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!
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Recipe Information
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
- Fresh basil leaves (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Cook the whole wheat penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
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.
Add the diced bell peppers and zucchini to the skillet and cook for an additional 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften.
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.
Stir the vegetables and meat together. Season with Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix well.
Add the marinara sauce to the mixture and stir to combine. Simmer for 2-3 minutes to let the flavors meld.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta with the meat and vegetable mixture. Stir until well incorporated.
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.
Layer the turkey or chicken pepperoni slices evenly over the pasta mixture.
Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese and grated Parmesan cheese on top.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes.
Garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired, slice, and serve warm.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2920 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 117.9 g | 151% | |
| Saturated Fat | 43.4 g | 217% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 602 mg | 200% | |
| Sodium | 7852 mg | 341% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 243.9 g | 89% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 33.1 g | 118% | |
| Total Sugars | 50.1 g | ||
| Protein | 232.2 g | 464% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 1801 mg | 139% | |
| Iron | 24.2 mg | 134% | |
| Potassium | 5336 mg | 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.
