Craving pizza night but sticking to your low carb or keto lifestyle? The Low Carb Keto Crustless Pizza Casserole is your answer, delivering all the classic pizza flavors you love without the carb-filled crust. This versatile and incredibly easy recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a satisfying meal prep option.
Key Ingredients for Low Carb Keto Crustless Pizza Casserole
- 1 pound ground Italian sausage (mild or spicy, your preference)
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (15 ounce) can marinara sauce, low carb and sugar-free (check labels!)
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Optional Toppings: Sliced pepperoni, cooked mushrooms, bell peppers, olives, jalapeños, etc.
How to Make Low Carb Keto Crustless Pizza Casserole
This Low Carb Keto Crustless Pizza Casserole is designed for ultimate ease and flavor. In under 30 minutes of active prep time, you’ll have a bubbling, cheesy masterpiece that’s incredibly satisfying. Its simplicity lies in combining delicious, low-carb ingredients into a comforting bake, reminiscent of a deconstructed pizza that’s even richer and creamier.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Skillet: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Find a large oven-safe skillet, preferably cast iron, or a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Brown the Sausage and Aromatics: In your oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat, add the ground Italian sausage. Cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until it’s browned and cooked through. Drain off any excess grease.
- Sauté Onion and Garlic: Add the chopped onion to the skillet with the browned sausage. Cook until the onion is softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Add Marinara and Seasonings: Pour in the low-carb marinara sauce. Stir in the heavy cream, dried oregano, and dried basil. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to your taste.
- Simmer the Sauce: Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for about 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
- Incorporate Cheese: Reduce the heat to low. Stir in 2 cups of the shredded mozzarella cheese and the grated Parmesan cheese until the cheese is melted and well incorporated into the sauce. This creates a rich, creamy base for your Low Carb Keto Crustless Pizza Casserole.
- Add Toppings (Optional): If you are using any desired low-carb pizza toppings like pepperoni, mushrooms, or olives, gently stir them into the mixture now.
- Top with Remaining Cheese: Sprinkle the remaining 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the mixture in the skillet.
- Bake to Perfection: Place the skillet (or transfer the mixture to your baking dish if you didn’t use an oven-safe skillet) into the preheated oven.
- Bake: Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese on top is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown.
- Rest and Serve: Let the Low Carb Keto Crustless Pizza Casserole sit for about 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows it to set up slightly, making it easier to scoop. Serve hot and enjoy your delicious, guilt-free pizza experience!
Why You’ll Love This Low Carb Keto Crustless Pizza Casserole
You’ll absolutely adore this Low Carb Keto Crustless Pizza Casserole because it captures the heart of pizza night in a wholesome, keto-friendly form. Its primary appeal lies in its incredibly rich, cheesy, and savory profile, packed with all the familiar flavors of your favorite pizza toppings, without any of the carbs. Moreover, making this at home is a fantastic way to save money compared to ordering specialized keto meals, offering exceptional value for a deeply satisfying dish. The combination of gooey mozzarella, flavorful Italian sausage, and zesty marinara creates a comforting taste sensation that’s simply irresistible.
Unlike a traditional pizza where the crust can add unwanted carbs and calories, this casserole focuses purely on the delicious toppings and cheesy goodness. It’s a hearty and filling meal that will leave you feeling completely satisfied, making it a perfect alternative for those craving comfort food on a low-carb diet. Dive into this cheesy delight and experience pizza night reimagined – you won’t be disappointed!
Storing and Reheating Tips
To store your delicious Low Carb Keto Crustless Pizza Casserole, allow it to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.
For reheating:
- Microwave: Reheat individual portions in the microwave on medium power for 60-90 seconds, or until heated through.
- Oven: For a crisper topping, reheat in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until warm and bubbly.
To freeze: You can freeze individual portions or the entire casserole once cooled. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil, or place in freezer-safe containers. It will keep in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Final Thoughts
This Low Carb Keto Crustless Pizza Casserole is a fantastic way to enjoy pizza flavors while staying on track with your low carb or keto goals. Give this easy, cheesy, and satisfying recipe a try – you’ll be glad you did!
Low Carb Keto Crustless Pizza Casserole
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Find a large oven-safe skillet, preferably cast iron, or a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- In your oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat, add the ground Italian sausage. Cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until it’s browned and cooked through. Drain off any excess grease.1 pound ground Italian sausage
- Add the chopped onion to the skillet with the browned sausage. Cook until the onion is softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.1 pound ground Italian sausage, 1/2 cup chopped onion, 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Pour in the low-carb marinara sauce. Stir in the heavy cream, dried oregano, and dried basil. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to your taste.1 (15 ounce) can marinara sauce, low carb and sugar-free, 1/4 cup heavy cream, 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/2 teaspoon dried basil, Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for about 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
- Reduce the heat to low. Stir in 2 cups of the shredded mozzarella cheese and the grated Parmesan cheese until the cheese is melted and well incorporated into the sauce. This creates a rich, creamy base for your Low Carb Keto Crustless Pizza Casserole.4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- If you are using any desired low-carb pizza toppings like pepperoni, mushrooms, or olives, gently stir them into the mixture now.Sliced pepperoni, cooked mushrooms, bell peppers, olives, jalapeños
- Sprinkle the remaining 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the mixture in the skillet.4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Place the skillet (or transfer the mixture to your baking dish if you didn’t use an oven-safe skillet) into the preheated oven.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese on top is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown.
- Let the Low Carb Keto Crustless Pizza Casserole sit for about 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows it to set up slightly, making it easier to scoop. Serve hot and enjoy your delicious, guilt-free pizza experience!