Here’s a delicious, high-protein twist on a pepperoni pizza casserole that’s hearty, flavorful, and packed with protein:
High-Protein Pepperoni Pizza Casserole
Ingredients (Serves 4–6)
- 1 lb (450 g) lean ground turkey or chicken
- 1 cup cooked quinoa (or whole wheat pasta for extra carbs)
- 1 cup cottage cheese (high-protein)
- 1 cup part-skim mozzarella cheese, shredded
- ½ cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 cup low-sugar pizza sauce
- 20–25 slices pepperoni (opt for turkey pepperoni for lower fat)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- Optional: red pepper flakes for a kick
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook the meat: In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground turkey (or chicken) with onion, bell pepper, and garlic until fully cooked. Season with oregano, basil, salt, and pepper.
- Mix the base: In a large bowl, combine cooked quinoa (or pasta), cottage cheese, ½ cup mozzarella, and pizza sauce. Stir in the cooked meat and veggies.
- Layer the casserole: Spread half of the mixture in the baking dish. Top with half the pepperoni slices. Spread the remaining mixture on top, then layer the remaining pepperoni. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella and parmesan.
- Bake: Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 10–15 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Serve: Let it cool for 5 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh basil if desired.
Protein Boost Tips
- Swap regular cottage cheese for high-protein Greek yogurt.
- Add chicken sausage or extra ground turkey.
- Mix in protein powder (unflavored) into the cheese layer for an extra punch.
This casserole has a great balance of protein, lower carbs (if using quinoa), and the comforting taste of pizza without the empty calories of traditional pizza.
If you want, I can also make a keto version that’s even higher in protein and fat but low-carb. Do you want me to do that?
