Easy Pepperoni Pizza Casserole

This delicious pepperoni pizza casserole delivers all the bold, comforting flavors of your favorite pizza without the fuss of making and rolling out dough. A brilliant solution for busy weeknights, this one-dish wonder combines tender roasted cauliflower with tangy marinara sauce, gooey mozzarella cheese, and zesty pepperoni for a satisfying meal that comes together with just 10 minutes of hands-on prep time.

I made this for my family last Friday night when we were craving pizza but wanted something lighter. My husband, who typically insists that "it's not pizza without the crust," went back for seconds and declared it might be his new favorite weeknight meal. Even my picky 9-year-old, who normally picks cauliflower out of everything, devoured it when I told him it was "pizza in a different shape."

Ingredients:

• Cauliflower - Serves as the hearty base that roasts to caramelized perfection, providing texture and substance without the heaviness of traditional crust. The neutral flavor allows it to soak up all the delicious pizza seasonings.
• Olive oil - Helps the cauliflower develop beautiful caramelization while roasting and adds a touch of richness that mimics the mouthfeel of traditional pizza.
• Italian seasoning - This blend of herbs infuses every bite with classic Italian flavors that are essential to the pizza experience. The herbs bloom in the hot oil, releasing their aromatic compounds.
• Marinara sauce - Provides that signature tangy tomato flavor that defines good pizza. Using a quality marinara eliminates the need to season and simmer your own pizza sauce.
• Mozzarella cheese - Creates that irresistible melty, stretchy texture we all crave from pizza. As it browns in the oven, it develops crispy edges that add texture contrast.
• Pepperoni slices - Delivers savory, slightly spicy flavor bombs throughout the casserole. The edges crisp up in the oven, just like on a traditional pizza.
• Salt and pepper - Essential seasonings that enhance all the other flavors and bring the dish together.

Instructions:

Prepare your cauliflower properly

by cutting it into bite-sized florets of relatively uniform size to ensure even cooking. If using frozen cauliflower, there's no need to thaw it first—simply pat it dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture, which will help it roast rather than steam. Place the cauliflower in a 9x13 inch casserole dish and drizzle with 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper. Use your hands to toss everything together, ensuring each piece is evenly coated with oil and seasonings. Spread the cauliflower into a single layer—this is crucial for proper caramelization. If the pieces are too crowded, they'll steam instead of roast, robbing you of the delicious caramelized flavor that makes this dish special.

Roast to golden perfection

by placing the casserole dish in a preheated 425°F oven for about 20-25 minutes. The high temperature is key to developing caramelization while maintaining the cauliflower's structure. Halfway through the roasting time, give the cauliflower a gentle stir to ensure even browning on all sides. You'll know it's ready when the edges are turning golden brown and the florets are tender when pierced with a fork, but still have a slight firmness. This partial cooking is intentional—the cauliflower will continue to cook after you add the toppings, and you don't want it to become mushy. If you prefer a more tender base, you can roast for an additional 5 minutes, but remember that it will continue cooking in the next step.

Layer your pizza components strategically

by first pouring 1 1/2 cups of marinara sauce evenly over the roasted cauliflower. The hot cauliflower will absorb some of the sauce flavors immediately. Next, sprinkle 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce in an even layer, making sure to extend it all the way to the edges of the dish for that crispy cheese crust that everyone loves. Finally, arrange 4-5 ounces of pepperoni slices across the top. The exact pattern is up to you—a single layer works well, or you can overlap them slightly for more pepperoni flavor in each bite. If you're adding any additional toppings, now is the time to sprinkle them on.

Bake until bubbly and golden

by returning the casserole to the oven, reducing the temperature to 400°F, and baking for another 10-15 minutes. This slightly lower temperature allows the cheese to melt completely and the flavors to meld without burning the pepperoni or cheese. You're looking for the cheese to be completely melted and beginning to develop golden brown spots, and the pepperoni to have curled slightly at the edges—these are signs of perfect doneness. If your cheese isn't browning enough toward the end, you can switch to the broiler for the final 1-2 minutes, but watch it constantly to prevent burning.

Rest before serving

by removing the casserole from the oven and allowing it to stand for 5 minutes. This brief resting period is crucial—it allows the bubbling sauce to settle and the cheese to set slightly, making it much easier to serve neat portions. If you cut into it immediately, the sauce will be too runny and the portions won't hold their shape. Use this time to prepare any side dishes or garnishes. The casserole will still be perfectly hot after 5 minutes, but much more manageable to serve.

