Name: Irresistible Pizza Bagel Bites Casserole Ready in 20 Minutes
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 18 min
Total time: 28 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 6 mini bagels (halved) or 3 full-size bagels, sliced; 1½ cups pizza sauce or marinara; 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese; 1/2 cup sliced pepperoni; 1/4 cup sliced black olives; 1/4 cup diced red onion; 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil or parsley; 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 1 tsp Italian seasoning; Optional: red pepper flakes for spice kick; Cooking spray or olive oil for greasing

Jump to Recipe

You know those nights when you need dinner fast, but still want that cozy, cheesy pizza satisfaction? That’s exactly why I created this Pizza Bagel Bites Casserole! It all started when my kids begged for pizza on a busy Tuesday night – I grabbed some bagels, sauce, and whatever toppings were in the fridge, and boom – our new favorite weeknight hero was born. After testing dozens of versions (my neighbors got very full taste-testing all my experiments), I landed on this perfect combo that’s faster than delivery and twice as fun to make. Game day, movie night, or just surviving the week – this bake has saved dinner more times than I can count!

Why You’ll Love This Pizza Bagel Bites Casserole

Oh my gosh, where do I even start? This recipe is my go-to for so many reasons, and I know you’ll feel the same way once you try it. First off – it’s seriously fast. We’re talking 10 minutes of prep and under 20 minutes in the oven. Perfect for those “I forgot to plan dinner” emergencies!

Here’s what makes it so special:

Customizable like crazy – Use whatever toppings you’ve got! My kids love pepperoni, but sometimes we do a veggie version with mushrooms and bell peppers when we’re feeling fancy.
Total kid magnet – I’ve yet to meet a child who doesn’t go wild for these cheesy bagel bites. Even my picky eater cleans his plate!
Game day gold – Cut them into smaller pieces and watch them disappear at parties faster than you can say “touchdown!”
That perfect cheesy pull – When that mozzarella stretches as you serve it? Pure magic, my friends.

Trust me, once this easy weeknight pizza bake enters your life, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it. It’s become our family’s favorite way to pizza-fy any night of the week!

Ingredients for Pizza Bagel Bites Casserole

Here’s the beautiful thing about this recipe – you probably have most of these ingredients already! But let me tell you exactly what works best (learned from many delicious trials and errors). The bagel choice makes all the difference – I strongly recommend using 6 mini bagels halved (or 3 regular bagels sliced) because they give that perfect bite-sized pizza feel. And whatever you do, don’t skimp on the cheese – we need a full 2 cups of shredded mozzarella packed in there for maximum gooeyness!

6 mini bagels, halved (or 3 full-size bagels, sliced) – plain or everything works great!
1½ cups pizza sauce – measure this precisely so your bagels don’t get soggy
2 cups shredded mozzarella – packed nice and tight in the measuring cup
½ cup sliced pepperoni – or more if you’re feeling wild!
¼ cup each of black olives and diced red onion – my favorite combo, but skip if your kids protest
2 tbsp fresh basil or parsley – dried works in a pinch (use 2 tsp), but fresh makes it shine
¼ cup grated Parmesan – the secret flavor booster
1 tsp Italian seasoning – the dried blend in your spice rack is perfect here
Optional: red pepper flakes – for us heat lovers!
Cooking spray or olive oil – to prevent sticking (learned this the hard way!)

Equipment You’ll Need

Don’t worry – you won’t need any fancy gadgets for this one! Just grab these basics from your kitchen:

A trusty casserole dish (8×11 inch works perfectly)
Sharp knife for slicing those bagels
Measuring cups (for that perfect sauce-to-cheese ratio)
Your oven, preheated and ready to go
Optional but fun: pizza cutter for serving (kids love helping with this part!)

See? Told you it was simple. Now let’s get baking!

How to Make Pizza Bagel Bites Casserole

Okay, let’s get to the fun part! This recipe comes together so fast you’ll barely have time to set the table. Here’s exactly how I make it (with all my little tricks for perfect results every time):

Step 1: Preheat and Prep

First things first – crank that oven to 375°F (no guessing here, this temp gives the perfect crisp-to-chew ratio). While it heats up, grab your casserole dish and give it a quick spritz with cooking spray. Trust me, you don’t want to skip this – nothing’s sadder than cheesy toppings stuck to the pan!

Step 2: Assemble the Bagels

Now arrange those halved bagels cut-side up like little edible cups ready to hold all the goodness. Spoon on the sauce – I use about 1 tablespoon per mini bagel half, spreading it right to the edges. Then comes the best part: shower them with mozzarella! Get every nook and cranny covered – we’re going for full cheese coverage here.

