LOW-CARB DECONSTRUCTED PIZZA CASSEROLE (VIDEO)

HOW TO MAKE LOW-CARB DECONSTRUCTED PIZZA CASSEROLE:

(This is just a summary of the steps shown in the photos; scroll down for the complete recipe.)

1. Dump a can of diced tomatoes into a colander and rinse; then spread them out to dry on a paper towel.
2. Squeeze turkey Italian sausage out of the casings and brown well, then put it into a small casserole dish.
3. Put the drained tomatoes over the sausage and season.
4. Wash the mushrooms, pat dry, and cut into thick slices.
5. Saute mushrooms until they give up their liquid and are starting to brown.
6. Then layer mushrooms over the sausage-tomato mixture.
7. Cut pepperoni in half (I use kitchen shears. (affiliate link)
8. Spread the grated mozzarella over the casserole and top with pepperoni.
9. Bake about 25 minutes, or until the ingredients are heated through and the cheese is starting to brown. (I baked mine a bit too long, don’t get distracted!)

Serve hot and enjoy! And I promise this will hit the spot any time you’re really craving pizza.

WEEKEND FOOD PREP:

This recipe has been added to a new category called Weekend Food Prep  to help you find recipes you can prep or cook on the weekend and eat during the week!

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LOW-CARB DECONSTRUCTED PIZZA CASSEROLE

yield6 SERVINGSprep time25 MINUTEScook time25 MINUTEStotal time50 MINUTES

Low-Carb Deconstructed Pizza Casserole is a comfort food casserole the whole family will enjoy!

INGREDIENTS

•  1 can diced tomatoes, well drained ((14.5 oz. can; do not use petite dice tomatoes)
•  5 links uncooked turkey or pork Italian sausage (19.5 oz.)
•  2 tsp. + 2 tsp. olive oil
•  1/2 tsp. dried oregano
•  salt and fresh-ground pepper to taste (I didn’t use much salt.)
•  12 oz. fresh mushrooms, washed and cut into thick slices (I used brown Cremini mushrooms.)
•  1 1/2 cups grated Mozzarella cheese
•  15 slices pepperoni, cut in half (I used regular pepperoni, but you can use turkey pepperoni if you prefer)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 400F/200C.
2. Spray an 8 inch x 11 inch glass casserole dish with non-stick spray or olive oil.
3. Pour the diced tomatoes into a colander placed in the sink and rinse with cold water. Let tomatoes drain a minute or two, then spread them out on paper towels to dry (or blot dry with another paper towel on top.)
4. While tomatoes dry, heat 2 tsp. olive oil in a large non-stick frying pan, squeeze the sausage out of the casing, and cook sausage over medium-high heat until it’s nicely browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. (I use an old-fashioned potato masher (affiliate link) to break the sausage apart.)
5. While sausage cooks, wash mushrooms, pat dry, and slice into thick slices.
6. When the sausage is done make a layer of sausage in the bottom of the casserole dish and top with the drained tomatoes, spreading them out over the top of the sausage.
7. Season with dried oregano, salt, and fresh-ground black pepper. (I didn’t use much salt.)
8. Rinse out the pan if needed, then heat the other 2 tsp. of olive oil over medium-high heat. When the pan is hot add the mushrooms and cook, stirring a few times, until all the liquid is released and the mushrooms are starting to brown.
9. Layer the mushrooms over the sausage-tomato mixture.
10. Cut pepperoni in half.
11. Sprinkle the grated Mozzarella over the top of the casserole and lay the pepperoni pieces on top of the cheese, spacing them evenly so the whole top is covered with pepperoni.
12. Bake about 25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and starting to brown. Serve hot.

NUTRITION INFORMATION:

YIELD:

 6 

SERVING SIZE:

 1
Amount Per Serving:CALORIES: 289 TOTAL FAT: 12g SATURATED FAT: 6g UNSATURATED FAT: 8g CHOLESTEROL: 85mg SODIUM: 561mg CARBOHYDRATES: 5g FIBER: 2g SUGAR: 3g PROTEIN: 26g