Last Updated on November 12, 2024
This Crockpot Pizza Casserole is an easy and delicious way to enjoy pizza for dinner! Made with just a few simple ingredients, this recipe is perfect for a busy weeknight meal.
If you love Instant Pizza Casserole then this is the recipe for you. This casserole is filled with cheesy goodness, tender pasta, and flavorful pepperoni. You can never go wrong with this dish.
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Crockpot Pizza Pasta
This crockpot meal is loaded with flavorful pepperoni. While pepperoni sometimes gets a bad rep it is loaded with nutrients such as protein, B vitamins, and zinc.
So with this family-friendly casserole, you can be sure that your kids are getting a healthy dose of protein that they won’t complain about.
Why I Love This Recipe
If you’re looking for an easy and delicious way to enjoy pizza, look no further than this Pizza Casserole! Made with just a few simple ingredients that everyone will love (plus it’s perfect if your schedule is busy!), the recipe can be thrown together in less than 5 minutes.
- Easy to make
- Perfect for picky eaters
- Fills the house with a delicious aroma
If you love Italian slow cooker recipes like this one, then you may also enjoy this Crockpot Italian Beef Sandwiches recipe.
Ingredients
Ingredients
Making this Pizza Casserole is easy and you only need a handful of ingredients to help you make this recipe. All of the ingredients are easy to find at your local grocery store or you may already have them on hand in your pantry.
Bowtie pasta – Farfalle pasta is a family favorite, but you can use any shape of pasta that you have on hand. Rigatoni, Ziti, or even penne can work for this crock pot recipe.
Pepperoni – I like to use thinly sliced pepperoni but you can use pepperoni chunks instead if you prefer it.
Substitutions
Ground Beef: Instead of ground beef you can use ground turkey or ground chicken to make this recipe.
Pasta Sauce: Instead of pasta sauce you can use pizza sauce.
Variations / Options / Add-Ins
You can easily tailor this recipe to your liking by adding in different toppings or ingredients. Here are a few ideas for you to try:
Add in some veggies – Sliced mushrooms, onions, bell peppers, and olives would be great in this recipe.
Make it extra cheesy – Add extra shredded mozzarella cheese or even some more Parmesan cheese to the recipe.
Add some spice – If you like things with a little bit of a kick, try adding in some red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños.
Equipment Needed / Helpful Tools
You only need a few kitchen tools to help you make this delicious recipe. Gather these tools and get ready to enjoy this pizza pasta without much effort at all.
- slow cooker – you will need at least a 6-quart slow cooker to make sure you have plenty of room for the pasta.
How to Make Crockpot Pizza Casserole
Making this casserole is so easy. Just follow these instructions below and you’ll have a hearty and tasty meal that your entire family will love in no time at all.
Step 1: Brown the ground beef and onions
Add the ground beef and onions to a skillet over medium-high heat, and saute until the meat is browned and the onions have softened. Drain the excess fat.
Step 2: Add the pasta sauce and water to the slow cooker
Combine the pasta sauce, water, all but 16 of the pepperoni slices, and 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese in the crockpot.
Step 3: Mix in the pasta noodles
Mix in the pasta noodles, and stir to combine.
Step 4: Add garlic and seasonings to the skillet
Add the garlic and salt and pepper to taste to the skillet with the meat and onions. Stir to combine, and saute another minute.
Step 5: Add the meat mixture to the slow cooker
Pour the meat mixture into the crockpot, and stir to combine.
Step 6: Top the casserole with the remaining cheese and pepperoni
Top the mixture in the crockpot with the remaining mozzarella cheese and pepperoni slices.
Step 7: Cook on low
Cook on low for 3 hours. Test the noodles at this point, and cook on low for an additional hour if not tender.
Step 8: Garnish and serve
Garnish with the parmesan cheese and serve.
Serving Suggestions
I like to serve this cheesy pasta with a fresh bread side dish like these Air Fryer Breadsticks and end the meal with a slice of these Raspberry Blondies.
Pro Tips
Here are a few tips to help you make the best Pizza Casserole possible.
- I always recommend using lean ground beef because it has less fat and calories.
- Browning the beef before adding it to the crockpot helps to remove any excess fat.
- If you want to add veggies to this recipe, I recommend sauteing them before adding them to the crockpot so they don’t get overcooked.
- I recommend spraying the slow cooker well with nonstick cooking spray or using a slow cooker liner for easy clean-up.
- You can also change up the protein in this recipe by using Italian sausage or adding Canadian bacon.
FAQs
Do you have questions about this crockpot recipe? Here are the answers to the most commonly asked questions for this recipe.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheat the casserole in the microwave in 30-second intervals until warmed through. You can also reheat it in the oven at 350 degrees F until heated through.
Yes, this recipe can easily be frozen. Store it in an airtight container in the freezer for up three months.
More Crockpot Recipes
If you like crockpot recipes, give these recipes a try:
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📋 Recipe
Crockpot Pizza Casserole
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Equipment
- Slow cooker
- Large skillet
Ingredients
- 12 ounces Bowtie pasta
- 28 ounces Pasta sauce
- 1 cup Water
- 1 ½ pounds Ground beef
- ½ Red onion chopped
- 2 teaspoons Minced garlic
- ½ cup Pepperoni slices divided
- 2 cups Mozzarella cheese divided
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese grated
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Add the ground beef and onion to a skillet over medium high heat, and saute until the meat is browned and onions have softened.
- Drain the excess fat.
- Combine the pasta sauce, water, all but 16 of the pepperoni slices and 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese in the crockpot.
- Mix in the pasta noodles, and stir to combine.
- Add the garlic and salt and pepper to taste to the skillet with the meat and onions. Stir to combine, and saute another minute.
- Pour the meat mixture into the crockpot, and stir to combine.
- Top the mixture in the crockpot with the remaining mozzarella cheese and pepperoni slices.
- Cook on low for 3 hours. Test the noodles at this point, and cook on low an additional hour if not tender.
- Garnish with the parmesan cheese and serve.
Video
Notes
- I always recommend using lean ground beef because it has less fat and calories.
- Browning the beef before adding it to the crockpot helps to remove any excess fat.
- If you want to add veggies to this recipe, I recommend sauteing them before adding them to the crockpot so they don’t get overcooked.
- I recommend spraying the slow cooker well with nonstick cooking spray or using a slow cooker liner for easy clean-up.
Could I make it without adding the ground beef?
Yes, I think you could make it without adding the ground beef.