Bubble Up Pizza Casserole
If you’re on the hunt for a comfort food recipe that’s as easy as it is delicious, look no further than the Bubble Up Pizza Casserole. This dish is a magic mix of soft biscuits, savory pizza toppings, gooey cheese, and zesty sauce—baked together into a cheesy, bubbly delight. Perfect for weeknight dinners or casual family meals, Bubble Up Pizza Casserole is not only quick to prepare but also customizable and irresistibly tasty.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Super Simple Ingredients: Uses pantry staples that you probably already have on hand, keeping prep time minimal and stress-free.
- Family Friendly: Everyone from kids to adults can enjoy this dish, making it perfect for shared meals and picky eaters.
- Customizable Comfort: Easily modify toppings to suit your cravings or dietary needs without losing flavor or texture.
- Cheesy and Filling: Combines plenty of melted cheese and savory flavors that satisfy hunger and warm the soul.
- Quick Weeknight Dinner: Ready in under an hour, it’s an ideal solution when you want dinner fast but homemade quality.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic in Bubble Up Pizza Casserole comes from simple, everyday ingredients that work together to create layers of flavor and texture. Each item plays a key role, from the soft biscuits forming a fluffy base to the robust tomato sauce adding tangy depth.
- Pillsbury Biscuits: Use classic canned biscuits for that soft, pillowy layer that soaks up all the flavors beautifully.
- Pizza Sauce: Choose your favorite jarred pizza sauce or marinara to provide a rich and tangy foundation.
- Shredded Mozzarella Cheese: Essential for that gooey, melty cheese pull everyone loves in pizza dishes.
- Pepperoni Slices: Adds a spicy, salty kick that mimics classic pizza toppings perfectly.
- Dried Italian Seasoning: Sprinkled in for extra aromatic flair, rounding out the flavor profile.
- Optional Green Bell Peppers or Onions: Adds a fresh crunch and subtle sweetness, perfect for some veggie variety.
Variations for Bubble Up Pizza Casserole
One of the best parts about this recipe is how effortlessly you can tweak it to suit your tastes. Whether you want more veggies, prefer a different protein, or have dietary restrictions, adapting this dish is a breeze.
- Meat Lover’s Twist: Add cooked sausage, ground beef, or bacon bits for an extra hearty casserole.
- Vegetarian Option: Swap out pepperoni for mushrooms, olives, or chopped spinach to keep it meat-free without skimping on flavor.
- Spicy Kick: Mix in crushed red pepper flakes or spicy sausage to turn up the heat.
- Low Carb Modification: Use cauliflower biscuits or a low-carb bread substitute instead of traditional biscuits.
- Extra Cheese: Play with different cheeses like cheddar, provolone, or Parmesan for layers of cheesy goodness.
How to Make Bubble Up Pizza Casserole
Step 1: Prepare the Biscuits
Preheat your oven and cut the biscuits into quarters. These small pieces will bloom and bubble beautifully in the casserole, absorbing the sauce and cheese as it bakes.
Step 2: Layer the Ingredients
In a greased casserole dish, spread a thin layer of pizza sauce first. Then add the biscuit pieces evenly over the sauce. Top the biscuits with pepperoni, optional veggies, and shredded mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle a little Italian seasoning for that classic pizza flavor.
Step 3: Add More Sauce and Cheese
Pour the remaining pizza sauce over the layered ingredients, ensuring everything gets a good coating. Finish with another generous layer of mozzarella cheese to guarantee a golden, bubbly crust when baked.
Step 4: Bake Until Bubbly
Place the casserole in the oven and bake for about 25-30 minutes until the biscuits are cooked through, and the cheese is melted and bubbling with a golden hue on top.
Pro Tips for Making Bubble Up Pizza Casserole
- Use Fresh Biscuits: Fresh or refrigerated biscuit dough works best to keep the texture soft inside and slightly crispy outside.
- Don’t Overload Ingredients: Keep toppings balanced to ensure the biscuits cook through without becoming soggy.
- Let It Rest: Allow the casserole to cool for 5-10 minutes after baking for easier slicing and cleaner servings.
- Use a Shallow Dish: A 9×13 casserole pan helps even cooking and produces those perfect bubbly edges.
- Customize Cheese: Mix cheeses for complex flavor—mozzarella blends well with sharp cheddar or Italian blends.
How to Serve Bubble Up Pizza Casserole
Garnishes
Brighten your casserole with fresh basil leaves or a sprinkle of chopped parsley after baking. A light dusting of grated Parmesan works beautifully too, adding a bit of salty, nutty complexity.
