Description
A delicious and easy-to-make Crustless Pizza Bake that combines savory Italian sausage, fresh vegetables, marinara sauce, and gooey mozzarella cheese baked to perfection. Perfect for a low-carb pizza night without the crust, this dish is hearty, flavorful, and customizable with your favorite pizza toppings.
Ingredients
Scale
Base and Sauce
- 1 jar RAO’s marinara sauce (approx. 24 oz)
- 1/2 cup marinara sauce (for the baking dish)
Cheese
- 3 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 lb ground Italian sausage (or meat combo of your choice)
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- Mushrooms, to taste, sliced
- Onions, to taste, chopped
- Additional pizza toppings of your choice, chopped as needed
Instructions
- Prepare the baking dish: Pour 1/2 cup of marinara sauce into the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading it evenly to create a flavorful base for the pizza bake.
- Mix the toppings: In a bowl, combine the ground Italian sausage, chopped green pepper, mushrooms, onions, and any additional pizza toppings with 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese and 1 cup of marinara sauce. Mix everything thoroughly until well combined.
- Fill the baking dish: Pour the mixed toppings evenly into the baking dish over the marinara base, spreading it out to fill the pan uniformly.
- Add the cheese topping: Sprinkle the remaining 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the mixture in the baking dish to create a cheesy crustless layer.
- Bake the pizza: Place the baking dish in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) and bake for 20 minutes, allowing the cheese to melt and the sausage to cook through.
- Broil for a golden finish: If desired, switch the oven setting to broil and broil the pizza bake for an additional 3 to 5 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown on top. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
- Serve and enjoy: Remove the pizza bake from the oven, let it cool slightly, then slice and serve hot for a comforting crustless pizza experience.
Notes
- You can substitute Italian sausage with ground beef, turkey, or plant-based meat alternatives.
- Add your favorite pizza toppings like olives, spinach, jalapeños, or different cheeses to customize.
- Ensure the sausage is fully cooked before mixing with other ingredients if preferred, or cook it in the pan before mixing for a crispier texture.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven for best results.
- This recipe is naturally low carb due to the absence of pizza crust.
