Get ready to transform your ordinary dinner into an extraordinary culinary experience that combines the best of pizza and casserole in one mouthwatering dish! This Breadstick and Pizza Casserole is not just a meal; it's a flavor-packed adventure that will have your family and friends begging for seconds. Imagine the perfect blend of juicy ground beef, zesty pizza sauce, crispy breadsticks, and melted mozzarella cheese all baked to golden perfection – this recipe is about to become your new weeknight dinner superhero!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 45 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 jar pizza sauce
- 1 package refrigerated breadsticks
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup pepperoni slices
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking it into small crumbles. Cook until no pink remains and the meat is fully cooked, approximately 7-8 minutes.
- Drain excess fat from the ground beef using a colander to remove unnecessary grease.
- Return the beef to the skillet and pour in the pizza sauce. Stir to combine and mix thoroughly, ensuring the meat is evenly coated.
- Spread the beef and sauce mixture evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Sprinkle the Italian seasoning over the meat sauce for additional flavor.
- Arrange the refrigerated breadstick dough in a single layer on top of the meat sauce, slightly overlapping if needed to cover the entire surface.
- Distribute the pepperoni slices evenly across the breadstick layer.
- Generously cover the entire casserole with shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the breadsticks are golden brown and the cheese is completely melted and slightly bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the cheese to set and make cutting easier.
- Slice into portions and serve hot, garnishing with additional Italian herbs if desired.
Tips
- Meat Matters: Use lean ground beef (80/20 mix) for the best flavor and texture without excess grease.
- Cheese Hack: For extra cheesy goodness, mix in some additional cheese varieties like parmesan or provolone.
- Seasoning Secret: Don't be shy with the Italian seasoning – it adds depth and authentic Italian flavor to the dish.
- Breadstick Pro Tip: If refrigerated breadsticks are unavailable, you can substitute with pizza dough or homemade breadstick dough.
- Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the casserole up to the baking stage and refrigerate for up to 24 hours for an easy make-ahead meal.
- Customize Your Casserole: Feel free to add extra toppings like sliced olives, bell peppers, or swap pepperoni for your favorite pizza toppings.
- Serving Suggestion: Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes after baking to allow the cheese to set and make cutting easier.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 640kcal
Carbohydrates: 28g
Protein: 40g
Fat: 39g
Saturated Fat: 18g
Cholesterol: 80mg
