Description
Crock Pot Pizza Casserole is the ultimate comfort food, blending hearty pasta, savory beef and Italian-spiced sausage, and gooey melted mozzarella into one stress-free meal. Perfect for busy weeknights, this slow-cooker dish captures the nostalgic essence of pizza in a comforting casserole format. It is a reliable, balanced, and kid-friendly dinner that allows you to set the foundation early and return home to a wholesome, ready-to-serve feast that warms the spirit.
Ingredients
8 ounces short pasta (rigatoni, penne, or ziti)
1 pound ground Italian turkey sausage
1/2 pound ground beef
8 ounces beef pepperoni, sliced
1/2 large white onion, finely chopped
42 ounces pizza sauce
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
2 cloves garlic, minced
16 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
Boil a large pot of salted water and cook pasta for 6 to 7 minutes until slightly firm; drain and set aside.
In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground turkey sausage and ground beef with the diced onions until fully cooked.
Drain excess fat from the meat mixture and stir in the minced garlic and Italian seasoning.
In your slow cooker, combine the cooked pasta, meat mixture, and pizza sauce, stirring well to coat everything evenly.
Fold in half of the pepperoni slices.
Top the mixture with the shredded mozzarella cheese and the remaining pepperoni slices.
Cover and cook on low for 2 to 3 hours, or until the cheese is bubbly and melted and the flavors have melded together.
Notes
Ensure you use beef pepperoni to keep the dish free of pork. You can add sliced bell peppers or mushrooms for extra vegetables. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 950mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 85mg