Home Made Crustless Pizza Bake

Ingredients:

• 1 lb (450g) ground beef or sausage (or a mix)
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
• 1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
• 1 cup pizza sauce
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup sliced black olives (optional)
• 1/2 cup sliced bell peppers (optional)
• 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook Meat: In a large skillet, cook the ground beef or sausage over medium heat until browned. Drain any excess fat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic and cook until the onion is translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
3. Add Tomato Ingredients: Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and pizza sauce. Mix well.
4. Season: Add oregano, basil, thyme, and red pepper flakes (if using). Season with salt and pepper to taste. Let the mixture simmer for 5-10 minutes to let the flavors meld.
5. Add Veggies (Optional): If using olives, bell peppers, or mushrooms, stir them into the meat sauce mixture.
6. Bake: Transfer the mixture to a baking dish. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and Parmesan cheese evenly on top.
7. Cook: Bake in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
8. Garnish: Let the bake cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired.

Tips:

• Feel free to customize the bake with your favorite pizza toppings.
• For a lower-carb version, you can use ground turkey or chicken and skip the optional vegetables.