmer until it bubbles and thickens slightly. The result is a rich, savory filling with the perfect consistency to hold up under those biscuits.
Step 3: Assembling the Upside Down Pizza Casserole Recipe
Once your filling is ready, remove the skillet from the heat. Tear your refrigerated biscuits into pieces and arrange them right on top of the filling in the skillet. Then, generously sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the biscuits. If you’re a fan of the classic pizza pepperoni, add slices on top now for an extra burst of flavor. This layering technique is what makes the recipe truly “upside down” – biscuits on top, pizza filling underneath.
Step 4: Baking to Golden Perfection
Pop the skillet into a preheated 400-degree oven. Let it bake uncovered for 14 to 16 minutes until the biscuits have puffed up into a golden brown crust and the cheesy filling bubbles around the edges. The aroma will instantly fill your kitchen, promising a warm, cheesy, and comforting meal waiting to be devoured. After baking, give the casserole about five minutes to set before serving, which helps everything hold together when you scoop your portions.
How to Serve Upside Down Pizza Casserole Recipe
Garnishes
Although this casserole is delicious as is, you can jazz it up with simple garnishes like grated Parmesan cheese for a nutty, salty finish. Fresh basil or a pinch of red pepper flakes can add brightness and a touch of heat, enhancing the flavor complexity even more beautifully.
Side Dishes
Pair your casserole with a crisp green salad tossed in a tangy vinaigrette to cut through the richness, or serve alongside steamed broccoli or roasted vegetables for a vibrant, nutritious complement. Garlic bread works well too if you’re craving extra carbs to soak up all the juicy goodness.
Creative Ways to Present
To impress your friends, serve individual portions in small cast iron skillets or ovenproof ramekins for a rustic, charming presentation. You can also layer additional toppings like sliced olives, caramelized onions, or even a drizzle of pesto on top before baking for a personalized touch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers from your Upside Down Pizza Casserole Recipe, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. The biscuits will soften slightly but the flavors will remain delicious, making it an excellent next-day meal.
Freezing
You can freeze the casserole either before or after baking. Wrap it tightly in foil or plastic wrap and place it in a freezer-safe container for up to two months. When you’re ready, thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers in a 350-degree oven for about 15-20 minutes until warmed through and the biscuit topping regains some of its original crispness. Microwaving works in a pinch but tends to make the biscuits a bit soggy.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of meat?
Absolutely! While the Upside Down Pizza Casserole Recipe traditionally uses Italian sausage, you can swap it for ground beef, turkey, or even a plant-based sausage substitute to suit your preferences or dietary needs.
What can I do if I don’t have refrigerated biscuits?
If biscuits aren’t available, you can use pizza dough or even crescent roll dough for a similar effect. Just adjust the baking time accordingly to ensure it’s fully cooked and golden brown.
Is this casserole suitable for freezing?
Yes, this casserole freezes wonderfully and is perfect for meal prepping. Just be sure to wrap it well to prevent freezer burn, and thaw thoroughly in the fridge before reheating.
Can I add other vegetables?
Definitely! Feel free to stir in extras like spinach, zucchini, or olives in step two to pack in more flavor and nutrition. Just be mindful of moisture content so your casserole doesn’t get watery.
How spicy is this casserole?
This Upside Down Pizza Casserole Recipe is generally mild but flavorful. You can easily add crushed red pepper flakes or use spicy sausage to turn up the heat level to your liking.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend this Upside Down Pizza Casserole Recipe enough—it’s like your favorite pizza and a comforting casserole had the best possible baby! Easy to make, incredibly tasty, and perfect for sharing, it’s a dish you’ll want to keep in your go-to dinner rotation. Give it a try soon and watch it become an instant family favorite!
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Upside Down Pizza Casserole Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6.6 servings
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Upside Down Pizza Casserole combines classic pizza flavors in a comforting skillet bake. Ground Italian sausage, sautéed onions, peppers, mushrooms, and a savory tomato sauce base are topped with biscuit dough and melted mozzarella, creating a quick and satisfying meal perfect for weeknights.
Ingredients
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 pound ground Italian sausage (or ground beef, or a mix)
- 1/2 cup chopped yellow onion (about 1 small)
- 1/2 cup chopped red or green bell pepper (about 1 medium)
Seasonings and Sauce
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes, not drained
- 1 (4-ounce) can mushrooms, drained
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (or fresh basil/oregano)
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 to 1/3 cup water or chicken broth
Toppings and Dough
- 1 (16-ounce) tube refrigerated biscuits
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Optional: pepperoni slices
- Optional: grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
Instructions
- Cook the Meat and Vegetables: In a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat, season the ground Italian sausage (or beef) along with the chopped yellow onion and bell pepper with salt and pepper to taste. Cook the mixture until the meat is fully browned, stirring occasionally, then drain any excess fat.
- Make the Sauce: Stir in one tablespoon of all-purpose flour to the skillet to help thicken the sauce. Add the undrained can of diced tomatoes, drained mushrooms, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder. Mix everything well. Pour in 1/4 to 1/3 cup of water or chicken broth, stir, and let the mixture simmer until it becomes bubbly and slightly thickened. Remove the skillet from the heat afterward.
- Add Biscuit Topping: Break the refrigerated biscuit dough into pieces and arrange them evenly over the meat and vegetable mixture in the skillet. This upside-down layering will create a biscuit crust on top once baked.
- Top with Cheese and Optional Pepperoni: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese generously over the biscuit pieces. Add pepperoni slices on top if using, for a classic pizza touch.
- Bake the Casserole: Place the skillet in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) and bake uncovered for 14 to 16 minutes until the biscuits turn golden brown and the filling is bubbly and hot.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the skillet from the oven and allow the casserole to sit for about 5 minutes before serving. This helps the casserole set and makes it easier to slice. Serve with optional grated Parmesan cheese sprinkled on top if desired.
Notes
- You can substitute ground beef for the sausage or use a combination for varied flavor.
- Fresh herbs like basil or oregano can replace Italian seasoning for a fresher taste.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, simmer a bit longer before adding the biscuit layer.
- Use chicken broth instead of water to add extra flavor.
- Make sure your skillet is ovenproof to bake directly without transferring the mixture.
- Letting the casserole rest after baking helps it hold together when serving.
