Crustless sausage pizza bake brings together browned sausage, mushrooms, zucchini and a layer of melted mozzarella. Cooking the vegetables first keeps the finished bake from becoming a watery bowl of pizza toppings. It is a hearty dinner with four generous portions.
Tips for crustless sausage pizza bake
The estimate includes all sausage fat and pan juices; draining them changes the result by an uncertain amount. Choose mild sausage for family meals and offer heat separately. Use a thick marinara rather than a watery tomato sauce. Pepperoni is optional and not included. This bake has pizza flavors but does not slice like a crust pizza.
Makes 4 servings. One serving is one of 4 equal portions of all listed ingredients, including the specified sides and sauces. Prep: 15 minutes; cook: 40 minutes; total elapsed time: 60 minutes including 5 minutes resting.
Helpful equipment: a large nonstick skillet is useful for the stovetop work. Check the size and features for your kitchen before buying.
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Crustless Sausage Pizza Bake
Ingredients
- 1 lb Italian pork sausage raw, casings removed
- 1 lb zucchini trimmed, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
- 8 oz white mushrooms quartered
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 6 oz part-skim mozzarella shredded
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Heat oven to 400°F. Set out a 9-by-9-inch baking dish or a similar 2-quart dish.
- Brown sausage in a deep skillet over medium-high heat for 8–10 minutes, breaking it into small crumbles. Check it reaches 160°F. Transfer sausage to a bowl with a slotted spoon, leaving drippings in the skillet.
- Add zucchini and mushrooms to the skillet. Cook uncovered 10–12 minutes, stirring, until softened and most liquid has evaporated. Stir in oregano and pepper.
- Return sausage and any collected juices to the pan. Stir in marinara and simmer 2 minutes. Transfer the full mixture and remaining pan juices to the baking dish. Top with mozzarella.
- Bake 15–18 minutes until cheese melts and the center reaches 165°F. Rest 5 minutes, then divide into four equal servings.
Notes
Storage and meal prep
Refrigerate within 2 hours at 40°F or below for 3–4 days. Reheat covered to 165°F. Freeze portions up to 2 months for best quality; zucchini will soften, so stir any separated juices back into the filling.
More practical ideas
For another option, try Cheeseburger Cauliflower Casserole. Our meal prep tips can help with planning and storing leftovers.
About the nutrition
Nutrition values are estimates, calculated from all listed ingredients and divided into 4 equal servings. Total carbohydrates include fiber. Different brands, substitutions and extra sides change the result. This development draft has not been kitchen-tested.