Description
This delicious casserole combines savory ground meat, fresh veggies, and gooey cheese, all drenched in rich marinara sauce. Perfect for family dinners or meal prep!
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef (or turkey)
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms
- 2 cups marinara sauce (low carb)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1⁄2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1⁄2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1⁄2 cup sliced pepperoni (optional)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish or casserole dish with cooking spray or a little olive oil.
2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Once heated, add the ground beef (or turkey) and cook until browned. Break it up into small pieces with a spoon as it cooks. Drain any excess fat.
3. Add the chopped onion, bell pepper, and mushrooms to the skillet with the browned meat. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables have softened.
4. Stir in the marinara sauce, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes (if using), and season with salt and pepper to taste. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes, then remove from heat.
5. Spread the meat and vegetable mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish. Top with shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese.
6. If using pepperoni, arrange the slices evenly over the top of the cheese.
7. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and slightly golden.
8. Once baked, remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
This casserole is versatile! You can add any other low-carb vegetables you like, such as zucchini or spinach.
To make it even more pizza-like, you can add some chopped olives or a drizzle of olive oil before serving.
For a crispy topping, you can broil the casserole for the last 2-3 minutes of cooking, watching closely to avoid burning the cheese.