Healthy Pizza Casserole

Satisfy your pizza cravings the healthy way with this delectable Healthy Pizza Casserole—a family-friendly dinner bursting with bold Italian flavors and nutrient-packed ingredients! This easy and wholesome recipe combines whole wheat penne pasta, lean ground turkey or chicken, and a medley of fresh vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, and onion. Tossed in a robust, no-sugar-added marinara sauce and topped with layers of melted low-fat mozzarella, Parmesan, and turkey pepperoni, this casserole delivers all the cheesy, savory goodness of classic pizza without the guilt. Perfect for busy weeknights, it comes together with just 20 minutes of prep and offers a generous six servings. Garnish with fresh basil for a vibrant finish, and enjoy a comforting meal packed with protein, fiber, and flavor!

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 8 ounces Whole wheat penne pasta
• 1 tablespoon Olive oil
• 3 Garlic cloves, minced
• 1 medium Yellow onion, diced
• 2 Bell peppers, diced (any color)
• 1 medium Zucchini, diced
• 1 pound Ground turkey or chicken
• 2 teaspoons Dried Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 2 cups No-sugar-added marinara sauce
• 0.5 cup Turkey or chicken pepperoni, sliced
• 1.5 cups Low-fat mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 0.25 cup Grated Parmesan cheese
• 0 Fresh basil leaves (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

Cook the whole wheat penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and diced onion, cooking for 2-3 minutes until fragrant.

Step 4

Add the diced bell peppers and zucchini to the skillet and cook for an additional 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften.

Step 5

Push the vegetables to one side of the skillet and add the ground turkey or chicken to the other side. Break up the meat with a spoon and cook until fully browned, about 5-7 minutes.

Step 6

Stir the vegetables and meat together. Season with Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix well.

Step 7

Add the marinara sauce to the mixture and stir to combine. Simmer for 2-3 minutes to let the flavors meld.

Step 8

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta with the meat and vegetable mixture. Stir until well incorporated.

Step 9

Lightly grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray or olive oil. Pour the pasta mixture into the dish and spread it out evenly.

Step 10

Layer the turkey or chicken pepperoni slices evenly over the pasta mixture.

Step 11

Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese and grated Parmesan cheese on top.

Step 12

Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Step 13

Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes.

Step 14

Garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired, slice, and serve warm.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2001.9 grams (2001.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2920

Total Fat 117.90g	151%
Saturated Fat 43.40g	217%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.30g
Cholesterol 602mg	201%
Sodium 7852mg	341%
Total Carbohydrate 243.90g	89%
Dietary Fiber 33.10g	118%
Total Sugars 50.10g
Protein 232.20g	464%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1801mg	139%
Iron 24mg	134%
Potassium 5337mg	114%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 35.8%

Protein: 31.3%

Carbs: 32.9%