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A serving utensil lifting some Crock Pot Pizza Casserole out of the Slow Cooker.
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Crock Pot Pizza Casserole

Crock Pot Pizza Casserole is the best of both worlds: pizza and pasta! Get all the ingredients added to your slow cooker then let it do the rest of the work!
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours 15 minutes
Total Time 4 hours 45 minutes
Servings 12 servings
Calories 460kcal
Author Brandie Skibinski

Ingredients

  • 1 pound rigatoni
  • 1 pound lean ground beef (see notes below)
  • 1 pound ground Italian sausage (sweet or spicy)
  • 1 small sweet onion, diced
  • 3.5 ounce package pepperoni
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 (14 ounce) jars pizza sauce
  • 16 ounce bag shredded mozzarella
  • chopped parsley (optional, optional)

Instructions

  • Spray a 6-quart or larger slow cooker with cooking spray and set aside.
  • Cook 1 pound rigatoni per the directions on the back of the box to al dente (you don't want the pasta super soft as it will get softer in the crock pot), drain well, and set aside.
    A strainer of cooked rigatoni.
  • While the rigatoni is cooking, place a large skillet over medium-high heat, add 1 pound lean ground beef, 1 pound ground Italian sausage and 1 small sweet onion, diced break the meat up into crumbles. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions have softened and there is no pink left in the meat.
    A skillet with onion, ground beef and sausage.
  • Lower the heat to medium-low, add 3.5 ounce package pepperoni and 4 cloves garlic, minced. Stir it in well, and continue to cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
    Pepperoni, onion, ground beef and sausage in a skillet.
  • Drain any excess grease and add it to a large bowl. Add 3 (14 ounce) jars pizza sauce to the bowl and stir to combine.
    A mixing bowl of pizza sauce, meat, onion, and pepperoni.
  • Add the cooked rigatoni and stir well until everything is coated.
    Cooked rigatoni, pizza sauce, pepperoni, sausage, ground beef, and onion in a bowl.
  • Add half of the pasta mixture to the slow cooker.
    Half the pasta mixture in the slow cooker.
  • Top with half of the shredded mozzarella cheese.
    Half the cheese on the pasta mixture in a slow cooker.
  • Add the remaining pasta mixture on top.
    More pasta mixture on top of cheese and more pasta.
  • Add the remaining shredded mozzarella cheese on top of the pasta.
    Cheese on top of pasta mixture in a slow cooker.
  • Add the lid and cook on low for 3-4 hours until warmed through and the cheese is melted. Serve immediately topped with chopped parsley (if using).
    Looking down on a crock pot filled with Pizza Casserole.

Notes

  • Please refer to my FAQ’s (Frequently Asked Questions) and ingredient list above for other substitutions or for the answers to the most common questions.
  • You can use all ground beef if you prefer.
  • If you'd like, you can use less meat. Just one pound of ground beef will work.
  • Don't want to use pizza sauce? Two smaller (24 ounce) jars of marinara sauce will also work. Or you can just use one and a half jars if you don't want it too saucy.

Nutrition

Calories: 460kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 25g | Sodium: 1119mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g
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