Sizzling Crockpot Pizza Casserole Recipe for Busy Weeknights

Pizza lovers crave this mouthwatering crockpot pizza casserole that combines comfort and convenience in one delicious dish.

Layers of gooey cheese, zesty sauce, and hearty toppings meld together effortlessly.

Minimal prep work means you can enjoy a satisfying meal without spending hours in the kitchen.

Weeknight dinners just got a whole lot easier with this crowd-pleasing recipe.

Pasta, pepperoni, and melted mozzarella create a flavor explosion that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Families and friends will devour this simple yet incredibly tasty casserole in minutes.

Grab a fork and get ready to experience pizza night reimagined.

Crockpot Pizza Casserole’s Cheesy Layers

• Savor Simple Comfort: Dive into a classic one-pot meal that brings pure, hearty satisfaction with minimal kitchen effort and maximum flavor.
• Create Family-Friendly Feast: Packed with protein, vegetables, and bold spices, this cowboy stew appeals to all ages, making mealtime a delightful gathering.
• Master Hands-Off Cooking: Crockpot magic transforms basic ingredients into a rich, deeply seasoned stew without constant monitoring or complex techniques.
• Customize with Ease: Swap ingredients, adjust spice levels, or add toppings like cheese or sour cream to make this recipe perfectly suited to your taste preferences.

Ingredients For Crockpot Pizza Casserole

• Ground Beef: A classic meat option that adds rich, hearty flavor to the casserole.
• Pepperoni: A spicy pizza topping that provides additional meat and traditional pizza taste.

• Onion, Bell Pepper: Fresh vegetables that enhance the overall flavor and add subtle sweetness to the dish.
• Diced Tomatoes: Provide moisture and a bright, tangy element to the casserole.

• Pasta: The foundational ingredient that creates a satisfying and filling base for the casserole.
• Pizza Sauce: Delivers classic pizza flavor and helps bind the ingredients together.
• Mozzarella Cheese, Cheddar Cheese: Creamy cheeses that melt beautifully and create a gooey, delicious texture.

• Garlic Powder, Italian Seasoning, Salt, Pepper: Essential spices that boost the overall taste and bring depth to the casserole.

Stepwise Crockpot Pizza Casserole Preparation

Step 1: Boil Pasta to Perfection

Cook the pasta until it reaches a tender yet firm al dente texture. Carefully drain the water and set the pasta aside, ensuring it doesn’t stick together.

Step 2: Sizzle the Meat Mixture

Heat a skillet and brown the ground beef or sausage. Toss in finely chopped onions and bell peppers, cooking until the meat is fully cooked and vegetables are soft.

Drain any excess grease to keep the dish light and delicious.

Step 3: Create Delectable Layers

• Pasta
• Seasoned meat mixture
• Diced tomatoes
• Pizza sauce
• Pepperoni slices
• Blend of cheeses

Repeat the layers if you have extra ingredients, creating a delightful flavor-packed casserole.

Step 4: Sprinkle Magical Seasonings

• Garlic powder
• Italian seasoning
• Salt
• Black pepper

These spices will elevate the entire dish with incredible flavor.

Step 5: Slow Cook to Perfection

• Low setting: Cook for 4-5 hours
• High setting: Cook for 2-3 hours

Wait until the casserole becomes bubbly and thoroughly heated.

Step 6: Serve and Savor

Scoop out the steaming hot pizza casserole onto plates. Enjoy the incredible blend of flavors that will make everyone at the table smile with delight!

Helpful Tips For Crockpot Pizza Casserole

• Undercook pasta slightly to prevent mushiness during slow cooking, ensuring perfect texture when the casserole is ready.
• Drain meat thoroughly to reduce excess oil and prevent a greasy final dish, keeping the casserole light and appetizing.
• Experiment with different protein options like ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a healthier twist on the classic recipe.
• Layer ingredients strategically to distribute flavors evenly, creating a balanced and delicious one-pot meal for the whole family.
• For a gluten-free version, swap regular pasta with gluten-free pasta and double-check sauce ingredients for hidden gluten.

