Slow Cooker Pizza Casserole
Dive into the comforting flavors of this Slow Cooker Pizza Casserole, where the classic taste of pizza meets hearty casserole goodness. Perfectly seasoned layers of ground beef, Italian sausage, and tender penne pasta are slow-cooked to perfection in a rich, garlicky pizza sauce. This dish is loaded with gooey mozzarella and cheddar cheese, topped with pepperoni, and customizable with optional veggies like black olives or green bell peppers. The slow cooking magic ensures a perfectly blended, melt-in-your-mouth meal with minimal effort and maximum flavor. Ideal for busy weeknights or potlucks, this family-friendly recipe delivers all the cheesy, meaty goodness of pizza in a cozy, one-pot meal.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 pound Ground beef
- 0.5 pound Italian sausage
- 1 medium Yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves Garlic cloves, minced
- 24 ounces Pizza sauce
- 14 ounces Diced tomatoes, drained
- 12 ounces Penne pasta, uncooked
- 1 cup Water
- 2 cups Mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded
- 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 cup Pepperoni slices
- 0.5 cup Black olives, sliced (optional)
- 1 medium Green bell pepper, diced (optional)
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
- 0.25 teaspoon Red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
In a large skillet, cook the ground beef and Italian sausage over medium heat until browned. Drain any excess fat.
Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the meat. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until the onions are softened and fragrant.
Stir in the pizza sauce and drained diced tomatoes. Season with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes.
Spray the inside of your slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray.
Layer half of the uncooked penne pasta at the bottom of the slow cooker.
Pour half of the meat sauce mixture over the pasta, spreading it out evenly.
Sprinkle 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese over the meat sauce.
Repeat the layers with the remaining pasta, meat sauce, and cheeses.
Pour 1 cup of water evenly over the layers in the slow cooker to ensure the pasta cooks properly.
Top the casserole with pepperoni slices, black olives, and diced green bell pepper (if using). Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese over the toppings.
Cover and cook on low for 4 hours, or until the pasta is tender and fully cooked.
Once done, uncover the slow cooker and let the casserole sit for 10 minutes to set before serving.
Serve warm, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese or fresh herbs, if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
763 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 46.6 g | 60% | |
| Saturated Fat | 20.6 g | 103% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.2 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 122 mg | 41% | |
| Sodium | 1847 mg | 80% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 49.5 g | 18% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 4.5 g | 16% | |
| Total Sugars | 9.9 g | ||
| Protein | 40.4 g | 81% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.4 mcg | 2% | |
| Calcium | 431 mg | 33% | |
| Iron | 4.1 mg | 23% | |
| Potassium | 872 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.
