This 5-Ingredient Casserole My Mom Makes Always Disappears First at the Tailgate

Growing up in Pittsburgh, home to the six-time Super Bowl champions, the Pittsburgh Steelers, football Sundays were the heart of our week. A friend of mine once called Steelers Sundays a 'holiday' in our house—a tradition that’s stayed with me even after leaving the Steel City.

Like any special occasion, gameday was all about great food and shared moments. Many Sundays were spent on the couch with my parents, eating microwaved nachos (a family favorite), but just as often, we gathered at friends’ houses to enjoy the game together.

Football parties were all about good times with friends who felt like family and, of course, plenty of food. Over the years, everyone seemed to have their go-to dish for the spread, so it's hard to remember exactly who brought which crowd favorite.

One dish, however, stands out: a five-ingredient pizza breadstick casserole made by one of my mom’s friends. The name alone is enough to spark your curiosity—and make you hungry.

My Mom's Pizza Breadstick Casserole

This casserole is like an upside-down pizza, with the savory meat and sauce forming the base, topped with soft, golden-brown breadstick dough and gooey, melted cheese. Trust me, it’s definitely worth pulling out the fork and knife at your next tailgate.

The simple pizza breadstick casserole uses ground beef, jarred marinara sauce, diced pepperoni, refrigerated breadstick dough, and Colby Jack cheese. My mom’s friend always used the Pillsbury Garlic Breadsticks kit, which included a buttery garlic spread for extra flavor. When I couldn’t find it, I substituted with Pillsbury Pizza Crust, and it worked just as well.

The recipe sticks to pepperoni and ground beef, but feel free to get creative with your favorite pizza toppings, just like my mom does with her pizza dip. Adding mushrooms, onions, or bacon will take it to the next level, making it even heartier. Although we’ve always served this casserole as a gameday snack, it would make an excellent dinner on a chilly fall or winter night.

Now, let me introduce you to your new go-to tailgate dish.

How to Make Pizza Breadstick Casserole

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef, cooked and drained
• 1 1/2 cups marinara sauce
• 1/2 cup diced pepperoni
• 1 container refrigerated breadstick dough (like Pillsbury Garlic Breadsticks)
• 1 cup Colby Jack cheese, shredded

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 2-quart baking dish with cooking spray.
2. In a bowl, mix the drained ground beef, sauce, and pepperoni. Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking dish.
3. Unroll the breadstick dough and separate it into individual sticks. Cut each stick into thirds, then arrange the dough evenly over the beef mixture in the casserole dish, covering it completely.
4. Bake for 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and sprinkle Colby Jack cheese on top. Return the dish to the oven for an additional 10 minutes, or until the breadsticks are golden, the cheese is melted, and the sauce is bubbling.