Texas Toast Pizza: The Ultimate Comfort Food Casserole

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If you love pizza, garlic bread, and easy dinners, texas toast pizza will blow your mind.

The first time I made this dish, I wanted something hearty and comforting but with a twist. I combined thick slices of buttery texas toast, ground hamburger, pepperoni, sliced black olives, green bell peppers, mushrooms, and three kinds of cheese.

What came out of the oven was pure magic—a pizza-casserole hybrid that tastes just as good as it looks.

What makes texas toast pizza stand out is its crispy, buttery base and its endless ingredient flexibility.

You can keep things classic, go full veggie, or toss in your favorite meats and cheeses.

The rich flavor of garlic toast, bubbling cheese, and endless topping combos make this dish a family favorite and a brilliant choice for quick weeknight meals.

What is Texas Toast Pizza?

Texas toast pizza swaps regular pizza dough for thick, garlic-buttered bread slices.

The result is a crunchy, golden base with a soft middle—almost like French bread pizza, only chunkier and more savory.

While traditional pizza focuses on a thin or thick yeast dough, texas toast pizza leans on pre-made, sliced garlic bread you find in the freezer section.

Origins-wise, nobody really knows who first decided to use garlic toast as a pizza crust. It seems like one of those ideas born out of a hungry night at home.

What sets texas toast pizza apart is its ease, quick cook time, and the way the toast soaks up flavors from the sauce and toppings.

Advantages of texas toast pizza:

• Ready in under 30 minutes

• Crispy edges and soft centers

• No dough rolling or fuss

• Packs well for lunches and snacks

It’s perfect for anyone who wants flavor and crunch without a lot of prep.

How to Make the Best Texas Toast Pizza Casserole

Let’s get down to the juicy details. I want to share the exact texas toast pizza casserole I made, including a few personal tips that take this dish over the top.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s everything I used for my last texas toast pizza. Feel free to swap, skip, or add more toppings to fit your family’s taste.

• 8 slices frozen texas toast garlic bread (classic or five-cheese work great)

• 1 pound ground hamburger (I use 85/15 for a little fat and flavor)

• 12–15 slices pepperoni

• 1/3 cup sliced black olives

• 1/2 green bell pepper, chopped

• 1/2 cup mushrooms, sliced

• 1 cup marinara or pizza sauce (use your favorite brand)

• 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

• 1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese

• Optional toppings: red onion, banana peppers, jalapeños, cooked sausage

Ingredient substitution ideas:

• Swap hamburger for ground turkey or sausage

• Leave out meat for a vegetarian version

• Use any combo of cheeses (provolone, Colby Jack, Monterey Jack)

• Try thick-sliced sourdough if you can’t find classic texas toast

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F (high heat keeps the toast crisp).

2. Partially bake texas toast. Set slices on a baking sheet and bake for about 6-7 minutes. This helps the bread stay crunchy and hold its shape.

3. Brown the hamburger. While the bread bakes, cook ground hamburger in a skillet over medium heat, stirring to crumble. Season with salt and pepper. Drain excess grease.

4. Layer the base. Arrange the partly baked texas toast in a single layer in a 9x13-inch casserole dish or on a large baking sheet.

5. Spread the sauce. Spoon marinara or pizza sauce generously over each slice.

6. Add the toppings. Evenly sprinkle cooked hamburger, pepperoni, olives, bell pepper, and mushrooms over the sauce.

7. Shower on the cheese. Layer mozzarella, cheddar, and parmesan (in that order) over the top for gooey, stretchy cheese pulls.

8. Bake again. Pop the casserole back in the oven for 10–15 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and golden around the edges.

9. Cool and serve. Let it stand for 5 minutes before slicing. This helps the cheese set and keeps each piece together.

Tips for the best results:

• Don’t skip pre-baking the texas toast. It keeps the bottom from getting soggy.

• Use enough sauce to cover but not drown the toast.

• Bake on a high rack so the cheese gets nicely browned.

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Variations and Serving Ideas

Texas toast pizza casserole adapts to almost any craving. Here are a few twists:

Vegetarian Version:

• Load up on zucchini, tomato, red onion, spinach, and roasted garlic. Swap out the hamburger for sautéed mushrooms or eggplant.

Spicy Style:

• Add sliced jalapeños, hot Italian sausage, crushed red chili flakes, or a drizzle of spicy ranch.

Different Meats and Cheeses:

• Use Canadian bacon, pulled chicken, BBQ pork, or even leftover taco fillings. Swap cheddar for provolone, gouda, or pepper jack.

Creative Serving Ideas:

• Cut into strips and serve with warm marinara for party appetizers.

• Pack cold slices in lunchboxes—they hold up better than regular pizza.

• Serve alongside a fresh Caesar or garden salad for an easy dinner.

Mix and match toppings for the ultimate fridge-clean-out meal.

This recipe invites you to get creative, whether you’re feeding picky kids or impressing friends.

Conclusion

Texas toast pizza takes everything you love about pizza and casseroles and fuses them into one irresistible, easy meal.

You get the golden, buttery crunch of garlic toast, the flavors of classic pizza night, and all the comfort of a baked casserole. There’s no need to spend hours making dough or stressing about the perfect crust.

I hope you’ll try my version, then add your own spins to make it your own. Share your favorite add-ins, or let me know if you discover a new topping combo that blows you away.

Pizza night has never been this simple or tasty—give texas toast pizza a shot and taste the difference for yourself!