Side Dishes
Pair this casserole with a crisp garden salad or garlic breadsticks to add freshness and variety. Roasted veggies on the side offer a nutritious complement without overpowering the rich casserole flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve individual portions in mini ramekins or cast iron skillets. This makes each serving feel special and keeps the bubbly cheese intact for guests at the table.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Place any leftover Bubble Up Pizza Casserole into an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. The flavors deepen nicely after resting, making leftovers just as enjoyable.
Freezing
You can freeze the casserole before baking by assembling it in a freezer-safe dish and wrapping it tightly. Freeze for up to 2 months, then bake from frozen, adding extra time as needed.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes to restore that bubbly cheese texture. Microwave reheating is faster but may cause the biscuits to become less crisp.
FAQs
Can I use refrigerated biscuit dough instead of canned?
Absolutely! Refrigerated biscuit dough works wonderfully and can give your Bubble Up Pizza Casserole a homemade touch with similar soft, fluffy results.
Is it possible to make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, simply substitute the regular biscuits with your favorite gluten-free biscuit dough or bread substitute, and ensure all other ingredients are gluten-free certified.
Can I prepare this casserole ahead of time?
You can assemble the casserole a few hours before baking; keep it covered in the refrigerator and bake when ready. Just add a few extra minutes to the bake time if chilled.
What cheeses work best besides mozzarella?
Cheddar, provolone, Monterey Jack, or a blend of Italian cheeses all melt nicely and add delicious flavor layers to your bubble up casserole.
Can I add fresh vegetables to the casserole?
Definitely! Adding diced bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, or spinach boosts the flavor and nutrition without compromising the dish’s signature comfort-food appeal.
Final Thoughts
Bubble Up Pizza Casserole is a fun, cheesy, and effortless meal that’s just waiting to become a staple in your dinner rotation. With its simple ingredients and customizable nature, this recipe is a crowd-pleaser that brings warmth and comfort straight to the table. Go ahead and give it a try—you’re going to love how easy and satisfying it is!
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Bubble Up Pizza Casserole
Bubble Up Pizza Casserole is a comforting, cheesy dish that combines soft biscuit pieces with savory pizza sauce, pepperoni, and melted mozzarella cheese, baked into a bubbly, delicious casserole. It’s perfect for quick weeknight dinners, customizable to your taste or dietary needs, and great for the whole family.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Total Time: 40-45 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free (with gluten-free biscuit substitute)
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 can Pillsbury Biscuits (10 count)
- 1 cup pizza sauce (jarred or marinara)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 20–30 slices pepperoni
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
Optional Vegetables
- 1/2 cup diced green bell peppers (optional)
- 1/2 cup diced onions (optional)
Variations (Optional)
- Cooked sausage, ground beef, or bacon bits (for meat lover’s twist)
- Mushrooms, olives, or chopped spinach (for vegetarian option)
- Crushed red pepper flakes or spicy sausage (for spicy kick)
- Cauliflower biscuits or low-carb bread substitute (for low carb version)
- Additional cheeses such as cheddar, provolone, or Parmesan (for extra cheese layers)
Instructions
- Prepare the Biscuits: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Open the can of biscuits and cut each biscuit into quarters. These small pieces will bloom and bubble beautifully in the casserole, absorbing the sauce and cheese as it bakes.
- Layer the Ingredients: Grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish lightly. Spread a thin, even layer of pizza sauce on the bottom. Arrange the biscuit pieces evenly over the sauce. Top the biscuits with pepperoni slices, optional diced green bell peppers and onions, and then sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese. Finally, sprinkle dried Italian seasoning evenly over the top.
- Add More Sauce and Cheese: Pour the remaining pizza sauce evenly over the layered ingredients to ensure everything is well coated. Finish by adding another generous layer of shredded mozzarella cheese to create a golden, bubbly crust when baked.
- Bake Until Bubbly: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes until the biscuits are cooked through and the cheese on top is melted, bubbly, and golden brown.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing. This helps the casserole set for cleaner servings.
Notes
- Use fresh or refrigerated biscuit dough for best texture – soft inside and slightly crispy outside.
- Don’t overload toppings to avoid soggy biscuits and ensure even cooking.
- Allow the casserole to rest after baking for easier slicing and better texture.
- Use a shallow 9×13 casserole dish for even baking and perfect bubbly edges.
- Customize cheeses by mixing mozzarella with cheddar, provolone, or Italian blends for richer flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 1/8 of casserole)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: bubble up pizza casserole, easy pizza casserole, biscuit pizza bake, weeknight dinner, family friendly pizza, cheesy casserole, comfort food pizza
