Pizza Lasagna: 1 amazing kid-pleaser

Okay, so you’ve got those evenings where nothing but comfort food will do, right? And what’s more comforting than digging into a bubbly, cheesy hug of a meal? That’s where this Pizza Lasagna comes in! It’s like your favorite pizza, but made even better because it’s layered through a tender, cheesy lasagna it’s the ultimate crowd-pleaser, especially for the kiddos. I’m Catherine, and my whole thing is taking beautiful, impressive-tasting food and making it totally doable for us home cooks. This pizza lasagna is a perfect example—it’s hearty, packed with flavor, and honestly, impossible not to love.

Why You’ll Love This Pizza Lasagna Recipe

Seriously, this Pizza Lasagna is a winner for so many reasons!

• It’s incredibly kid-friendly – think all the pizza flavors they adore, just in a fun, new format.
• It’s surprisingly easy to make, even for a busy weeknight.
• The flavor is just out-of-this-world delicious, with that perfect pizza-meets-lasagna combo.
• It’s super satisfying, a real hearty meal that everyone will dig into.
• Perfect for game days, family gatherings, or anytime you just need some serious comfort food.
• Plus, it tastes even better the next day, if you happen to have any leftovers!

Gather Your Ingredients for Pizza Lasagna

Alright, let’s get everything ready to build this amazing Pizza Lasagna! It’s pretty straightforward, and having your ingredients prepped makes the whole process a breeze. Trust me, the aroma alone is worth it!

You’ll need:

• 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or hot, your call!)
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 teaspoons dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 12 lasagna noodles (more on the boil vs. no-boil debate in a bit!)
• 1 (15 ounce) container good quality ricotta cheese
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 pound shredded mozzarella cheese (because hello, cheese!), plus maybe a little extra for sprinkling
• 1/2 cup sliced black olives (optional, but so good!)
• 1/2 cup sliced pepperoni (the star toppings!)

Make sure your olive oil or cooking spray is handy too, for browning the meats!

Crafting the Perfect Pizza Lasagna: Step-by-Step

Alright, now for the fun part – actually building this masterpiece! It’s pretty straightforward, and honestly, seeing it all come together layer by layer is half the joy of making this Pizza Lasagna. Just follow along, and you can’t go wrong!

Preparing the Flavorful Meat Sauce

First things first, let’s get that sauce going! Grab a nice big skillet, get it nice and hot over medium heat, and toss in your Italian sausage and ground beef. We want to get them all browned up nicely. Once they look good and browned, drain off any excess grease – this is a key step for keeping our lasagna from getting too oily later on. Toss in your chopped onion and let it soften up, then add your minced garlic for just a minute until it smells amazing. Pour in those crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and water. Stir in your basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Let it all bubble and simmer for about 15 minutes, just to let those flavors really marry. It’ll smell incredible!

Noodle Choice: Boil vs. No-Boil Noodles for Pizza Lasagna

Now, about the noodles for your Pizza Lasagna. This is a classic debate, isn’t it? You can totally use regular lasagna noodles and boil them until they’re just tender, but let me tell you, the no-boil ones are a lifesaver on busy nights. If you go the no-boil route, just make sure your sauce isn’t super thick, because those noodles soak up a lot of liquid as they bake. You can find more tips on how that works over in the Notes section, but honestly, either will get you to Pizza Lasagna heaven! It’s kind of like how we handle different pasta dishes, like our Chicken Alfredo Casserole or that amazing Crack Chicken Casserole – knowing your noodles is key!

Mastering the Layering Order for Pizza Lasagna

This is where the magic really happens! Getting the layering order right for your Pizza Lasagna is crucial for that perfect bite. Start by spreading about a cup of that glorious meat sauce on the bottom of your 9×13 inch baking dish. Then, lay down three lasagna noodles right over the sauce. Next, spread half of that creamy ricotta mixture you made over the noodles. Now, sprinkle on one-third of your mozzarella cheese, followed by one-third of those black olives (if you’re using them) and one-third of your pepperoni. Repeat that whole process one more time: another cup of sauce, three noodles, the rest of the yummy ricotta mixture, a third of the mozzarella, olives, and pepperoni. For the grand finale, top with the last three noodles, smother it all with the remaining meat sauce, and sprinkle generously with the rest of the mozzarella, olives, and pepperoni. It’s going to look SO good!

SAVE IT

Baking Your Delicious Pizza Lasagna

Time to get this beauty into the oven! Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Cover your assembled Pizza Lasagna tightly with foil. This helps it cook through evenly and keeps the top from getting too dark too fast. Let it bake like that for about 25 minutes. Then, carefully take off the foil – watch out for that steam! – and pop it back in for another 15 to 20 minutes, or until it’s all bubbly and golden brown on top. Once it’s out, let it rest for about 10 minutes before you cut into it. This little bit of chill time really helps it set up so it’s not all soupy when you serve it.

SAVE IT

Tips for Grease Control in Pepperoni Lasagna

Okay, let’s talk about that sneaky grease! Nobody wants a greasy slice, right? For perfect grease control in your pepperoni lasagna, the first step is super important: drain those browned meats REALLY well. Like, tilt the pan and get every last drop out. And once it’s all baked and bubbly, try this trick I learned: gently blot the top of the lasagna with a few paper towels before you slice it. It sounds simple, but trust me, it makes a noticeable difference in managing that richness!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Pizza Lasagna

This Pizza Lasagna recipe is super forgiving, which is one of the things I love most about it! If you don’t have Italian sausage, ground beef works great on its own, or you could even use turkey or chicken for a lighter version. For the cheese, while mozzarella and ricotta are stars, feel free to mix in some provolone, or try a ricotta substitute like cottage cheese. It’s a fantastic option if you don’t have ricotta on hand, and makes for a wonderfully moist lasagna. Honestly, mozzarella and ricotta are the classic stars here, but feel free to play around! And if you want to sneak in some veggies, thinly sliced mushrooms or bell peppers are fantastic additions to the sauce. Just remember, the heart of this Pizza Lasagna is that delicious pizza flavor, so have fun with what you have!