Flavor Twists For Crockpot Pizza Casserole

• Vegetarian Veggie Blast: Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles or diced mushrooms, add extra bell peppers, zucchini, and spinach for a nutrient-packed vegetarian version.
• Spicy Southwestern Kick: Swap pizza sauce with salsa, use ground turkey, add black beans, corn, and swap mozzarella for pepper jack cheese for a zesty southwestern flair.
• Mediterranean Magic: Use ground lamb, replace pepperoni with kalamata olives, add feta cheese, diced tomatoes, and sprinkle with oregano for a Mediterranean-inspired casserole.
• Chicken Alfredo Fusion: Substitute ground beef with shredded rotisserie chicken, use alfredo sauce instead of pizza sauce, and mix in sun-dried tomatoes for a creamy pasta bake.

Complementary Foods For Crockpot Pizza Casserole

• Festive Game Night Delight: Slice this hearty casserole into squares, perfect for hungry friends during sports events or movie marathons. Serve with crispy garlic bread and cold beer for maximum enjoyment.
• Party Platter Perfection: Arrange bite-sized portions on a large platter with toothpicks, creating a crowd-pleasing appetizer that guests can easily grab during gatherings or potlucks.
• Family Comfort Meal: Pair with a fresh green salad and garlicky breadsticks to transform this one-pot wonder into a complete, satisfying dinner that kids and adults will love. Sprinkle extra pepperoni on top for added pizzazz.

Proper Storage For Crockpot Pizza Casserole

• Transfer leftover casserole into airtight containers, seal tightly, and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cool completely before storing to prevent moisture buildup.
• Package cooled casserole in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, removing as much air as possible. Freeze for up to 2-3 months, maintaining best quality and taste.
• Warm individual servings in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating. Add a splash of water or extra sauce to prevent drying out.

FAQs

• Is this recipe kid-friendly?

Yes! Children love this pizza casserole because it combines classic pizza flavors with pasta, making it a fun and tasty meal that kids will happily eat.

• Can I use different meats in this recipe?

Absolutely! You can swap ground beef with ground turkey, Italian sausage, or even shredded chicken for variety and different flavor profiles.

• Do I need to pre-cook the pasta completely?

No, cook the pasta just until al dente (slightly firm) since it will continue cooking in the crockpot, preventing it from becoming mushy during the slow cooking process.

• How can I make this recipe healthier?

Use lean ground meat, add extra vegetables like zucchini or spinach, choose low-fat cheese, and opt for a reduced-sodium pizza sauce to create a more nutritious version of this comforting dish.

Crockpot Pizza Casserole Recipe

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4.7 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 5 hours 30 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty Crockpot Pizza Casserole combines classic pizza flavors in a comforting slow-cooker dish. Cheese, pepperoni, and pasta merge into a satisfying meal that brings families together around the dinner table.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup sliced pepperoni
• 3 cups uncooked rotini or penne pasta
• 1 jar (24 oz/680 g) marinara or pizza sauce
• 1 can (14.5 oz/411 g) diced tomatoes, drained
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Prepare pasta according to package instructions until al dente, then drain thoroughly and set aside.
2. Brown ground meat in a skillet with diced onions and bell peppers, ensuring complete cooking and removing any excess fat.
3. Create a layered foundation in the crockpot, alternating between cooked pasta, seasoned meat mixture, diced tomatoes, and pizza sauce.
4. Distribute pepperoni slices evenly across the layers, followed by a generous sprinkle of shredded cheese varieties.
5. Season the casserole with a blend of garlic powder, Italian herbs, salt, and black pepper to enhance the overall flavor profile.
6. Secure the crockpot lid and slow cook on low temperature for 4-5 hours, or on high for 2-3 hours, until the casserole becomes hot and bubbling.
7. Once cooking is complete, allow the casserole to rest for 5-10 minutes to help set the layers and intensify the flavors.
8. Serve directly from the crockpot while warm, ensuring each portion captures the delicious combination of ingredients.

Notes

• Slightly undercook pasta during initial boiling to prevent mushiness during slow cooking, ensuring a perfectly tender texture.
• Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner, vegetarian-friendly version that maintains the dish’s hearty flavor.
• Experiment with different cheese blends like mozzarella, provolone, or adding a sprinkle of parmesan for extra depth and richness.
• Adjust seasonings to taste, adding red pepper flakes for heat or extra Italian herbs for a more robust pizza-like profile.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 hours (on Low) or 2 hours (on High)
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 510 kcal
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 720 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 34 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 32 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg