Easy Low Carb Pizza Casserole – A Cozy, Cheesy, Family-Friendly Dinner Without the Carbs

If you’ve been searching for a crowd-pleasing, weeknight-friendly dinner that satisfies every pizza craving without the heavy carbs, this Easy Low Carb Pizza Casserole will become your new go-to meal. It’s the perfect combination of cheesy comfort food and smart low-carb cooking, delivering everything you love about pizza — the savory sauce, melty cheese, bold Italian seasoning, and your favorite toppings — in a warm, bubbly casserole that fits beautifully into low-carb, keto, diabetic-friendly, and gluten-free lifestyles.

What makes this casserole extra special is how fast it comes together. You simply brown your meat, layer with low-carb marinara and veggies, top it with mozzarella and pepperoni, and bake until perfectly golden and irresistible. It’s meal-prep friendly, freezer-friendly, kid-friendly, and ridiculously customizable. Whether you are cooking for picky eaters or carb-conscious grownups, this casserole has a way of making everyone at the table happy.

In this in-depth article, you’ll find everything you need: detailed instructions, tips, variations, serving ideas, and a complete JSON for your recipe organizer. Let’s dive in!

Why You’ll Love This Low Carb Pizza Casserole

✔ Low carb and keto-friendly — No crust, no flour, no guilt.
✔ Ready in under an hour — With only 10–15 minutes of prep.
✔ Family-friendly comfort food — Even picky eaters love it!
✔ Easy to customize — Choose any pizza toppings you love.
✔ Great for meal prep — Stores and reheats beautifully.
✔ Budget-friendly ingredients — Pantry staples + simple add-ins.

This recipe gives you everything you love about pizza night without spending hours in the kitchen or sabotaging your macros.

Ingredients

For the Casserole Base

• 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey)
• 1 tbsp olive oil (if needed)
• 1 small onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup sliced mushrooms
• 1 cup low-carb marinara sauce
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp dried oregano
• ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
• ¼ tsp black pepper

Cheese Layer

• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup grated parmesan cheese

Toppings

• 20–25 pepperoni slices
• ¼ cup sliced black olives (optional)
• ¼ cup chopped green bell pepper (optional)
• Fresh basil for garnish

Instructions

1. Preheat Your Oven
   Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease an 8×8 or 9×9 casserole dish and set it aside.
2. Cook the Meat
   In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef. Drain excess fat if needed. Add onions and garlic, cooking until soft and fragrant.
3. Add Vegetables and Seasoning
   Stir in mushrooms, Italian seasoning, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 3–4 minutes until mushrooms soften.
4. Add the Marinara Sauce
   Pour in the low-carb marinara sauce and mix well. Let the mixture simmer for 2 minutes to blend flavors.
5. Assemble the Casserole
   Transfer the meat mixture to your prepared casserole dish, spreading evenly. Sprinkle with 1½ cups mozzarella and all the parmesan.
6. Add the Pizza Toppings
   Top with pepperoni slices, black olives, and bell peppers — or choose your own combinations.
7. Bake
   Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, golden, and bubbling around the edges.
8. Cool and Serve
   Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil if desired.

Easy Low Carb Pizza Casserole

A cheesy, comforting low carb pizza casserole packed with flavor, perfect for keto and gluten-free meals.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Course: Dinner, Main

Cuisine: American, Low Carb

Calories: 310

Ingredients

  

Casserole Base

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 tbsp olive oil optional
• 1 onion diced
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1 cup mushrooms sliced
• 1 cup low-carb marinara sauce
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 0.5 tsp dried oregano
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 0.25 tsp black pepper

Cheese Layer

• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 0.5 cup grated parmesan cheese

Toppings

• 20-25 slices pepperoni
• 0.25 cup black olives sliced, optional
• 0.25 cup green bell pepper chopped, optional

Equipment

• Skillet
• Casserole dish
• Mixing spoon
• Oven

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a casserole dish.
2. Brown ground beef in a skillet, then add onions and garlic.
3. Add mushrooms, seasonings, and marinara; simmer briefly.
4. Transfer mixture to casserole dish and top with mozzarella and parmesan.
5. Add pepperoni, olives, and bell peppers on top.
6. Bake for 20–25 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
7. Cool slightly, garnish with basil, and serve.

Notes

Use your favorite pizza toppings for endless variations.

Tips for the Best Low Carb Pizza Casserole

Use the Right Marinara

Look for a low-sugar or no-sugar-added marinara, which keeps carbs low and flavors bold. Popular brands include Rao’s, Yo Mama’s, and Primal Kitchen.

Choose High-Moisture Veggies Carefully

If using watery veggies like zucchini or spinach, sauté them first to avoid a watery casserole.

Swap the Protein

This casserole works with:

• Ground sausage
• Ground turkey
• Shredded chicken
• Italian sausage

Meal Prep Tip

Portion the casserole into single-serve containers and refrigerate for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Topping Variations

This casserole is ultra-versatile. Try it with:

Classic Supreme

• Pepperoni
• Sausage
• Mushrooms
• Onions
• Bell peppers
• Olives

Meat Lover’s

• Pepperoni
• Sausage
• Bacon
• Ground beef

Veggie Lover’s

• Mushrooms
• Spinach
• Broccoli
• Bell peppers
• Zucchini

White Pizza Style

• Replace marinara with Alfredo
• Add spinach + chicken
• Top with mozzarella + ricotta

Serving Suggestions

Pair your casserole with:

• A crisp green salad
• Roasted broccoli
• Cauliflower garlic bread
• Low-carb cheesy breadsticks

This dish is also fantastic as leftovers — the flavors deepen overnight, making it even more delicious.

Fun Fact: Why Pizza Casserole Works Perfectly for Low Carb Diets

Traditional pizza crust is the main carb culprit, but by removing it entirely and keeping everything you love — the gooey cheese, savory toppings, and herby sauce — you get a much healthier version without sacrificing flavor. This approach is especially popular in keto cooking because casseroles hold together beautifully, stay moist, and reheat well.