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Crock Pot Pizza Casserole Recipe

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4.1 from 25 reviews

This Crock Pot Pizza Casserole is a comforting, cheesy dish combining savory ground beef, Italian sausage, and pepperoni with rotini pasta simmered in rich pizza sauce. Made effortlessly in a slow cooker, it’s perfect for busy days when you want the flavors of pizza in a hearty, all-in-one casserole.

Ingredients

Meat and Vegetables

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

Pasta and Sauce

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

Toppings and Seasonings

  • 3 ounces pepperoni slices (approximately half a package)
  • 3 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  1. Brown the meats and onion. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef, Italian sausage, and diced onion for about 8 minutes until the meat is fully cooked and browned.
  2. Add garlic and drain fat. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute, then drain any excess fat from the skillet to keep the casserole from being greasy.
  3. Transfer to crock pot and add sauce. Move the meat and onion mixture into the crock pot. Add the two jars of pizza sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients.
  4. Add uncooked pasta. Stir in the uncooked rotini pasta, making sure it is evenly coated and submerged in the sauce. Press the pasta down gently so it’s covered by the sauce and liquid.
  5. Layer pepperoni and cook. Place the pepperoni slices evenly over the top of the pasta mixture. Cover the crock pot and cook on low for 2.5 to 3 hours, or on high for 1.5 to 2 hours, until the pasta is tender and fully cooked.
  6. Stir and add cheese. After cooking, gently stir the casserole to redistribute the ingredients. Then mix in 2 cups of the shredded mozzarella cheese and spread the remaining 1 cup on top.
  7. Melt the cheese. Cover the crock pot again and cook on low for an additional 5 to 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  8. Serve and enjoy. Once the cheese has melted, the casserole is ready to serve. Scoop portions onto plates and enjoy this delicious, easy pizza-inspired meal.

Notes

  • Be sure to press the pasta into the sauce to ensure it cooks evenly without drying out.
  • If you prefer a spicier dish, add crushed red pepper flakes along with the Italian seasoning.
  • You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
  • Feel free to add vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms with the onion for extra nutritional value.
  • If the casserole seems too thick near the end of cooking, add a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce.

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