Garnish for the perfect finish

by sprinkling fresh chopped parsley or basil over the top just before serving. The bright green herbs add a pop of color and fresh flavor that balances the rich, savory nature of the casserole. For those who enjoy a bit of heat, a light sprinkle of red pepper flakes adds a nice kick. If you're a cheese lover, a dusting of freshly grated Parmesan adds an extra dimension of flavor. Serve generous portions while still hot, when the cheese is at its melty, stretchy best.

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I discovered through testing that adding a thin layer of cheese directly on the cauliflower before the sauce creates a moisture barrier that helps keep the cauliflower from becoming soggy. Now I always do this little extra step when I want the cauliflower to maintain more texture. My son calls these "cheese force fields" and gets excited when he finds them!

Perfect Cauliflower Preparation

The cauliflower base is what sets this casserole apart from traditional pizza, and proper preparation makes all the difference. For the best texture, aim for florets that are roughly the same size—about 1 to 1.5 inches—which allows them to cook evenly. If some pieces are significantly larger than others, the small ones will burn before the large ones are tender. When roasting, the single-layer arrangement is non-negotiable. Overcrowding causes the cauliflower to steam in its own moisture rather than caramelize, resulting in soggy, bland florets instead of nutty, flavorful ones. For those who prefer a less prominent cauliflower flavor, try blanching the florets in boiling water for 2 minutes, then shocking in ice water before thoroughly drying and proceeding with the recipe. This extra step mellows the cruciferous flavor while maintaining the texture.

Creative Topping Combinations

While classic pepperoni is always a crowd-pleaser, this versatile casserole can be adapted to showcase any pizza flavor profile you love. For a meat-lover's version, add cooked Italian sausage, crumbled bacon, and Canadian bacon along with the pepperoni. Vegetable enthusiasts might enjoy adding sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, and black olives. For a white pizza variation, replace the marinara with alfredo sauce and top with spinach, garlic, and artichoke hearts. Hawaiian pizza fans can add ham and pineapple chunks, while BBQ chicken pizza lovers might drizzle barbecue sauce over shredded rotisserie chicken before adding the cheese. Buffalo chicken pizza casserole works wonderfully with shredded chicken tossed in buffalo sauce, topped with mozzarella and blue cheese. Remember that wet toppings should be pre-cooked and drained to prevent a soggy casserole.

Make-Ahead and Storage Strategies

This pizza casserole is perfect for meal prep and batch cooking. To make ahead, roast the cauliflower up to two days in advance and store it covered in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, bring it to room temperature while the oven preheats, then proceed with adding the toppings and baking until hot and bubbly. The assembled but unbaked casserole can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours before baking—simply add 5-10 minutes to the final baking time. For freezing, I recommend roasting the cauliflower, cooling completely, then assembling the casserole in a freezer-safe dish. Cover tightly with foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking as directed, adding about 10-15 minutes to the baking time. Leftovers reheat beautifully in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes, maintaining much better texture than microwave reheating.

I created this recipe during a busy season when my family wanted pizza night but I didn't have time for dough-making. The first version was good but not great—the cauliflower was too wet and the flavors weren't bold enough. After experimenting with roasting temperatures and seasoning levels, we landed on this version that's become a regular in our meal rotation. What started as a compromise has become something we genuinely look forward to, proving that sometimes the best recipes come from creative problem-solving in the kitchen. There's something deeply satisfying about transforming simple ingredients into a dish that captures all the comfort and joy of pizza night without the fuss.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I add other pizza toppings to this casserole?

Absolutely! Try adding cooked sausage, mushrooms, bell peppers, or olives. Add them after roasting the cauliflower for best results.

→ Is this pizza casserole freezer-friendly?

Yes, you can freeze it for up to 3 months. Cool completely before wrapping portions tightly and freezing.

→ Can I use frozen cauliflower for this recipe?

Yes, but thaw and pat it dry first. The cooking time might be shorter since frozen cauliflower is partially cooked.

→ What can I serve with pizza casserole?

A simple green salad makes a perfect side. If you're not watching carbs, garlic bread would be delicious too.

→ Can I make this dairy-free?

You can substitute the mozzarella with dairy-free cheese alternatives, though the melting quality will be different.