Step 3: Add Toppings and Bake

Time for the toppings! Scatter the pepperoni, olives, and onions evenly (no favoritism – each bite should be equally delicious). Sprinkle that Italian seasoning over everything like fairy dust. Pop it in the oven and set your timer for 15 minutes – but keep an eye out! You want the cheese bubbly and golden, not burnt. Mine usually takes exactly 17 minutes, but ovens vary.

Step 4: Garnish and Serve

The moment of truth! Pull that gorgeous, melty masterpiece from the oven and immediately sprinkle with fresh basil and Parmesan. For my spicy friends, now’s the time to shake on those red pepper flakes. Let it cool just 2 minutes (if you can wait that long) before diving in!

Tips for the Best Pizza Bagel Bites Casserole

After making this recipe more times than I can count (my family never gets tired of it!), I’ve picked up some foolproof tricks to make it absolutely perfect every time:

Crispy lovers? Bake an extra 2-3 minutes for golden edges – just watch that cheese doesn’t burn!
Avoid soggy middles by using just enough sauce to coat without drowning the bagels (that 1½ cup measurement is gold).
Gluten-free? Swap in your favorite GF bagels – they work like a charm.
Pro move: Toast bagels lightly before assembling if they’re super fresh – helps them hold up better.
Cheese tip: Grate your own mozzarella for meltier results than pre-shredded.

Follow these simple tricks and you’ll be a pizza bagel casserole master in no time!

Variations and Substitutions

One of my favorite things about this pizza bagel bites casserole is how easily you can mix it up! It’s the ultimate kid-friendly pizza casserole because you can customize it however your family likes. Here are some of our favorite twists:

Veggie overload: Swap pepperoni for mushrooms, bell peppers, or even roasted zucchini – my garden version tastes amazing!
Meat lovers: Add cooked sausage or crumbled bacon with the pepperoni for extra protein punch.
Vegan magic: Use dairy-free cheese and veggie toppings – my niece’s favorite version!
Breakfast twist: Try Canadian bacon and scrambled eggs instead of traditional toppings – perfect for brunch!

The possibilities are endless – that’s why this recipe never gets old in our house!

Serving and Storing Pizza Bagel Bites Casserole

Here’s how we do it in my house – these pizza bagel bites taste best fresh from the oven when the cheese is all stretchy and glorious! I love serving them with a simple green salad to balance all that cheesy goodness. Leftovers? (If you’re lucky enough to have any!) Store them in an airtight container for up to 3 days, but trust me – reheating in the oven for about 8 minutes at 350°F brings back that perfect crispness. The microwave will work in a pinch, but it makes the bagels a bit soggy – and we don’t want that after all our hard work!

Nutritional Information

Now, I’m no nutritionist, but I can tell you this pizza bagel bites casserole is definitely a “sometimes food” in our house – because let’s be real, with all that melty cheese and pepperoni, it’s not exactly a salad! The exact nutrition will vary depending on your specific ingredients (like how generous you are with the cheese – no judgment here!).

If you’re watching certain dietary needs, here’s what I’ve noticed:

Using whole wheat bagels adds some fiber
Low-fat cheese works in a pinch (though it doesn’t melt quite as dreamily)
Loading up on veggie toppings boosts the nutrition factor

At the end of the day, this is comfort food at its finest – meant to be enjoyed with family and friends without stressing over numbers. Just focus on those happy faces around your table!

FAQs About Pizza Bagel Bites Casserole

I get asked these questions all the time – here are my tried-and-true answers after making this recipe approximately a million times for family and friends:

Can I use English muffins instead of bagels? Absolutely! They’ll need about 2-3 minutes less baking time since they’re thinner. Just watch for that perfect melty cheese.
Can I prep this ahead? You bet! Assemble everything, cover tightly, and refrigerate up to 6 hours before baking. Just add 2-3 extra minutes to the cook time.
Does this freeze well? Honestly? Not really. The bagels turn spongy when thawed. It’s best fresh – but leftovers make great next-day snacks!
Too spicy for kids? Just skip the red pepper flakes! My kids prefer plain cheese or mild toppings like olives and mushrooms.
Will picky eaters like this? In my experience? Even the pickiest kids go crazy for their own personalized mini pizza bites!

Got more questions? Just ask – I love talking pizza bagels almost as much as I love eating them!

Share Your Pizza Bagel Bites Casserole

I’d love to see your creations! Tag me on Instagram with your cheesy masterpieces or leave a comment below telling me your favorite topping combo. Nothing makes me happier than seeing families enjoying this recipe as much as mine does!

Irresistible Pizza Bagel Bites Casserole Ready in 20 Minutes