Description
Comforting crockpot pizza casserole combines classic Italian flavors with hearty American convenience. Melted cheese, zesty pepperoni, and pasta layers create a simple, crowd-pleasing dinner you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
Pizza Toppings and Cheese:
- 1 cup sliced pepperoni
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Vegetables and Seasonings:
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 3 cups cooked pasta (penne, rotini, or ziti)
- 1 jar (24 fluid ounces) pizza or marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Sauté ground beef or sausage with diced onions and bell peppers in a skillet over medium-high heat until meat is thoroughly browned and vegetables are tender, approximately 8-10 minutes.
- Carefully drain excess fat from the meat mixture using a colander to remove unnecessary grease.
- Thoroughly coat the interior of the crockpot with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Spread a uniform layer of cooked pasta across the bottom of the crockpot, creating an even base for the casserole.
- Distribute half of the seasoned meat mixture evenly over the pasta layer, ensuring complete coverage.
- Pour pizza sauce generously over the meat, creating a rich and flavorful foundation.
- Sprinkle a generous amount of shredded cheese and arrange pepperoni slices across the sauce layer.
- Repeat the layering process with remaining pasta, meat mixture, pizza sauce, cheese, and pepperoni.
- Cover the crockpot and set to low temperature, allowing the casserole to simmer and meld flavors for 3-4 hours.
- Verify the casserole is thoroughly heated and cheese is completely melted before serving.
- Dish out warm portions and garnish with additional pepperoni or fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
- Opt for lean ground beef or turkey to reduce fat content and create a healthier version of this comfort dish.
- Try different cheese blends like mozzarella, cheddar, and parmesan for a more complex flavor profile.
- Use gluten-free pasta or replace pasta with zucchini noodles to make the recipe suitable for those with dietary restrictions.
- Add extra vegetables like spinach or mushrooms to boost nutritional value and create a more balanced meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 460 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 820 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg