Crockpot Pepperoni Pizza Casserole
This Crockpot Pepperoni Pizza Casserole is a delicious and easy twist on traditional pizza. It’s perfect for those busy weeknights when you want a hearty meal but don’t have much time to prepare.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- You only need simple ingredients so you don’t have to worry about spending a lot of money and time at the grocery store.
- This meal has all the flavors of pizza but in a casserole form. The kids will love it.
- You can prep the beef ahead to make a simple dump-and-go recipe for busy mornings.
Ingredients
You will need a few simple ingredients to help you make this slow cooker pizza casserole recipe. Gather these ingredients on your next trip to the grocery store, so that you can enjoy this meal with family this week.
- Bowtie pasta
- Pasta sauce
- Water
- Ground beef
- Red onion
- Minced garlic
- Pepperoni slices
- Mozzarella cheese
- Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper
How To Make Crockpot Pepperoni Pizza Casserole
One of the best things about this casserole is that you can add all the ingredients and then go on with the rest of your day. You don’t have to worry about spending a ton of time in the kitchen to get dinner on the table on a busy weeknight.
Step 1: Brown the ground beef
Add the ground beef and onion to a skillet over medium-high heat, and saute until the meat is browned and the onions have softened. Drain the excess fat.
Step 2: Add the ingredients to the crockpot
Combine the pasta sauce, water, all but 16 pepperoni slices, and 1 cup of mozzarella cheese in the crockpot. Mix in the pasta noodles, and stir to combine.
Step 3: Finish the beef and then add to the slow cooker
Add the garlic, salt, and pepper to taste to the skillet with the meat and onions. Stir to combine, and saute for another minute. Pour the meat mixture into the crockpot, and stir to combine.
Step 4: Cook the casserole
Top the mixture in the crockpot with the remaining mozzarella cheese and pepperoni slices. Cook on low for 3 hours. Test the noodles at this point, and cook on low for an additional hour if not tender. Garnish with the parmesan cheese and serve.
Tips
Here are a few of my best tips to help you make this simple recipe.
- For easy cleanup spray your insert with nonstick cooking spray, or use a slow cooker liner.
- I’ve found that if you shred the mozzarella cheese yourself, you will have a gooey cheese topping. The bagged kind can be used as well.
- I like to use bowtie or farfalle pasta. However, you can use any type of pasta that you have on hand. A round pasta would work the best.
Variations and Substitutions
Here are a few ways that you can personalize this pizza pasta casserole recipe.
- Want to add more vegetables? Once you brown the beef, add diced bell peppers, mushrooms, or onions for extra vegetables.
- Not a fan of beef? Swap it out and use ground beef or ground chicken instead.
- Not a fan of pepperoni? Leave it off or swap it for bacon or ham.
Equipment
This is a quick overview of the equipment that you will need to make this delicious recipe:
- large skillet
- slow cooker
What to serve with pizza casserole
There are so many different sides that go well with this slow cooker recipe. I love to pair it with a simple green salad like this Classic Cobb Salad or Rustic Parmesan Garlic Bread. No matter what you choose your family will love this dish.
FAQs
Do you have questions about this delicious recipe? Here are the answers to the most commonly asked questions for this recipe.
Yes, for this recipe you must cook the ground beef before you add it to the slow cooker.
Yes, raw pasta will be cooked in the slow cooker, so you don’t have to worry about cooking it first.
You can microwave single servings at 50% power for 2-3 minutes or in a saucepan on the stovetop for about 5 minutes over medium. If you find that your leftovers are dry, you can add a splash of water or beef broth to thin it back out.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Crockpot Pepperoni Pizza Casserole
This Crockpot Pepperoni Pizza Casserole is the perfect family dinner on busy nights. Fully of cheesy goodness, your family will love.
Ingredients
- 12 ounces Bowtie pasta
- 24 ounces Pasta sauce
- 1 cup Water
- 1 ½ pounds Ground beef
- ½ Red onion chopped
- 2 teaspoons Minced garlic
- ½ cup Pepperoni slices divided
- 2 cups Mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup. Parmesan cheese grated
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
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Add the ground beef and onion to a skillet over medium high heat, and saute until the meat is browned and onions have softened.
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Drain the excess fat.
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Combine the pasta sauce, water, all but 16 of the pepperoni slices and 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese in the crockpot.
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Mix in the pasta noodles, and stir to combine.
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Add the garlic and salt and pepper to taste to the skillet with the meat and onions. Stir to combine, and saute another minute.
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Pour the meat mixture into the crockpot, and stir to combine.
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Top the mixture in the crockpot with the remaining mozzarella cheese and pepperoni slices.
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Cook on low for 3 hours. Test the noodles at this point, and cook on low an additional hour if not tender.
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Garnish with the parmesan cheese and serve.
Thanks for stopping by today. I hope you enjoy my family’s favorite crockpot pepperoni pizza recipe. It’s really delish.
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