Name: Bubble Up Pizza Casserole - Easy Family Dinner
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 6-8 servings
Ingredients: 1 pound lean ground beef; 1 small onion, finely 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 beef pepperoni; 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste; Cooking spray

Bubble Up Pizza Casserole has become an absolute sensation in kitchens everywhere, and for good reason! This isn’t just another weeknight dinner; it’s a comforting, crowd-pleasing masterpiece that effortlessly brings together the best elements of your favorite pizza in a wonderfully easy casserole format. Imagin extracte all the gooey cheese, savory pizza sauce, and your choice of delicious toppings, all enveloped in fluffy, tender biscuit dough. It’s the ultimate comfort food, perfect for busy families, game nights, or simply when you’re craving something incredibly satisfying without the fuss of traditional pizza making. What truly sets this Bubble Up Pizza Casserole apart is its ingenious use of refrigerated biscuits, which puff up and absorb all those incredible pizza flavors, creating little pockets of cheesy, saucy goodness in every bite. Get ready to impress yourself and everyone at your table with this incredibly simple yet ridiculously delicious dish!

Ingredients:

1 pound lean ground beef (or ground turkey or sausage for a lighter or richer flavor)
1 small onion, finely diced
2 cloves garlic, minced (or 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder if you prefer)
1 can (15 ounces) pizza sauce (your favorite brand works perfectly)
1 package (12 ounces) refrigerated biscuit dough (such as Pillsbury Grands), with each biscuit cut into quarters
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (low-moisture, part-skim is ideal for good melting)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional, but highly recommended for an extra layer of cheesy goodness)
1/2 cup sliced beef beef pepperoni (or tubeef pepperonieroni for a leaner option)
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (a blend of oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary is common)
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (if you didn’t use fresh garlic or want a more pronounced garlic flavor)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Cooking spray (or a little butter/oil) for greasing your baking dish

Brown the Beef and Sauté Aromatics

Step 1: Prepare the Meat Mixture

Begin extract by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). While the oven is warming up, grab a large skillet and place it over medium-high heat. Add your pound of lean ground beef to the hot skillet. Break it up with a spoon or spatula as it cooks. You want to cook the beef until it is no longer pink and is nicely browned. Once browned, carefully drain off any excess grease. This step is crucial for a less oily casserole. After draining, return the skillet to medium-low heat. Add your finely diced small onion to the skillet with the browned beef. Stir and cook for about 5-7 minutes, or until the onion becomes translucent and tender. Then, add your minced garlic to the skillet. Cook for another minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as this can make it bitter. Season this mixture with salt and freshly ground black pepper to your liking. This forms the savory base of our Bubble Up Pizza Casserole.

Assemble the Casserole Layers

Step 2: Incorporate Pizza Sauce and Seasonings

Now it’s time to build the flavor profile. Pour the entire 15-ounce can of pizza sauce into the skillet with the beef, onion, and garlic mixture. Stir everything together thoroughly to ensure the sauce coats the meat and aromatics evenly. Next, sprinkle in the teaspoon of Italian seasoning and the 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder. If you are using fresh garlic, you might want to adjust the garlic powder to your preference, but this amount usually provides a nice background note. Stir these seasonings into the sauce mixture. Allow this mixture to simmer gently for about 5 minutes. This simmering period helps meld the flavors and thicken the sauce slightly, making it more delicious and cohesive for the casserole.

Step 3: Add the Biscuit Beef Pepperoni Pepperoni

This is where the “bubble up” magic starts to happen! Take your package of refrigerated biscuit dough. Carefully unroll or open the package and gently separate the biscuits. Following the instruction on the ingredient list, cut each biscuit into quarters. You’ll want approximately 4 pieces per biscuit. Scatter these biscuit pieces evenly over the top of the simmering pizza sauce and meat mixture in the skillet. Try to distribute them so they aren’t too clumped together. Once the biscuit pieces are in place, evenly distribute the 1/2beef pepperoniliced pepperoni over the top of the beef pepperoniieces. The pepperoni will crisp up slightly as it bakes and add that classic pizza flavor we all love.

Bake to Golden Perfection

Step 4: Top with Cheese and Bake

Now for the cheesy finnon-alcoholic ale! Sprinkle the 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly ovebeef pepperonicuit pieces and pepperoni. If you’re opting for the extra cheesiness, sprinkle the 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the mozzarella. Make sure to cover the entire surface of the casserole with cheese for that irresistible pull and gooey texture. At this point, you have two options for baking. You can either transfer the contents of the skillet to a greased 9×13 inch baking dish (this is often easier for serving and ensures even baking) or, if your skillet is oven-safe, you can bake it directly in the skillet. Grease your chosen baking dish or skillet with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Place the dish or skillet into the preheated oven.

Step 5: Bake Until Bubbly and Golden Brown

Bake the Bubble Up Pizza Casserole for approximately 25-35 minutes. The exact baking time will depend on your oven and how evenly your biscuits cook. You are looking for a few key indicators of doneness. The biscuit pieces should be puffed up, golden brown, and cooked through. You should see the cheese melted, bubbly, and lightly browned in spots. The sauce underneath should also be bubbling around the edges. If the top is browning too quickly but the biscuits aren’t cooked through, you can loosely tent the dish with aluminum foil for the last 10-15 minutes of baking. Once it’s baked to perfection, carefully remove the casserole from the oven. Let it rest for about 5-10 minutes before serving. This resting period allows the casserole to set slightly, making it easier to scoop and serve, and prevents the molten cheese from burning your mouth! Enjoy your delicious homemade Bubble Up Pizza Casserole.

Conclusion:

And there you have it – your very own delicious Bubble Up Pizza Casserole! This recipe is a testament to how simple ingredients can come together to create a comforting and incredibly satisfying meal. The beauty of this Bubble Up Pizza Casserole lies in its versatility and the sheer joy it brings to the table. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family, hosting a casual get-together, or simply craving a taste of pizza in a new, exciting format, this casserole is sure to be a hit. Feel free to get creative with your toppings; this dish is a fantastic canvas for all your favorite pizza ingredients. Don’t be afraid to experiment and make it your own!

Frequently Asked Questions about Bubble Up Pizza Casserole:

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

Absolutely! You can assemble the Bubble Up Pizza Casserole up to 24 hours in advance. Store it covered in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to bake, you may need to add a few extra minutes to the cooking time to ensure it’s heated through completely.

What are some other topping ideas for my Bubble Up Pizza Casserole?

The possibilities are endless! Beyond the classic beef pepperoni, consider adding cooked Italian sausage, mushrooms, onions, bell peppers, olives, spinach, or even a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a little heat. Just ensure any vegetables are pre-cooked to avoid excess moisture in the casserole.