This Paleo Pizza Casserole is absolutely delicious. A creamy cashew sauce folded with cassava flour gluten-free noodles, seasoned ground beef and turkey pepperoni creates a comforting, family-friendly dish. Ready in under 30 minutes of active prep (50 minutes total including baking), it’s simple to put together and works well for weeknight dinners or meal prep.
Paleo pizza casserole ingredients:
- Cassava flour noodles – I like Jovial, but any gluten-free or grain-free noodle will work.
- Ground beef – Use a quality, grass-fed option if possible. One pound is ideal for this recipe.
- Yellow onion and garlic – For flavor.
- Ghee – For sautéing the onion and garlic.
- Red sauce – A simple tomato-based sauce works well.
- Turkey pepperoni – I prefer a turkey variety for a lighter option.
For the cashew cheese:
- Raw cashews – Soak them in water for at least a few hours to soften, which helps achieve a smooth cream.
- Lemon, garlic and salt – To season the cashew cream.
- Olive oil – Use extra-virgin olive oil (or avocado oil) to add body and richness to the sauce.
Optional dairy-free ranch:
- Avocado mayo – The base for a simple dairy-free ranch.
- Dried dill, garlic powder and onion powder – For seasoning.
How to make:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cook the cassava noodles according to package directions but reduce the cooking time by 2 minutes so they finish in the oven and don’t overcook.
- In a skillet, heat the ghee and sauté the chopped yellow onion for about 2–3 minutes. Add the ground beef and garlic powder; cook until the beef is no longer pink, breaking it up as it cooks.
For the dairy-free cheese sauce:
- Drain the soaked cashews and place them in a blender or food processor with lemon juice, garlic, salt, olive oil and a little water. Blend until completely smooth; this may take 3–4 minutes depending on your equipment.
- To assemble, combine the cooked noodles, cashew cream, cooked beef, red sauce and turkey pepperoni in a casserole dish. Mix gently to coat everything evenly, then bake at 350°F for 30 minutes.
Reheating instructions
- For best texture and flavor, reheat in the oven at 350°F for 5–10 minutes rather than using a microwave.
Serving suggestions
This casserole is satisfying on its own, but pairs well with simple vegetable sides such as:
- Baked or roasted Brussels sprouts with bacon
- Sautéed or steamed zucchini
- Roasted asparagus wrapped in bacon
Recipe summary
This paleo pizza casserole combines tender cassava noodles, savory seasoned beef, tangy red sauce and a creamy cashew-based cheese for a gluten-free, dairy-free take on a classic comfort dish. It’s easy to prepare, family-friendly and reheats well for leftovers.
Paleo Pizza Casserole
Course Meals
Cuisine American
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 3 servings
Author Allianna Moximchalk
983 kcal
Cost $10
Equipment
- Casserole dish
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 1 box cassava noodles (or other grain-free noodles)
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp ghee
- 2 cups red sauce
- 1/2 cup turkey pepperoni
For the cashew cheese:
- 1 cup raw cashews (soaked at least 4 hours)
- 2 lemons (juice)
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp garlic powder
- 1/2 cup water (adjust as needed)
- Sea salt to taste
Optional (to serve) dairy-free ranch:
- 1 cup avocado mayo
- 2 tsp dried dill
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
Instructions
For the pasta:
- Boil water and cook the pasta for 2 minutes less than the package directions; it will finish cooking in the oven.
For the cashew cheese:
- Drain soaked cashews and blend with lemon juice, olive oil, garlic powder, water and salt until completely smooth (about 3–4 minutes).
For the beef bake:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. In a skillet, heat ghee and sauté chopped onion for 2–3 minutes. Add ground beef and garlic powder and cook until no longer pink.
- Combine cooked noodles, cashew cheese, cooked beef, red sauce and turkey pepperoni in a casserole dish. Mix to combine and bake for 30 minutes.
For the ranch:
- Whisk avocado mayo with dried dill, garlic powder and onion powder until smooth.
This paleo pizza casserole is simple to make, full of flavor and great for feeding a family or saving as leftovers.
Serving: 1 serving | Calories: 983 kcal | Carbohydrates: 30 g | Protein: 49 g | Fat: 77 g | Fiber: 5 g | Sugar: 6 g