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This hearty Bubble Up Pizza Bake is my go-to for a super cozy and tasty pizza night. It mixes the punchy flavor of your favorite pizza with the soft bite of oven rolls—and you can toss in whatever toppings you want. You’ll love it solo with your feet up or when everyone’s hanging out at the table. Every bite is pure pizza fun.
My whole crew can’t get enough of this pizza-meets-casserole combo, especially when we pile on tons of fun, colorful toppings. Bubble Up Pizza Bake is our weekend favorite and perfect for laid-back nights.
Tasty Ingredients
- Refrigerated bread dough: Makes that base soft but delicious. Fresh dough rolls work best for a pillowy bottom.
- Pizza sauce: Jarred or homemade, you want a rich tomato kick as your foundation.
- Mozzarella: Creamy cheese pulls (go for fresh and shred it yourself—it’ll be tastier).
- Italian sausage: Adds lots of flavor and vibes super well with classic pie toppings.
- Pepperoni: Those spicy salami slices bring the heat. Look for ones that aren’t super greasy.
- Black olives: Add a little tang and depth. Try getting Spanish ones for bold taste.
- Green bell peppers: Bring crisp freshness. Firm, shiny ones are the way to go.
- Fresh shredded parmesan: The topper for cheesy, savory power—buy whole for boldness and shred it yourself.
Step-by-step guide
- Finishing and serving:
- Sprinkle loads of fresh parmesan over the hot bake, then let it chill for a few minutes before you dig in.
- Bake it:
- Slide the dish in the oven and bake 15 to 20 minutes. The cheese will bubble and turn gold—your sign it’s done and steamy.
- Layer those toppings:
- Spoon pizza sauce all over the pre-baked dough. Sprinkle half your mozzarella and cover with sausage, pepperoni, olives, and peppers—then finish with the rest of the cheese.
- Get the dough started:
- Take the rolls out of the fridge, chop each into four pieces, and spread out on your baking dish bottom.
- Brown the sausage:
- Cook whole sausages for about ten minutes in a nonstick pan, crumbling as you go until they’re browned. Let any extra fat drain away on paper towels.
- Prep your oven and pan:
- Fire up your oven to 200°C (top and bottom heat). Grease up your baking dish with a little oil or spray so nothing sticks.
- Pre-bake the base:
- Bake your dough pieces for ten to twelve minutes—just enough so they start turning golden. That keeps the bottom from getting soggy later.
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Good to know
Packed with protein so you stay full for hours. Awesome for feeding a crowd. Kid-approved since gentle toppings can be swapped in. Our absolute favorite? Freshly shredded mozzarella—the taste is big and those cheese strings go on forever. Whenever I make Bubble Up Pizza Bake, I always think of a winter night spent tossing crazy toppings on with friends in my kitchen.
Storage tips
Just stick leftovers in the fridge for up to two days—cover it so it doesn’t dry out. Warm them up gently in a low oven or pop in the microwave and they’ll be just as good. You can freeze portions too—they’ll taste almost like just made.
Switch it up
No sausage on hand? No problem. Just use cooked ham or some veggie dogs. Not into peppers? Swap in corn, little tomatoes, or sautéed mushrooms. You can switch mozzarella with shredded gouda or emmental if that’s what you’ve got.
How to serve
This casserole slices up easily so you can enjoy it with crispy salad on the side. It’s awesome dipped in some crème fraîche with fresh herbs. For kids’ parties, I like to cut them into bite-sized squares and top with colorful extras for snacking.
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Pizza story time
Pizza is a classic in German homes now, always inspiring new ideas. Bubble Up Pizza Bake started out as a quick party food in the USA but now it’s a regular at our get-togethers. It’s the best of both worlds: Italian tradition with American comfort.
Common Recipe Questions
- → How do you keep this bake light and not soggy?
Bake the dough by itself for a bit before you add sauce and toppings. That way, you get a nice crust, but it’s still soft inside.
- → Can I throw on different toppings?
Totally! Try ham, mushrooms, onions or bell peppers instead of the usual pizza stuff.
- → Is it okay for kids to eat?
For sure—since it’s got gooey mozzarella and soft bread, both kids and grown-ups can’t get enough.
- → How can I prep this ahead of time?
Just get every part ready in advance. When you’re about to eat, build the layers and bake till it’s all golden and hot.
- → Can I freeze leftovers?
Yep, slice it up and freeze what you don’t finish. Warm individual pieces in the oven or microwave whenever you want.