Crock Pot Pizza Casserole

This Crock Pot Pizza Casserole is an hearty comfort food recipe. It's a perfect easy dinner option for a busy weeknight. If your family loves pizza and pasta ... and you love convenience, give this crockpot pizza pasta recipe a whirl. After all, who doesn't love pizza?

This easy to make crockpot pizza casserole recipe will soon be a family favorite. It's an amazing slow cooker dish that takes just 15 minutes to prep and the entire family will love this delicious meal that brings together all the flavors of classic pizza in every bite!

Crock Pot Pizza Casserole

While most pizza casserole recipes are made in the oven, here we've harnessed the convenience of the slow cooker. No need to keep checking on a casserole in the oven, and if you properly prep your Crock pot as noted... easy clean up. Of course, it is far easier to keep your dinner warm this way too. With busy families, that can be a big help.

This slow cooker recipe would pair fabulously with my Italian eggplant casserole or Instant Pot Tuscan chicken.

Making the Casserole in the Slow Cooker

Now let's get down to how to make this crockpot pizza casserole. For easy reference, a detailed recipe card with step-by-step instructions and precise ingredient measurements is provided below.

The recipe makes 8 servings.

Prep time: 15 mins

Cook Time: 90 mins-1 hour on high or cook on low for 3-4 hours

What you need to make the crock pot recipe:

• 1 pound pasta I used fusilli, but rigatoni, ziti or penne are other great choices.
• 2 teaspoons  olive oil
• 1 pound  ground beef, turkey, pork or chicken Feel free to substitute ground Italian sausage or spicy chorizo instead of ground beef if you prefer the taste.
• 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon  black pepper
• ½ cup chopped onions (about 1 small onion)
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced (or ½ teaspoon garlic powder)
• 2 small cans pizza sauce ( or 14 ounce jars) Yes, you can use a standard size jar of spaghetti sauce (marinara) instead if you like. Marinara sauce is usually a bit thinner in consistency than pizza sauce, so the casserole may be slightly saucier.
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup
• 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
• 1 ½ cups shredded mild cheddar cheese, divided
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
• sliced pepperoni ***optional to top the casserole with

Instructions: Starting Prep

1. Parboil your pasta. You should cook the pasta a little firmer than standard al dente.
2. Brown your meat. Season it with the Italian seasoning and salt and pepper, while cooking. Drain off the excess grease.
3. Prep your slow cooker by inserting a liner or greasing the inside (this is easy with non-stick cooking spray. Either will make for much easier clean-up later.

Assemble the Crock Pot Pizza Casserole

Now let's put it all together!

Start with the drained cooked pasta.

Add the pizza sauce and cream of mushroom soup.

Now dump in  the drained browned ground beef or Italian sausage.

Add about half of each of your cheeses.

Stir to mix, then dump this sauce mixture into your prepared crock pot. (Yes you can mix it in crockpot if you prefer.)

Sprinkle the rest of your shredded cheese on top. Feel free to toss on some pepperoni slices or your other favorite pizza toppings.

Cover and cook the pasta casserole on high for 90 minutes to 2 hours OR cook on low for about three hours, up to four. The casserole is done when the cheese is lightly browned around the edges. The casserole can be cooked longer, but be careful not to overcook.

Now the crock pot pizza casserole is ready to serve.  Reduce the slow cooker to the warm setting until the whole family is done eating.

Top each serving of pizza pasta with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan or some freshly sliced basil or a bit of chopped parsley for freshness.

Variations on Crock Pot Pizza Casserole

Pretty much any meat you would put on a pizza you could add to this slow cooker pizza casserole. Sliced pepperoni is of course a popular choice, as is chopped ham or Canadian bacon. You can also add veggies such as; green pepper slices, onions, olives, mushrooms... pretty much any pizza topping. I would not start adding pineapple though...lol.

Some also prefer to swap jarred alfredo sauce for the can of soup in their crockpot pizza casserole version.

Crock Pot Pizza Casserole Recipe

This Crockpot Pizza Casserole is easy comfort food that the family will love. Enjoy pizza flavors in a simple pasta meal!

4.92 from 35 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Casserole, Main Course

Cuisine: American, Italian

Keyword: comfort food, crockpot casserole, easy dinner

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour hour 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour 45 minutes minutes

Servings: 8

Calories: 618kcal

Author: Robin Gagnon

Equipment

• Slow Cooker

Ingredients

• 1 pound pasta
• 2 teaspoons  olive oil
• 1 pound  ground beef or ground Italian sausage
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon  black pepper
• ½ cup onions, chopped about 1 small onion
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 2 cans pizza sauce 14-15oz
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup
• 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese divided
• 1 ½ cups shredded mild cheddar cheese divided
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese divided

Instructions

• Par-cook pasta until just under al dente.
• In a medium pan over medium heat, warm oil and add ground sausage. Cook for 5-7 minutes, breaking the sausage as you go until it has been browned on all sides and cooked through. Drain excess grease.
• In a large bowl, add all ingredients together except for half of each cheese.
• Insert liner in slow cooker or grease the inside, then pour in the mixed ingredients.
• Top with remaining cheeses.
• Cover with lid and cook on high for 1 ½-2 hours or low for 3-4 hours.

Notes

Notes: You can top the cheese with pepperoni or cooked crumbled bacon, if desired.

Store leftover pizza casserole in an airtight container after cooling. It will last 3-4 days in the refrigerator and up to 3 months in the freezer. Reheat in microwave or in a skillet on the stove top. Heat through and add a little sauce or shredded cheese if needed. 

Nutrition

Calories: 618kcal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Cholesterol: 92mg | Sodium: 1558mg | Potassium: 720mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 892IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 438mg | Iron: 3mg

More Easy Crock Pot Recipes

Here are a few more slow cooker recipes you may enjoy.

• Crock Pot Corn Casserole
• Crock Pot Tuna Casserole
• Slow Cooker Meatloaf Recipe with Potatoes and Carrots
• Crock pot Chicken Alfredo Pasta
• Little Smokies Crock Pot Recipe
• Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes