This old fashioned pizza casserole has all the cheesy, meaty flavor of a classic supreme pizza - baked into a hearty, bubbly casserole the whole family will love.

A plate of pizza casserole loaded with sausage, pepperoni, veggies, and cheese ready to eat.

It’s layered with Italian sausage, pepperoni, veggies, marinara, and three kinds of cheese. No pasta, no crust, just pure pizza flavor in a spoonable comfort food bake. My grandma used to make a version of this for Friday night dinners in the 80s, always with a side salad and plenty of parmesan on top.

What You Need to Know

Big, bold pizza flavor with gooey cheese, savory sausage, and crispy pepperoni
Make ahead: Assemble the night before, cover, and bake when ready
Freezes well in individual portions for quick lunches or dinners
Lighter twist: Use ground chicken sausage, half the cheese, or sneak in cauliflower rice

Ingredients Overview

Here’s a quick rundown of what goes into this easy pizza casserole recipe:

Italian sausage – Use 2 lbs, or mix in ground beef or chicken sausage for variety.
Fresh garlic & Italian seasoning – Boosts flavor just like pizza sauce.
Onion, bell peppers, mushrooms – These give it that supreme pizza vibe. Skip any if you prefer!
Pepperoni – Layered for that classic pizzeria feel.
Marinara sauce – We love Rao’s for its homemade flavor and no added sugar.
Black olives – Optional, but they add that vintage pizza parlor flair.
Mozzarella, cheddar, and parmesan - A triple-cheese combo for the perfect melt.

A picture of the ingredients needed to make Old Fashioned Pizza Casserole on the counter.

How to Make Old Fashioned Pizza Casserole

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 425°F. Grease a 9x13 baking dish and set aside.

Step 2: In a large skillet, cook the Italian sausage until browned and fully cooked. Remove from pan and set aside, leaving the grease behind (or add a little olive oil if needed).

Image of cooked sausage and veggies in a pan before assembling the casserole

Step 3: In the same skillet, sauté the garlic, chopped onion, bell peppers, mushrooms, and Italian seasoning until softened and fragrant.

Step 4: In the 9x13 dish, layer half of the sausage, veggies, 1 cup marinara, half the cheese, half the pepperoni, and half the olives. Repeat the layers.

Old Fashioned Pizza Casserole assembled in a casserole dish before baking in the oven

Step 5: Bake for 15–20 minutes until bubbly. Broil for 1–2 minutes if desired. Let it rest 5–10 minutes before serving. Garnish with red pepper flakes, chopped parsley, or extra parmesan if you like.

Grandma’s Tips

Use a deep casserole dish so you can layer it generously without spilling over.
Always shred your own cheese - it melts smoother and tastes fresher.

Modern Updates

Swap in cauliflower rice for extra veggies or to lighten things up.
Use turkey or chicken sausage and reduced-fat cheese to cut calories without losing flavor.

More Cozy Casserole Recipes to Try

Cooked Old Fashioned Pizza Casserole being served.

FAQs

What is pizza casserole made of?

Pizza casserole typically includes Italian sausage, pepperoni, cheese, veggies, and marinara sauce - layered like a pizza but baked like a casserole.

Can I freeze pizza casserole?

Absolutely. Cool completely, portion into containers, and freeze. Reheat in the oven or microwave for a quick lunch or dinner.

Can I make pizza casserole ahead of time?

Yes, you can prep it fully, cover, and refrigerate it overnight. Bake as directed the next day, adding a few extra minutes if it’s cold from the fridge.

Old Fashioned Pizza Casserole in a white casserole dish sitting on the table

Easy Pizza Casserole Recipe

This easy pizza casserole recipe is packed with the bold, cheesy flavors of a classic supreme pizza — but baked into a comforting, crustless casserole. Made with Italian sausage, pepperoni, fresh veggies, and marinara sauce, it's a family favorite for weeknights, holidays, or potlucks. Quick to make, easy to customize, and always a crowd-pleaser!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 35

Total Time 50

Servings: 10

Course: Main Course

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

2 pounds Italian sausage swap 1 lb for ground beef or chicken Italian sausage if preferred
3 garlic cloves minced
½ large red onion chopped
1 cup green pepper chopped
1 cup red bell pepper chopped
8 ounces button mushrooms sliced
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
5 ounces pepperoni
2 cups marinara sauce
4 ounces black olives sliced
2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded
1 cup cheddar cheese shredded
½ cup parmesan cheese shredded

Equipment

9x13 casserole dish

Method

Preheat your oven to 425°F. Grease a 9x13 baking dish and set aside.
In a large skillet, cook the Italian sausage until browned and fully cooked. Remove from pan and set aside, leaving the grease behind (or add a little olive oil if needed).
In the same skillet, sauté the garlic, chopped onion, bell peppers, mushrooms, and Italian seasoning until softened and fragrant.
In the 9x13 dish, layer half of the sausage, veggies, 1 cup marinara, half the cheese, half the pepperoni, and half the olives. Repeat the layers.
Bake for 15–20 minutes until bubbly. Broil for 1–2 minutes if desired. Let it rest 5–10 minutes before serving. Garnish with red pepper flakes, chopped parsley, or extra parmesan if you like.

Notes

Shred your own cheese if you can — it melts beautifully and skips the added starches found in pre-shredded bags (plus it's lower in carbs).
Customize it just like your favorite pizza. Don’t love mushrooms or peppers? Skip ’em! You can scale back any veggie to suit your tastes or keep it more low-carb.
Sneak in extra veggies by mixing in a cup or two of sautéed or microwaved cauliflower rice. It blends right in and adds heartiness without changing the flavor.
Rao’s marinara sauce is our go-to — no added sugar, and it tastes like homemade. If you spot it at Costco or Walmart, it’s usually 30% cheaper than regular grocery stores.
No Rao’s? No problem. Use any marinara or pizza sauce you love. This casserole is super forgiving.