This gluten free veggie pizza casserole brings the flavors of America’s favorite fast food to a vegetable-based dish!
Ok, so I don’t think this is a casserole. Casseroles are typically baked in the oven… And, I really wanted to call it a bake, but also not very accurate. Sure, I could have sliced the zucchini and gone for a ratatouille vibe, but zucchini has a LOT of water and I really wanted to control the texture of the vegetables. So, I chose to sauté pretty much everything. Next, I mixed with some tomato sauce, lean protein, and cheese. Then, I did use the broiler to melt the cheese. So…veggie pizza broil???
You could use almost any vegetable for this dish. Even if not typically enjoyed on a pizza, most veggies pair really well with tomato sauce. Just be aware, if you choose vegetables that have very different textures/thicknesses- sautéing will be your best option.
This dish is gluten free, well…because I didn’t add any pasta. So, it’s naturally gluten free… However, pasta is a typical ingredient in a pizza casserole and you could easily add some to this dish. I almost did.
If ratatouille and pizza had a baby, it would be this dish.
With a dash of spaghetti thrown in.
Ingredients in Gluten Free Veggie Pizza Casserole
Olive Oil
Zucchini
Ground Turkey
Pepperoni
Tomato Sauce
Onion
Garlic
Oregano
Mozzarella Pearls
Shredded Mozzarella
What is pizza casserole?
Pizza casserole is often a pasta-based dish. It then features tomato sauce and all of your favorite pizza toppings, including veggies. I went for a veggie base; but, you could also easily add some gluten free pasta, which I almost did.
What is ratatouille?
It’s a French dish featuring stewed vegetables in a tomato-based sauce. Common ingredients include eggplant, peppers, summer squash, garlic, onion, and herbs.
45 minutes
Gluten Free Veggie Pizza Casserole
Ingredients
- Olive oil
- 20 oz. ground turkey, chicken, or beef
- Salt and pepper
- 1 Tbsp. dried oregano or Italian seasoning
- 1 large onion, diced
- 2-3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 6 zucchini/summer squash, diced
- 2 - 4 oz. pepperoni, diced
- 2 1/2 c. tomato sauce (use your favorite spaghetti sauce)
- 8 oz. mozzarella pearls (small balls)
- 1 c. mozzarella, shredded
- 1 Tbsp. dried oregano or Italian seasoning
- Optional: basil
Instructions
- In a large skillet, heat 1 Tbsp. of olive oil. Then, add the ground meat and brown for 7-10 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and dried oregano. Set aside in a large bowl.
- Using the same skillet, heat 1-2 Tbsp. of olive oil. Sauté the onion for 3-4 minutes. Next, add the zucchini and garlic. Sauté for 4-8 minutes, until tender and beginning to brown. Depending on the size of pan, you will likely need to cook in two batches. Add to the large bowl with the ground meat. Allow to cool slightly.
- Add the pepperoni to the bowl. Next, add the tomato sauce and stir carefully until well incorporated.
- Pour into a large baking dish. Top with mozzarella pearls, shredded mozzarella, and dried oregano. High broil for 3-5 minutes, until cheese is melted and browning. Garnish with fresh basil.