Crockpot pizza casserole is a weeknight dinner your whole family will devour! Tender pasta combines with ground beef, pepperoni, a zesty tomato sauce, and plenty of cheese for a crowd-pleasing dinner.
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Pin RecipeEasy Cheesy Crockpot Pizza Casserole Recipe
Always a family favorite, this crockpot pizza casserole combines all your favorite pizza toppings in a warm, comforting casserole. Delicious and cheesy, it has all the flavor of your favorite pizza in a recipe that’s quick and easy to prepare. It’s perfect for a potluck party or a delicious meal at home with the family!
To make this tasty dish, you’ll need a few basic ingredients like ground beef, pasta, pizza sauce, cheese, and your favorite pizza toppings. (No pizza crust here!)
Simply layer the ingredients in the crockpot, and let it do its magic! Go about your day. Then, when dinner time rolls around, you’ll have your meal piping hot and ready to serve.
And don’t forget, you can easily customize this dish with your favorite pizza toppings after it cooks. So, everyone in the family can make their own. Lay out grated Parmesan cheese, sliced olives, veggies, and canned pineapple for a fun toppings bar!
Everyone will request this recipe again and again.
Ingredients for Crockpot Pizza Casserole
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- 1 pound box of pasta – I recommend using ziti, penne, or any large shape you like best.
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper – Freshly cracked black pepper will give you the most flavor.
- 1 medium onion – Yellow, white, or even red onion will work in this recipe.
- 2 cloves garlic – Love a garlicky pizza? Feel free to add more!
- 2 14-ounce cans of pizza sauce
- 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
- 1 12-ounce package of sliced pepperoni
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese – A shredded Italian blend works too. For the best taste and texture, buy a block of cheese, and grate it yourself!
- 1/4 cup fresh basil – Although dried basil will work in a pinch, fresh basil brings lots of bright flavor to this crockpot pizza casserole.
- Cooking spray
Variations
- Use crumbled Italian sausage or ground turkey instead of ground beef.
- Make your crockpot pizza casserole meatless by using a plant-based ground beef substitute like Impossible and vegetarian pepperoni.
- Add sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, olives, and other veggies before or after cooking.
Directions For How to Make Crockpot Pizza Casserole
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- Cook the pasta: Boil the pasta in salted water according to the package directions until it’s al dente. Drain the liquid, and set the pasta aside.
- Brown the beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Heat the oil, add the ground beef, and continue cooking the ground beef until browned. Break the meat up with a spoon as it cooks! Then, use a slotted spoon to transfer the beef to a paper towel-lined plate.
- Cook the onions and garlic: In the same pan, sauté the onions and garlic over medium-high heat for about 10 minutes. They will be translucent and cooked through.
- Finish the sauce: Add the pizza sauce, Italian seasoning, and beef to the pan. Bring the mixture to a simmer, and remove it from the heat.
- Assemble: Coat the inside of the crockpot with cooking spray. Add the cooked pasta, beef sauce, and ½ cup of cheese. Stir to combine.
- Top: Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top of the ingredients. Then, arrange the pepperoni slices over the cheese.
- Cook: Cover the slow cooker, and cook on low for about three hours, or high for one and half to two hours. Top with the basil just before serving.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this crock pot pizza casserole recipe with a side salad or veggies like roasted broccoli for a complete meal. And don’t forget the homemade garlic bread!
How to Store Slow Cooker Pizza Casserole
- Store leftover crock pot pizza casserole in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days.
- Freeze the casserole in a freezer-safe container for up to three months.
- Reheat the casserole thawed or frozen in the oven or microwave. Transfer the pasta mixture to a casserole dish, and cover it with foil. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 to 20 minutes or until heated through.
Quick Tip
Be sure to cook the pasta just to al dente, which means it is firmer than you typically eat it. Remember, it continues to cook in the crockpot. So, cooking pasta al dente will cause the casserole to become mushy!
Crockpot Pizza Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 pound box of pasta ziti, penne or other large shape
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 medium onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 14 ounces cans pizza sauce
- 2 Tablespoons Italian seasoning
- Cooking Spray
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese divided
- 1 package sliced pepperoni 12 oz
- ¼ cup fresh basil chopped
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to the package directions in salted water, leaving a little firmer than usual. This will ensure the pasta does not overcook in the crockpot later. Drain and set aside.1 pound box of pasta
- In a large skillet, heat the oil until hot and it begins to shimmer. Add the ground beef, season with the salt and pepper. Cook until the beef has browned, about 8 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, remove the beef to a paper towel-lined plate.2 Tablespoons olive oil, 1 pound ground beef, 2 teaspoons kosher salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper
- In the same pan, cook the onions and garlic over medium high heat until translucent and cooked through, about 10 minutes.1 medium onion, 2 cloves garlic
- Add the pizza sauce, cooked beef, and Italian seasoning, bring to a simmer, then remove from the heat.2 14 ounces cans pizza sauce, 2 Tablespoons Italian seasoning
- Spray the inside of the crockpot, then add the cooked pasta, beef sauce, and ½ cup of the cheese. Stir together.2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, Cooking Spray
- Sprinkle the rest of the cheese over the top, then arrange the pepperoni over the cheese.1 package sliced pepperoni
- Cover and cook on low for about 3 hours, or high for 1 ½ to 2 hours. It should be heated throughout and the cheese completely melted.
- Top with the basil and serve.¼ cup fresh basil
Nutrition
Did you make this Crockpot Pizza Casserole? Be sure to leave a rating and comment below!
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