Can I use homemade pizza dough instead of crescent rolls?

Absolutely! If you prefer homemade dough, roll it out to roughly the size of your baking dish and place it on top as you would the crescent rolls. You might need to adjust the baking time slightly to ensure the dough cooks through completely.

How can I make this recipe lighter?

Several easy swaps can lighten this dish: use lean ground turkey or chicken instead of beef, opt for turkey pepperoni, use part-skim mozzarella, and increase the vegetable content with extra bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach.

Can I prepare this ahead of time?

Yes! Assemble everything up to the point of adding the crescent roll topping. Refrigerate for up to 24 hours, then add the dough right before baking. You may need to add 5-10 minutes to the baking time if starting with a cold casserole.

What if my family doesn't like olives?

Simply omit them! That's the beauty of this casserole—it's incredibly adaptable. Replace the olives with another favorite pizza topping like mushrooms, extra bell peppers, or even pineapple if that's what your family enjoys.

Upside Down Pizza Casserole Recipe

Description

Upside Down Pizza Casserole is a hearty and comforting dish made with layers of seasoned ground beef, pepperoni, black olives, pizza sauce, cheese, and a golden crescent roll crust topped with Parmesan and Italian seasoning. Perfect for a family dinner.

Ingredients

Units Scale

For the Filling

- 2 lbs ground beef
- 1 green bell pepper (seeded and chopped)
- 1 small onion (chopped)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 (3.5-ounce) package pepperoni
- 1 (2.25-ounce) can sliced black olives, drained
- 1 (14-ounce) jar pizza sauce
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese

For the Crust

- 1 (8-ounce) tube refrigerated crescent roll dough (8 count)

For the Topping

2 tablespoons butter (melted)
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning

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Instructions

Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
Cook the meat and vegetables: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef with the pepper and onion. Once the meat is cooked through and browned, add the garlic. Cook for an additional minute or so. Drain the excess grease away.
Combine filling ingredients: Return the meat mixture to the skillet or a large bowl. Add the pepperoni, olives, and pizza sauce. Stir to combine.
Assemble the casserole: Pour the meat mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese evenly over the meat mixture.
Prepare the crust: Open the crescent rolls, but do not separate them. Lay the dough, in one sheet, on top of the cheese. Pinch the seams together and carefully stretch the dough to cover the top of the casserole.
Add the toppings: Brush the dough with melted butter, then sprinkle with the Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning.
Bake and serve: Bake the casserole for 20 to 30 minutes or until the crust is deep golden brown. Allow the casserole to rest for about 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Make sure to pinch the seams of the crescent roll dough together tightly to avoid gaps.
Allow the casserole to rest for a few minutes after baking to ensure clean, even slices.
Feel free to customize the ingredients with your favorite pizza toppings like mushrooms, jalapeños, or extra cheese.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 450
Sugar: 4g
Sodium: 850mg
Fat: 25g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Unsaturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 0.5g
Carbohydrates: 20g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 30g
Cholesterol: 85mg