Crock pot pizza casserole is an easy dish perfect for weeknight dinners or potlucks. Loaded with ground beef, marinara sauce, melty cheese, pepperoni, and noodles, this casserole is a pizza you eat with a spoon!
Show of hands. Who loves pizza? I'll assume you all raised your hands. In all my time on Earth, I've never encountered anyone who doesn't love pizza. That's why I make this recipe so often. My family loves it, and it always goes fast at parties and potlucks.
This delicious casserole was inspired by crock pot lasagna soup. I figured if I could turn lasagna into soup, I could turn pizza into a casserole. It's a delicious dish that's perfect with this easy corn on the cob recipe.
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Why You'll Love This Crock Pot Pizza Casserole Recipe
- It only uses a few simple ingredients.
- It's an easy slow cooker recipe perfect for weeknight dinners.
- It freezes well, making it ideal for meal prep.
- It tastes just like pepperoni pizza you eat with a spoon!
Ingredients
- Penne pasta
- Lean ground beef
- Yellow onion - diced
- Marinara sauce
- Canned diced tomatoes
- Garlic - minced
- Italian seasoning
- Black pepper
- Mozzarella cheese - shredded, divided
- Pepperoni
See the recipe card at the end of the post for exact quantities.
Flavor Variations and Substitutions
- Use ground turkey or chicken in place of the beef for a leaner option.
- Try adding any of your favorite pizza vegetables, like mushrooms, bell peppers, olives, or onions.
- Add red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
- Provolone and parmesan can be mixed with the mozzarella for more flavor.
- Add all your favorite pizza meat toppings to make a meat lover's pizza casserole.
- Make this vegetarian by leaving out the meat and adding more vegetables.
- Use cauliflower florets or keto pasta for a keto version of this dish.
How to Make Crock Pot Pizza Casserole
1: Cook and drain the pasta and set it aside.
2: While the pasta cooks, cook the beef and onions until the beef is browned and the onions are tender.
3: Add the sauce, tomatoes, garlic, and seasonings to the slow cooker and mix.
4: Add the pasta, beef, half the mozzarella cheese, and the pepperoni and mix.
5: Cook until the casserole is cooked through. Tip with the rest of the cheese and continue cooking until the cheese is melted.
Hint
Cook the pasta to al dente and no further. This ensures the pasta won't get soggy and break apart as the casserole cooks.
Storage
Cool the casserole to room temperature, then refrigerate it for up to 4 days in an air-tight container. For longer storage, freeze it in an air-tight, freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
To reheat, defrost the casserole overnight in the fridge if frozen. Then, bake at 350 for about 20 minutes or until heated through.
What to Serve with Crock Pot Pizza Casserole
Serve this casserole with any of your favorite Italian mains, side dishes, or bread for a full, hearty meal.
Tips
- Pre-cook the penne pasta to just under al dente. It will continue to cook and absorb flavors in the slow cooker, preventing it from becoming too mushy.
- Cook the beef until browned and no further. Overcooking it will make it rubbery.
- Use a high-quality marinara sauce as the base flavor of your casserole. It makes a noticeable difference in the final taste.
- Drain the canned diced tomatoes slightly if you prefer a thicker sauce consistency in your casserole.
- Allow the casserole to rest a few minutes after cooking to let the flavors and cheese settle to achieve the perfect melt.
FAQ
The casserole is done when the cheese is fully melted, the edges are bubbly, and the edges are slightly browned. The pasta should be tender, and the raw tomato flavor from the canned tomatoes is cooked through.
Assemble the casserole in an oven-safe dish and bake it covered at 375°F for about 45 minutes to an hour. Uncover it during the last 10 minutes to allow the cheese to brown.
Cook the pasta slightly less than al dente before adding it to the casserole. Since it continues to cook in the slow cooker, this will help maintain a firmer, more satisfying texture.
Al dente is an Italian term that literally translates to "with bite". This means the pasta should be tender but still have a firm texture when bitten.
More Crock Pot Casserole Recipes
- Crock Pot Breakfast Casserole
- Crock Pot Taco Casserole
- Crock Pot Tater Tot Casserole
- Crock Pot Green Bean Casserole
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Crock Pot Pizza Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 lb penne pasta
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 small yellow onion diced
- 2 (24 oz) jars of marinara sauce
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 3 tsp garlic minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded and divided
- 3.5 oz package pepperoni
Instructions
- Cook penne pasta to al dente per directions on the package. Drain and set aside.
- While the pasta is cooking, add ground beef and onion to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook until hamburger is browned and onions are soft. Drain off excess grease and set aside.
- In a 6-quart slow cooker, add marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, garlic, Italian seasoning, and black pepper. Mix until well combined.
- Add pasta, ground beef mixture, 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, and pepperoni to the slow cooker. Mix until well combined.
- Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours. When the pizza casserole is done cooking. Top with the remaining cheese and continue to cook until melted.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and enjoy!
Nutrition
*Nutrition information is an estimate. It may vary based on ingredients, brands, and changes in cooking methods listed in the recipe. If you need exact ingredient numbers, I recommend calculating them with your preferred nutrition calculator.
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