A cheesy, hearty, and comforting slow-cooker dinner that combines everything you love about pizza with tender pasta. Loaded with seasoned ground beef, pepperoni, tomato sauce, and plenty of melted cheese, this is an easy family-friendly meal.
🍕 Ingredients
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 jar (24 oz / 680 g) pizza sauce or marinara sauce
- 1 can (14–15 oz / 400 g) diced tomatoes, drained
- 3 cups uncooked rotini or penne pasta
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup sliced pepperoni
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup water or beef broth
- Optional: sliced mushrooms, bell peppers, olives, or cooked Italian sausage
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Brown the Beef
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and diced onion.
Cook until the beef is completely browned and the onion is softened, about 6–8 minutes.
Drain any excess grease, then stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
2. Combine the Ingredients
Transfer the cooked beef mixture to the crockpot.
Add the pizza sauce, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, oregano, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and water or beef broth.
Stir everything together.
3. Add the Pasta
Add the uncooked pasta and stir well so it is coated with the sauce.
Cover the crockpot and cook on:
- LOW: 3–4 hours
- HIGH: 1½–2½ hours
Check the pasta toward the end of cooking. You want it tender but not mushy.
4. Add the Cheese and Pepperoni
About 20–30 minutes before serving, stir in half of the mozzarella, cheddar, and pepperoni.
Spread the remaining cheese over the top and arrange a few extra pepperoni slices on top.
Cover again and cook until the cheese is completely melted and bubbly.
5. Serve
Turn off the crockpot and let the casserole rest for about 5–10 minutes before serving.
Scoop into bowls and enjoy while hot and cheesy.
⭐ Tips for the Best Pizza Casserole
- Don’t overcook the pasta. Slow cookers vary, so start checking it early.
- Use rotini, penne, or another sturdy pasta that holds up well during cooking.
- For extra pizza flavor, add more pepperoni on top just before serving.
- You can substitute ground beef with Italian sausage or use a combination of both.
- Add vegetables such as mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, or black olives for extra flavor.
- For an extra cheesy casserole, add another ½ cup of mozzarella before serving.
⏱️ Recipe Details
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 3–4 hours on LOW
Total Time: About 3½–4½ hours
Servings: 6–8
Cuisine: American/Italian-inspired
Method: Crockpot / Slow Cooker