Slow Cooker Pizza Casserole

Dive into the comforting flavors of this Slow Cooker Pizza Casserole, where the classic taste of pizza meets hearty casserole goodness. Perfectly seasoned layers of ground beef, Italian sausage, and tender penne pasta are slow-cooked to perfection in a rich, garlicky pizza sauce. This dish is loaded with gooey mozzarella and cheddar cheese, topped with pepperoni, and customizable with optional veggies like black olives or green bell peppers. The slow cooking magic ensures a perfectly blended, melt-in-your-mouth meal with minimal effort and maximum flavor. Ideal for busy weeknights or potlucks, this family-friendly recipe delivers all the cheesy, meaty goodness of pizza in a cozy, one-pot meal.

Nutriscore Rating: 63/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:240 mins

Total Time:260 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 1 pound Ground beef
• 0.5 pound Italian sausage
• 1 medium Yellow onion, diced
• 3 cloves Garlic cloves, minced
• 24 ounces Pizza sauce
• 14 ounces Diced tomatoes, drained
• 12 ounces Penne pasta, uncooked
• 1 cup Water
• 2 cups Mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded
• 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 cup Pepperoni slices
• 0.5 cup Black olives, sliced (optional)
• 1 medium Green bell pepper, diced (optional)
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 0.25 teaspoon Red pepper flakes (optional)

Directions

Step 1

In a large skillet, cook the ground beef and Italian sausage over medium heat until browned. Drain any excess fat.

Step 2

Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the meat. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until the onions are softened and fragrant.

Step 3

Stir in the pizza sauce and drained diced tomatoes. Season with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes.

Step 4

Spray the inside of your slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray.

Step 5

Layer half of the uncooked penne pasta at the bottom of the slow cooker.

Step 6

Pour half of the meat sauce mixture over the pasta, spreading it out evenly.

Step 7

Sprinkle 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese over the meat sauce.

Step 8

Repeat the layers with the remaining pasta, meat sauce, and cheeses.

Step 9

Pour 1 cup of water evenly over the layers in the slow cooker to ensure the pasta cooks properly.

Step 10

Top the casserole with pepperoni slices, black olives, and diced green bell pepper (if using). Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese over the toppings.

Step 11

Cover and cook on low for 4 hours, or until the pasta is tender and fully cooked.

Step 12

Once done, uncover the slow cooker and let the casserole sit for 10 minutes to set before serving.

Step 13

Serve warm, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese or fresh herbs, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(3312.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	6278.0

Total Fat 385.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 160.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 11.2g
Cholesterol 1089.2mg	0%
Sodium 15870.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 405.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 47.6g	0%
Total Sugars 82.2g
Protein 333.0g	0%

Vitamin D 146.5IU	0%
Calcium 3457.3mg	0%
Iron 42.4mg	0%
Potassium 9175.2mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 54.0%

Protein: 20.7%

Carbs: 25.2%