Cheesy Delight Upside Down Pizza Bake
Reminiscent of my childhood, this Cheesy Delight Upside Down Pizza Bake is a family favorite that brings everyone together. Inspired by my mother's secret recipe that my father desperately tried to obtain after their divorce, this dish is filled with rich flavors and a heartwarming backstory. With layers of savory meats, vibrant veggies, and a luscious blend of four cheeses, every bite takes you on a nostalgic journey. Easy to prepare and perfect for gatherings, this recipe is sure to become a staple in your kitchen—once you try it, you'll see why it was too good to share.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
17
Ingredients
Ingredients
ground chuck
1 lb (browned)
Italian sausage
1 lb (removed from casings and browned)
onion
1 (chopped)
green or red bell pepper
1 (chopped)
black olives
1 (2 oz) can (sliced and drained)
mushrooms
1 (4 oz) jar (sliced and drained)
pizza or marinara sauce
2 (15 oz) jars (ready to use)
dried Italian seasoning
1 tsp (crushed)
mozzarella cheese
1 cup (shredded)
cheddar cheese
1 cup (shredded)
milk
1 cup (whole or low-fat)
olive oil
1 tbsp (for sautéing)
eggs
2 (beaten)
self-rising flour
1 cup (for batter)
salt
1/4 tsp (to taste)
Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup (grated)
Romano cheese
1/4 cup (grated)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit (220 degrees Celsius).
2
In a large skillet over medium heat, add the ground chuck and Italian sausage. Cook until the meats are browned, breaking them apart with a spoon.
3
Add the chopped onions, bell pepper, and sliced mushrooms to the skillet. Sauté until the vegetables are tender and fragrant. Sprinkle in the dried Italian seasoning, then drain any excess fat.
4
Stir in the drained black olives, and evenly spread the meat mixture into a greased 13x9 inch baking dish.
5
Pour the pizza sauce evenly over the meat mixture. Then, generously sprinkle the mozzarella and cheddar cheeses on top.
6
In a separate bowl, combine the milk, olive oil, eggs, and self-rising flour. Whisk until just combined; avoid overmixing. Carefully fold in the grated Parmesan and Romano cheeses.
7
Drizzle this creamy mixture evenly over the layered pizza ingredients in the baking dish.
8
Bake for 30 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the edges are bubbling. Allow it to cool slightly before serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Cheesy Delight Upside Down Pizza Bake?
It is a layered casserole dish reminiscent of childhood, featuring savory meats, vegetables, four types of cheese, and a unique batter topping that bakes into a golden crust.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit (220 degrees Celsius).
What types of meat are required for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1 lb of ground chuck and 1 lb of Italian sausage.
How should the Italian sausage be prepared?
The Italian sausage should be removed from its casings and browned along with the ground chuck.
What vegetables are included in the pizza bake?
The recipe includes chopped onion, green or red bell pepper, sliced mushrooms, and sliced black olives.
How long should I bake the dish?
Bake the pizza casserole for 30 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the edges are bubbling.
What size baking dish is needed?
A greased 13x9 inch baking dish is required for this recipe.
Which four cheeses are used in this pizza bake?
The recipe uses mozzarella, cheddar, Parmesan, and Romano cheeses.
How much pizza sauce is needed?
You will need two 15 oz jars of pizza or marinara sauce.
What kind of flour is used for the topping?
The recipe specifically requires 1 cup of self-rising flour.
Do I need to drain the meat after cooking?
Yes, after sautéing the meats with the onions, peppers, and mushrooms, you should drain any excess fat.
What seasoning is added to the meat mixture?
One teaspoon of dried Italian seasoning, crushed, is added to the meat and vegetable mixture.
How are the eggs prepared for the batter?
The two eggs should be beaten before being combined with the milk, oil, and flour.
Is there a specific way to mix the batter?
Whisk the milk, oil, eggs, and flour until just combined, being careful to avoid overmixing before folding in the Parmesan and Romano cheeses.
Can I use fresh mushrooms instead of jarred?
While the recipe specifies a 4 oz jar of sliced and drained mushrooms, fresh mushrooms can be substituted if sautéed properly.
What type of milk is recommended?
The recipe suggests using 1 cup of either whole or low-fat milk.
Should I let the dish cool before serving?
Yes, it is recommended to allow the pizza bake to cool slightly before serving to let the layers set.
How is the batter applied to the dish?
The creamy batter mixture is drizzled evenly over the layered meat, sauce, and cheese ingredients in the baking dish.
What is the backstory of this recipe?
It is a nostalgic family favorite inspired by the author's mother's secret recipe.
How much salt is included in the recipe?
The recipe includes 1/4 teaspoon of salt, or more to taste.
What tags are associated with this dish?
This recipe is tagged as pizza, cheese, bake, comfort food, family recipe, one dish meal, Italian, and easy recipe.
Can I use red bell pepper instead of green?
Yes, the recipe allows for either one green or one red bell pepper, chopped.
How much mozzarella and cheddar are used?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of shredded mozzarella and 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese.
What is the first step in the assembly process?
The first step is to spread the cooked meat and vegetable mixture into a greased 13x9 inch baking dish.
How many jars of sauce are used?
The recipe uses two 15 oz jars of pizza or marinara sauce.
What is the texture of the finished topping?
The topping bakes into a golden brown, bready crust that covers the cheesy pizza layers.
Is this considered a quick meal?
Yes, it is described as an easy to prepare recipe that is perfect for gatherings.
How much Parmesan and Romano cheese is needed?
The recipe requires 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan and 1/4 cup of grated Romano cheese.
Do I need to sauté the olives?
No, the black olives are stirred into the meat mixture after the other vegetables have been sautéed and the fat has been drained.
What are the olives' preparation instructions?
One 2 oz can of black olives should be sliced and drained before being added to the mixture.