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Crock Pot Pizza Casserole Recipe

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3.9 from 10 reviews

This Crock Pot Pizza Casserole is a hearty and flavorful meal perfect for busy days. Combining ground beef, Italian sausage, rotini pasta, and rich pizza sauce, topped with pepperoni and melted mozzarella cheese, it delivers all the favorite pizza flavors in an easy, slow-cooked one-pot dish. Perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings.

  • Author: Chef
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 3 hours
  • Total Time: 3 hours 20 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings
  • Category: Casserole
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: Italian-American

Ingredients

Meat and Vegetables

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 pound Italian sausage
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic

Pasta and Sauces

  • 1 bag (16 ounces) rotini pasta (uncooked)
  • 2 jars (24 ounces each) pizza sauce

Toppings and Seasonings

  • 3 ounces pepperoni slices (approximately half a package)
  • 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  1. Brown the Meat: In a skillet over medium heat, cook 1 pound ground beef, 1 pound Italian sausage, and 1 diced onion until browned. Drain the excess grease for a leaner dish. Add 1 tablespoon minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
  2. Combine Ingredients in Crock Pot: Transfer the cooked meat mixture to the crock pot. Stir in 2 jars (24 ounces each) of pizza sauce, 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper until well combined.
  3. Add Pasta: Add the 16 ounces of uncooked rotini pasta to the crock pot and stir to evenly distribute the pasta in the sauce mixture.
  4. Ensure Pasta Coverage: Make sure the pasta is fully submerged in the sauce and liquid; press down gently if needed to ensure even cooking.
  5. Layer Pepperoni: Spread 3 ounces of pepperoni slices evenly on top of the pasta and sauce mixture.
  6. Cook: Cover and cook on low for 2.5 to 3 hours or on high for 1.5 to 2 hours until the pasta is cooked through and tender.
  7. Add Cheese and Stir: Once cooking is complete, gently stir the casserole to redistribute ingredients. Stir in 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese and then top the casserole with the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella.
  8. Melt Cheese: Cover and cook for an additional 5 to 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  9. Serve: After the cheese has melted, serve the casserole hot and enjoy your comforting, pizza-flavored meal.

Notes

  • You can use turkey sausage or ground turkey for a leaner version.
  • To add some veggies, consider mixing in diced bell peppers or mushrooms during step 2.
  • If you prefer spicier flavors, add crushed red pepper flakes along with the Italian seasoning.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the microwave or oven.
  • This casserole can be made ahead and cooked on a low setting for convenience.

Find it online: https://cheftinaskitchen.com/crock-pot-pizza-casserole-recipe/