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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- Prepare pasta according to package instructions until al dente, then drain thoroughly and set aside.
- Brown ground meat in a skillet with diced onions and bell peppers, ensuring complete cooking and removing any excess fat.
- Create a layered foundation in the crockpot, alternating between cooked pasta, seasoned meat mixture, diced tomatoes, and pizza sauce.
- Distribute pepperoni slices evenly across the layers, followed by a generous sprinkle of shredded cheese varieties.
- Season the casserole with a blend of garlic powder, Italian herbs, salt, and black pepper to enhance the overall flavor profile.
- 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.
- Once cooking is complete, allow the casserole to rest for 5-10 minutes to help set the layers and intensify the flavors.
- 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