Crockpot Pizza Casserole
User Reviews
4.8
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Prep Time
25 mins
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Cook Time
3 hrs
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Total Time
3 hrs 25 mins
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Servings
8 servings
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Calories
558 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
American
Crockpot Pizza Casserole
Description
The Crockpot Pizza Casserole combines sautéed ground beef and onions cooked until no longer pink with a mixture of tomato sauce, pizza sauce, and tomato paste for a rich, tangy base. Pasta is cooked separately according to package directions, then layered in thirds in a 5-quart slow cooker alternating with the meat sauce, sliced pepperoni, and mozzarella cheese. This layering is repeated to build a casserole topped with cheese. The slow cooker cooks the layers on low for 2 to 3 hours, warming the ingredients through and melting the cheese.
The casserole has tender pasta infused with tomato and meat flavors, as well as melted cheese pockets and pepperoni accents. It presents familiar pizza ingredients in a warm, pasta-based dish that can be served as a main course.
You can customize toppings by swapping ground beef for Italian or hot sausage, choosing salami or Canadian bacon instead of pepperoni, or adding cooked vegetables like bell peppers, onions, spinach, or mushrooms after pre-cooking to remove moisture. Cheese variations like provolone or Parmesan also work well.
Leftovers store well refrigerated in airtight containers for up to three days and can be frozen for up to two months after cooling completely.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds ground beef
- 1 onion chopped, medium
- 15 ounces tomato sauce
- 14 ounces pizza sauce
- 2 Tablespoons tomato paste
- 3 cups spiral pasta
- 2 packages pepperoni 3.5 ounces each, sliced
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded
Instructions
- In a large skilled, cook the beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain off grease. Stir in tomato sauce, pizza sauce and tomato paste into the skillet with ground beef and stir to mix.
- Meanwhile cook pasta according to package directions.
- In a 5 qt slow cooker, layer a 1/3 of the pasta, beef mixture, pasta pepperoni and cheese. Repeat 2 more times ending with cheese. Cover and cook on low for 2-3 hours or until heated through.
Notes
- Cook vegetables before adding to remove moisture if adding them.
- Ground beef can be substituted with Italian sausage or hot sausage, cooked similarly.
- Different toppings like sliced Genoa salami or Canadian bacon can replace pepperoni.
- Try using provolone or adding grated Parmesan cheese instead of or in addition to mozzarella.
- Store leftovers in airtight containers up to 3 days refrigerated or freeze for up to 2 months.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 8servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 558 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 558kcal | 28% |
| Carbohydrates | 25g | 8% |
| Protein | 35g | 70% |
| Fat | 35g | 54% |
| Saturated Fat | 14g | 70% |
| Cholesterol | 117mg | 39% |
| Sodium | 1424mg | 59% |
| Potassium | 821mg | 17% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 6g | 12% |
| Vitamin A | 695IU | 14% |
| Vitamin C | 9mg | 10% |
| Calcium | 185mg | 19% |
| Iron | 4mg | 22% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.8
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