Pizza Crock Pot
Transform your weeknight dinner routine with this indulgent and family-friendly Pizza Crock Pot casserole! Combining all the classic flavors of your favorite pizza into a hearty, one-pot pasta dish, this recipe is a true crowd-pleaser. Layers of tender penne pasta, savory ground beef or Italian sausage, rich marinara sauce, gooey mozzarella and cheddar cheeses, and zesty pepperoni come together in your slow cooker for an effortless, hands-off meal. Optional add-ins like bell peppers and black olives elevate the dish with extra flavor and texture. With just 15 minutes of prep time and the ease of slow cooking, this cheesy, bubbly casserole is perfect for busy nights or casual gatherings. Whether you’re craving a comforting dinner or a shareable potluck dish, Pizza Crock Pot combines the best of pizza and pasta into one irresistible meal!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 pound Ground beef (or Italian sausage)
- 1 medium Onion, diced
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 24 ounces Pasta sauce (marinara or pizza sauce)
- 1.5 cups Pepperoni slices
- 2 cups Mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded
- 12 ounces Penne pasta (or similar short pasta), uncooked
- 2.5 cups Water
- 1 medium Green bell pepper, diced (optional)
- 0.5 cup Black olives, sliced (optional)
- 1 teaspoon Dried Italian seasoning
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
- 1 as needed Cooking spray or oil
Instructions
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef (or Italian sausage) and cook until browned, breaking up the meat with a spoon. Drain any excess grease, then stir in the diced onion and minced garlic. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
Lightly grease the inside of your crock pot with cooking spray or oil to prevent food from sticking.
In the crock pot, layer the ingredients as follows: start with a thin layer of pasta sauce on the bottom, then add a layer of uncooked pasta, followed by the cooked meat mixture, a sprinkle of Italian seasoning, and some of the optional bell peppers or olives if using. Top with shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheeses. Repeat the layers until all ingredients are used, finishing with a generous layer of cheese on top.
Pour the water evenly over the layers. This will help the pasta cook evenly in the crock pot.
Cover and cook on low heat for 2.5–3 hours or until the pasta is tender and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
In the last 20 minutes of cooking, add the pepperoni slices on top, allowing them to warm through and slightly crisp up.
Once cooked, turn off the crock pot and allow the dish to cool slightly before serving to let the layers set.
Serve hot, garnished with additional cheese or fresh herbs if desired. Enjoy your Pizza Crock Pot casserole!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
938 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 59.3 g | 76% | |
| Saturated Fat | 26.1 g | 130% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 143 mg | 48% | |
| Sodium | 2178 mg | 95% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 60.8 g | 22% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 4.6 g | 16% | |
| Total Sugars | 8.2 g | ||
| Protein | 46.5 g | 93% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 487 mg | 37% | |
| Iron | 4.6 mg | 26% | |
| Potassium | 905 mg | 19% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
