Description
Hearty crockpot pizza casserole delivers comfort and convenience in one satisfying dish. Italian-inspired layers combine classic pizza flavors with simple slow-cooker magic, promising delicious results you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 pound (1 lb) ground beef
- 8 ounces (8 oz) pepperoni slices
Pasta and Vegetables:
- 12 ounces (12 oz) pasta (rotini or penne)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Sauces and Seasonings:
- 24 ounces (24 oz) marinara sauce
- 1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 1 cup water
- 1 tablespoon (1 tbsp) olive oil
- 1 teaspoon (1 tsp) Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon (1/2 tsp) salt
- 1/2 teaspoon (1/2 tsp) black pepper
Cheese:
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Prepare pasta to al dente texture according to package guidelines, then thoroughly drain and set aside.
- Warm olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté diced onions and minced garlic until aromatic and translucent.
- Incorporate ground beef into the skillet, seasoning with salt, pepper, and Italian herbs. Brown meat completely and eliminate excess fat.
- Create initial foundation layer in crockpot with half of the prepared pasta, distributing evenly across bottom surface.
- Distribute first portion of cooked beef over pasta layer, followed by scattered pepperoni slices and marinara sauce.
- Replicate layering process with remaining pasta, beef, pepperoni, and sauce to create secondary tier.
- Scatter diced tomatoes across top layer and pour water throughout mixture to maintain moisture and prevent burning.
- Secure crockpot lid and cook on LOW temperature for 4-5 hours or HIGH temperature for 2-3 hours until ingredients meld together.
- During final 30 minutes of cooking, generously sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheese across surface.
- Allow cheese to completely melt and become bubbly before removing from crockpot.
- Serve immediately while warm, ensuring each portion contains balanced mixture of ingredients.
Notes
- Cook pasta slightly firmer than usual since it will continue absorbing liquid during slow cooking, maintaining perfect texture.
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles for different dietary preferences and nutritional needs.
- Add cheese during the final 30 minutes to prevent burning and ensure a perfectly gooey, golden-brown cheese topping.
- Add water carefully to prevent the casserole from becoming too watery; start with less liquid and adjust as needed during cooking.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 hours (on Low) or 3 hours (on High)
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 511 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 740 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg