This may surprise some, but we order a fair share of pizza delivery in my house. Of course, even when I’m eating keto, that doesn’t mean I want to forgo one of our favorite weekend treats. Que, keto pizza, pizza bowls, and, more recently, keto pizza casserole. Rather than piling our toppings on a keto pizza crust, everything’s layered on a bed of low-carb pasta and baked until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown. It’s one of my favorite dishes to make when we’re hosting since it’s full of delicious flavors everyone will love, yet it’s deceptively low in carbs.
Recipe highlights
No cauliflower needed. As much as I love cauliflower pizza crust, sometimes, I need a break from cauliflower. Easy to customize. I give you the base recipe, but you can get creative and layer on your favorite pizza toppings, just like traditional pizza. Always a crowd pleaser. Adults and kids alike always RAVE when I make this pizza casserole. Even your friends who aren’t on a keto diet will beg you for the recipe, I guarantee it.
Ready in 30 minutes. Like crustless pizza and chicken crust pizza, this casserole makes for an easy and fast weeknight dinner.
Ingredients needed
If you’ve made any of my other keto dinner recipes before, you’ve probably already got everything on hand to make this one. If not, you can find them all at your local grocery store. Here is what you’ll need:
Keto pasta– I used gluten-free rotini pasta, which holds sauce and cheese so much better than other kinds of pasta. Any kind of keto pasta works, even homemade almond flour pasta. Onion and garlic- Add extra flavor to the sauce mixture. Ground sausage- A must for any good pizza-inspired dish. You can use any ground beef or pork if you can’t find ground sausage. Pizza sauce- Homemade keto pizza sauce, not any of the store-bought ones that are full of sugar and unnecessary carbs! You can also use pomodoro sauce or sugo, two homemade Italian tomato sauces with very few carbs. Parmesan and mozzarella cheese- A combination of both kinds of cheese yields stretchy and melted cheese. Pepperoni- Simple and classic pizza topping.
How to make a keto pizza casserole
I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post. Step 1- Cook the pasta. Start by cooking the pasta as per the package directions until al dente. Drain it and set it aside. Step 2- Making the filling. Next, add some olive oil to a large pot or saucepan and place it over medium heat. Once hot, add the onion and garlic and cook until fragrant. Add the ground sausage and cook until no longer brown. Add the pizza sauce and simmer for 4-5 minutes. Remove the sauce mixture from the heat and stir through the cooked pasta, along with the parmesan cheese. Step 3- Bake the casserole. Now, transfer the pasta into a greased 8 x 13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining parmesan cheese, then the mozzarella cheese. Place the pepperoni on top and bake for 20-25 minutes or until the cheese has melted. Remove the casserole from the oven, cut it into pieces, and serve immediately.
Recipe tips and variations
Lower the carbs. Use half the pasta and double up on the sauce. Add more protein. For a heartier casserole, add shredded chicken, bacon, or diced ham. Add more low-carb veggies. Like sliced green bell peppers, mushrooms, diced tomatoes, black olives, or spinach. Garnish. I like to add a little fresh basil for a bright flavor and pop of color. Make it spicy. If you can handle the heat, add a few dashes of red pepper flakes to the sauce. Make a creamy red sauce. When I really want to go the extra mile, I’ll fold in ½ cup of cream cheese for a more decadent sauce.
How to store leftovers
To store: Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator, covered, for up to five days. While this dish is delicious on its own, there are tons of low carb side dishes that work well with it. Some classic options include keto garlic bread, keto cheese bread, and keto bread varieties (like keto rolls and keto buns). Try a keto potato salad, cauliflower potato salad, or coleslaw for some greens or vegetables. To freeze: Place the cooked and cooled casserole in a large container and store it in the freezer for up to 6 months. Reheating: Either microwave portions for 30-40 seconds until hot or in a preheated oven.
Frequently asked questions
More keto casserole recipes to try
Keto taco casserole– All the flavors of your favorite tacos, but with a fraction of the carbs. Keto cheeseburger casserole– An easy one-pot dinner with minimal prep time. Keto chicken casserole– One of my family’s favorite keto recipes. Keto breakfast casserole– Easy to customize and a perfect make-ahead recipe.
If you’d like to make this casserole in advance, it can be prepped, stored, and covered in the fridge for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to bake, let it sit at room temperature for 15 minutes, then bake as directed.
