Description
Hearty crockpot pizza casserole brings Italian comfort straight to your dinner table. Layers of melty cheese, zesty pepperoni, and pasta combine in this simple slow-cooker delight that promises to satisfy all pasta and pizza cravings you have.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground sausage or beef
- 8 ounces (226 grams) pepperoni slices
Cheese Ingredients:
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Vegetable and Pasta Ingredients:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) uncooked pasta (rotini or penne)
- 24 ounces (680 grams) marinara or pizza sauce
- 1 cup diced onion
- 1 cup chopped bell peppers (optional)
Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Boil pasta to a tender yet firm consistency, then thoroughly drain and set aside in a preparation bowl.
- Warm olive oil in a large skillet and gently sauté diced onions and colorful bell peppers until softened and fragrant.
- Add ground sausage to the vegetable mixture, breaking it into small crumbles and cooking until the meat develops a rich, golden-brown exterior.
- Create a strategic layering system inside the crockpot, alternating between pasta, seasoned meat mixture, zesty marinara sauce, crisp pepperoni slices, and a generous blend of melting cheeses.
- Continue building layers sequentially, ensuring each ingredient is evenly distributed throughout the casserole.
- Enhance the top layer with an additional sprinkle of shredded cheese and a dusting of aromatic Italian seasoning for extra flavor complexity.
- Secure the crockpot lid and allow the casserole to simmer on low temperature for approximately 4-5 hours, or alternatively on high for 2-3 hours until the cheese becomes perfectly melted and bubbly.
- Once cooking is complete, let the casserole rest for a few minutes to allow flavors to meld, then serve piping hot directly from the crockpot.
Notes
- Perfectly cook pasta by salting water and checking doneness to avoid mushiness.
- Customize meat options by substituting ground sausage with turkey, chicken, or plant-based alternatives for different dietary preferences.
- Enhance flavor complexity by adding fresh herbs like basil or oregano during the layering process for a more vibrant taste profile.
- Prevent soggy texture by draining excess liquid from meat and vegetables before adding to the crockpot, ensuring a rich and concentrated pizza casserole.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg