Easy Crock-Pot Pizza Casserole
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Warm, cheesy, saucy and everything you want from an easy dinner, this Crock-Pot Pizza Casserole with noodles is a winning recipe!
If you like this recipe you may also enjoy our Ground Beef Hash Brown Casserole.
Crock Pot Pizza Casserole Recipe
Egg noodles create the pizza crust in this simple crock pot recipe for picky eaters. My kids love meals with a combination of meat and pasta like our Chicken & Pasta Casserole.
There’s a great combination of flavors in every bite, making slow cooker pizza casserole an easy family meal.
Cooking noodles and browning the meat is the most time consuming portion of meal preparation. So meal prep is minimal and the recipe comes together very quickly!
Like our Hamburger & Noodle Casserole and Sausage & Potato Casserole you just feel happy after a serving of this comfort food.
Why this recipe works:
- Leftovers reheat well
- Meat can be browned and noodles can be cooked ahead, buttered and put in the fridge until time to assemble and cook
- Recipe is easy to double for large families or a party
- Can be made in a regular oval shaped slow cooker or a casserole shaped slow cooker
- Works well with noodles or pasta depending on your preference
- Less than 30 minutes of hands-on time makes this meal very easy
- Ground beef can be substituted for sausage, turkey sausage or ground chicken
Ingredients Needed:
- Hamburger or Sausage are the best meats to satisfy and provide a complimentary flavor. Try to avoid Italian or Zesty seasoned meat as those flavors will dominate all of the other ingredients.
- Cheddar and Mozzarella Cheeses are our favorite, but your favorite combination of cheese can also be used. Freshly shredded cheese will melt much better than pre-shredded, but it does take more time to prep.
- Egg Noodles provide the home style recipe we love, but pasta works fine too. I like the wide egg noodles.
- Pasta Sauce keeps the dish moist and delicious. Prepare some homemade sauce or use your favorite jar!
- Pepperoni is a nice accent, but can get overwhelming if too much is used.
Step By Step Instructions
Brown meat and drain. The meat is done cooking when no pink remains.
Add onions and mushrooms. Cover and cook over medium heat until vegetables are softened.
Stir often to prevent sticking and help create even crumbles.
Add sauce and Italian seasoning to the meat and stir well. Once sauce is warm turn the heat off.
Cook noodles according to the directions on the package and drain.
Layer half of the noodles in a lined or lightly greased 5 quart or larger slow cooker.
Then add half of meat and cheese mixture.
Cover with cheddar cheese and a few pepperonis or about one ounce.
Add the remaining noodles in an even layer.
Then layer the rest of the meat sauce.
Top with mozzarella cheese and remaining pepperoni.
Cover and cook on low for 3 to 4 hours until everything is warmed through and the cheese is melting.
Check about 2 to 2 1/2 hours in to make sure the edges are still soft. Stir only if necessary to help the pizza casserole cook more evenly.
When a meat thermometer inserted in the center reads 145F it is done cooking since all of the ingredients were pre-cooked before adding.
Serve warm and enjoy!
Recipe Tips & Tricks
- If edges are starting to brown before the center is warmed through you may stir as needed.
- All ingredients should be pre-cooked so the slow cooker should be warming everything and melting the cheese.
- Avoid Italian sausage or a single ingredient with very much spice or that may be the only ingredient that you taste.
- Be careful not to overdo the pepperonis, as they are better as an accent than a primary flavor.
More Easy Family Dinner Recipes:
Country Ribs & Sauerkraut make a beautiful presentation and are simple to make on a large sheet pan in the oven.
Cabbage Casserole with Sauerkraut is another warm and healthy meal that we’re proud to serve.
Crock Pot Chuck Roast is one of our family’s regular meals!
Sausage Fried Rice is a simple skillet meal with love with a little kick.
Crock-Pot Pizza Casserole
Author: JenniferEquipment
Ingredients
- 12 ounces wide egg noodles
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
- 1/4 cup onion chopped
- 28 ounce jar spaghetti sauce
- 4 ounces mushrooms chopped
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 2 ounces pepperoni sliced
- 1 1/2 cups shredded Mozzarella cheese
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Coat 6 quart or larger crock with non-stick cooking spray or a liner.
- Cook noodles according to the instructions on the package and drain.
- Brown ground beef and drain. Add Italian seasoning, onion and mushrooms and cook until tender.
- Stir spaghetti sauce into meat.
- Layer 1/3 of noodles, meat sauce, pepperoni and cheese. Repeat layers twice until all ingredients are used.
- Cover and cook on low for 3 to 4 hours.
Notes
- If edges are starting to brown before the center is warmed through you may stir as needed.