Description
This Upside Down Pizza Casserole is a delicious, hearty one-pan meal combining savory seasoned sausage and vegetables in a rich tomato sauce, topped with fluffy biscuit dough and melted mozzarella cheese. Baked to golden perfection, it’s an easy and comforting twist on classic pizza flavors, perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 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)
- Salt & pepper (to taste)
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 (15-oz) can diced tomatoes, not drained
- 1 (4-oz) can mushrooms, drained
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (OR fresh basil/oregano if you have it)
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4-1/3 cup water OR chicken broth
- 1 (16-oz) tube refrigerated biscuits
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Optional: pepperoni slices
- Optional: grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook the Sausage and Vegetables: In a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat, add the ground Italian sausage (or ground beef/mix), chopped onion, and chopped bell pepper. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook until the meat is browned and the vegetables are softened. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
- Prepare the Sauce: Stir the tablespoon of all-purpose flour into the browned meat and vegetable mixture until well combined. Add the undrained can of diced tomatoes, drained mushrooms, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder. Mix everything together thoroughly. Pour in 1/4 to 1/3 cup of water or chicken broth. Simmer the mixture until it becomes bubbly and slightly thickened. Remove the skillet from heat.
- Add the Biscuit Topping: Tear the refrigerated biscuit dough into pieces and arrange them evenly over the meat and vegetable mixture in the skillet. Then sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly on top. If using, add pepperoni slices over the cheese layer.
- Bake the Casserole: Place the skillet in a preheated oven at 400°F (204°C). Bake uncovered for 14 to 16 minutes, or until the biscuits are golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
- Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it sit for 5 minutes to set. Serve warm with optional grated Parmesan cheese sprinkled on top if desired.
Notes
- You can substitute ground beef or a mixture of ground beef and sausage if preferred.
- If fresh herbs are available, use basil or oregano instead of Italian seasoning for a fresher flavor.
- Adjust the amount of water or chicken broth slightly to get the desired consistency of the sauce.
- Make sure to use an ovenproof skillet for seamless transition from stovetop to oven.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated but crispiness of biscuits may reduce.
- For a spicier version, add crushed red pepper flakes to the meat mixture while cooking.
