Hello, fellow food enthusiasts! Today, I’m thrilled to share a recipe that has become a favorite in our household—Bubble Up Pizza Casserole. This delightful dish combines the comforting flavors of pizza with the ease of a casserole, making it perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings with friends and family.
I first discovered this gem during a family vacation to a quaint lakeside cabin. After a long day of hiking and exploring, we craved something hearty yet simple to prepare. With a limited kitchen and a hungry crew, this Bubble Up Pizza Casserole was a lifesaver. The kids were excited to help, especially with tearing up the biscuit dough, and the end result was a bubbling, cheesy masterpiece that we devoured in no time.
What I love most about this recipe is its versatility. You can easily customize it with your favorite pizza toppings. My friend Sarah, for example, loves adding bell peppers and onions, while my husband prefers a bit more heat with jalapeños and extra crushed red pepper flakes. If you’re watching your calorie intake, the use of turkey or chicken sausage and 2% Mozzarella cheese keeps things on the lighter side without sacrificing flavor.
This Bubble Up Pizza Casserole is not only a hit with kids but also a crowd-pleaser at potlucks and game nights. The combination of savory sausage, tender mushrooms, tangy tomato and pizza sauce, and gooey cheese, all nestled among soft biscuit pieces, makes every bite irresistible. I guarantee it will become a staple in your recipe rotation, just as it has in mine.
So, let’s get cooking and bring a little bit of that lakeside cabin magic into your kitchen. Happy cooking!
How to Make Bubble Up Pizza Casserole
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Ingredients:
- 1 lb uncooked hot Italian poultry sausage (casings removed, turkey or chicken)
- 1 cup shredded 2% Mozzarella cheese
- 8 oz sliced white mushrooms
- 1 cup pizza sauce
- 8 oz can tomato sauce
- 2 oz turkey pepperoni slices (cut into quarters)
- 1.5 oz sliced black olives
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 (7.5 oz) can of refrigerated biscuit dough
Directions:
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Lightly coat a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray and set it aside.
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the sausage, breaking it up with a spoon. After a couple of minutes, add the mushrooms. Continue to cook for 6-8 minutes until the sausage is fully cooked and the mushrooms are soft.
Add the tomato sauce, pizza sauce, pepperoni, olives, Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper flakes to the skillet. Stir until everything is well mixed.
Cut the biscuit dough into small pieces and stir them into the mixture in the skillet. Once everything is combined, transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly.
Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Then, remove the dish from the oven and sprinkle the shredded Mozzarella cheese over the top. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 15 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
FAQs:
Can I use a different type of sausage for this Bubble Up Pizza Casserole?
Yes, you can substitute hot Italian poultry sausage with any type of sausage you prefer. However, if you choose a sausage with different seasonings, it may slightly alter the flavor profile of the dish. Additionally, if you use a sausage with a higher fat content, it could affect the overall texture and calorie count.
Is it necessary to pre-cook the sausage and mushrooms before baking?
Yes, pre-cooking the sausage and mushrooms is essential. It ensures that the sausage is fully cooked and the mushrooms are softened before mixing with other ingredients. This step also helps to blend the flavors more effectively, leading to a more cohesive dish once baked.
Can I make this casserole ahead of time and bake it later?
Yes, you can prepare the casserole ahead of time. Simply follow the steps until the baking stage, then cover and refrigerate the dish. When you are ready to bake, let it sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes and then bake as directed. This approach can be very convenient for meal planning or entertaining.
What can I substitute for the biscuit dough in this recipe?
If you prefer not to use refrigerated biscuit dough, you can substitute with other types of dough, such as crescent roll dough or even homemade pizza dough cut into pieces. Keep in mind that different doughs may require slight adjustments in baking time to ensure they are fully cooked through.
How should I store and reheat leftovers of the Bubble Up Pizza Casserole?
Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator and can be kept for up to 3 days. To reheat, preheat your oven to 350°F, and place the casserole in an oven-safe dish. Cover with foil to prevent drying out and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through. You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave for 2-3 minutes.
Bubble Up Pizza Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 lb uncooked hot Italian poultry sausage casings removed if present, can be turkey or chicken sausage
- 8 oz sliced white mushrooms
- 1 cup pizza sauce
- 1 can 8 oz tomato sauce
- 1.5 oz sliced black olives
- 2 oz turkey pepperoni slices cut into quarters
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 can 7.5 oz refrigerated biscuit dough
- 1 cup shredded 2% Mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly mist a 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray. Set it aside.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, add the sausage. Break it up with a spoon or spatula and cook for a couple of minutes. Then, add the mushrooms and cook for an additional 6-8 minutes until the sausage is fully cooked and the mushrooms are softened.
- Stir in the tomato sauce, pizza sauce, pepperoni, olives, Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper flakes. Add the biscuit dough pieces and mix until everything is well combined.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly. Bake in the oven for 25 minutes.
- Remove the dish from the oven and sprinkle the Mozzarella cheese on top. Return it to the oven for another 15 minutes, or until the cheese is hot and bubbly.