Make-Ahead and Freezing Your Pizza Lasagna

You know, one of the best things about this Pizza Lasagna? You can totally make it ahead! If you’ve got a busy week or want dinner ready when you get home, just assemble the whole thing, cover it tightly, and pop it in the fridge. When you’re ready to bake, just let it sit out for about 20 minutes to take the chill off and add a few extra minutes to your bake time. It’s kind of like how we prep things for those Freezer Breakfast Burritos – making life easier down the road! You can even freeze the whole pan for later; just make sure it’s wrapped really well.

Frequently Asked Questions about Pizza Lasagna

Got questions about making your Pizza Lasagna the absolute best it can be? I get it! It’s easy to have a few queries when you’re trying to nail a new family favorite. Let’s sort out some of the common ones so your next batch is perfect. You know, it’s a bit like how we make that simple two-ingredient pizza dough – tackling a few key things makes all the difference!

What are the best noodles for pizza lasagna?

Honestly, both boiled and no-boil noodles work wonderfully in this Pizza Lasagna! If you’re short on time, no-boil are fantastic – just make sure your sauce is a little more liquidy so they can absorb enough moisture. If you love that perfectly al dente texture, classic lasagna noodles you boil first are also a great choice. It’s really about what works best for your schedule!

How do I make my pizza lasagna less greasy?

Great question about keeping this pepperoni lasagna from getting too slick! Your best bet is to really drain off all that excess grease after you brown the sausage and beef. Seriously, get every drop out you can. Then, once it’s baked to bubbly perfection, gently blot the top with some paper towels before slicing. It’s a simple step that makes a big difference!

SAVE IT

Can I assemble pizza lasagna ahead of time?

Absolutely! Making this pizza lasagna ahead of time is a lifesaver. Just assemble it all in your baking dish, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or foil, and pop it in the fridge. When it’s time to bake, let it sit out for about 20-30 minutes to lose some of that chill, and then add maybe 5-10 minutes to your baking time. Easy peasy!

Serving Suggestions for Your Pizza Lasagna

Now that you’ve got this amazing Pizza Lasagna, what do you serve with it, right? To keep things feeling fresh and balanced, a simple crisp salad is always a winner. I love making my homemade Caesar dressing or even whipping up an Italian Grinder Salad – full of flavor and it cuts through the richness perfectly. And of course, you can never go wrong with some warm, garlicky bread for dipping up any extra sauce. It’s the perfect pairing!

SAVE IT

Estimated Nutritional Information

Just so you know, the nutritional info for this Pizza Lasagna is an estimate, since everyone’s ingredients can vary a bit! This recipe makes about 8 servings, and each slice is roughly 550 calories, with about 30g of fat. It’s packed with protein too – around 28g – and has about 45g of carbs. These numbers are just a guideline, but it gives you a good idea of how satisfying this dish truly is!

Share Your Pizza Lasagna Creation!

I would absolutely LOVE to hear all about YOUR Pizza Lasagna adventures! Did your kids devour it? Did you add any fun extra toppings? Tell me everything in the comments below, or even better, rate the recipe and share your photos on social media. Seeing your creations makes my day! If you have any questions or want to get in touch, you can always reach out – I love hearing from you!

Pizza Lasagna

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A kid-friendly lasagna layered with pizza toppings, offering a cheesy and satisfying meal.

• Author: Cat
• Prep Time: 30 min
• Cook Time: 45 min
• Total Time: 75 min
• Yield: 8 servings 1x
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian-American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 pound Italian sausage
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 teaspoons dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 12 lasagna noodles
• 1 (15 ounce) container ricotta cheese
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 pound shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup sliced black olives
• 1/2 cup sliced pepperoni

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Instructions

1. Cook sausage and ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat until browned. Drain excess grease. Add onion and cook until softened. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
2. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, water, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. While the sauce simmers, cook lasagna noodles according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water.
4. In a medium bowl, mix ricotta cheese, egg, and Parmesan cheese.
5. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
6. Spread 1 cup of the meat sauce in the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish.
7. Arrange 3 lasagna noodles over the sauce. Spread half of the ricotta mixture over the noodles. Sprinkle with 1/3 of the mozzarella cheese, 1/3 of the olives, and 1/3 of the pepperoni.
8. Repeat layers: 1 cup meat sauce, 3 noodles, remaining ricotta mixture, 1/3 mozzarella, 1/3 olives, 1/3 pepperoni.
9. Top with the remaining 3 noodles, remaining meat sauce, remaining mozzarella, olives, and pepperoni.
10. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until bubbly and golden brown. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

• For less grease, drain the cooked sausage and beef very thoroughly. You can also blot the top of the finished lasagna with paper towels before serving.
• If you prefer not to pre-cook the noodles, use no-boil lasagna noodles and ensure your sauce is slightly more liquid.
• This dish can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated. Add a few extra minutes to the baking time if baking from cold.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 slice
• Calories: 550
• Sugar: 8g
• Sodium: 1200mg
• Fat: 30g
• Saturated Fat: 12g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 45g
• Fiber: 4g
• Protein: 28g
• Cholesterol: 90mg