1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. Greasing the dish will prevent the casserole from sticking and make for easier cleanup. You can use cooking spray or a light coating of oil or butter to grease the dish.
2. Brown the Meat: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef or Italian sausage. Break it up with a spoon as it cooks. Cook until the meat is fully browned and no longer pink. Drain off any excess grease from the skillet after browning the meat. Draining the grease will prevent the casserole from becoming too greasy.
3. Add Pizza Sauce and Optional Spices: Stir in the pizza sauce and any dried herbs or spices you are using (like Italian seasoning, oregano, garlic powder, red pepper flakes) to the skillet with the browned meat. Mix well to combine the sauce and spices with the meat. Simmer for 2-3 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. Simmering briefly enhances the flavor of the sauce and spices.
4. Prepare the Biscuit Dough: While the sauce simmers, open the can of refrigerated biscuit dough. Cut each biscuit into quarters or smaller pieces. You can use kitchen shears or a knife to cut the biscuits. Smaller pieces will “bubble up” more evenly and create a better texture in the casserole.
5. Assemble the Casserole: In the greased baking dish, spread the cut-up biscuit pieces in an even layer across the bottom of the dish. Pour the meat and pizza sauce mixture evenly over the biscuit pieces. Sprinkle the pepperoni slices (or diced pepperoni) and any other desired toppings (vegetables, cooked meats) evenly over the meat and sauce mixture. Finally, sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over all the toppings. Layering the ingredients in this order ensures that the biscuits bake properly at the bottom, the sauce and meat are evenly distributed, toppings are cooked, and the cheese melts beautifully on top.
6. Bake the Casserole: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the biscuits are golden brown and cooked through, and the cheese is melted and bubbly. The baking time may vary slightly depending on your oven and the thickness of the casserole. The biscuits should be puffed up and golden brown, and the cheese should be melted and slightly browned in spots.
7. Let Rest and Serve: Let the casserole stand for a few minutes before serving. This allows the casserole to set slightly and makes it easier to serve. Cut into squares or scoop out portions and serve hot. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley, if desired, for a fresh and flavorful finish.

Tips for Perfect Bubble Up Pizza Casserole:

• Don’t Overcrowd the Dish: Use a 9×13 inch baking dish to ensure the casserole bakes evenly. If the dish is too small and the casserole is too crowded, the biscuits may not cook through properly in the center.
• Cut Biscuits into Smaller Pieces: Cutting the biscuits into quarters or smaller pieces helps them cook through evenly and “bubble up” nicely. Larger pieces may remain doughy in the center.
• Don’t Overbake: Bake until the biscuits are golden brown and cooked through, but avoid overbaking, which can make the biscuits dry and the cheese too browned.
• Adjust Toppings to Your Liking: Feel free to customize the toppings to your family’s preferences. Add more or less of your favorite toppings.
• Check for Doneness: To check if the biscuits are cooked through, insert a toothpick into the center of a biscuit. It should come out clean, or with just a few moist crumbs, not wet dough.