Crock Pot Pizza Casserole: Easy & Cheesy Family Dinner

Imagine all the delicious, cheesy, meaty goodness of your favorite pizza, transformed into a comforting, easy-to-make casserole that cooks mostly hands-free in your slow cooker! This Crock Pot Pizza Casserole brings together tender pasta, savory ground beef and Italian sausage, zesty pizza sauce, and a generous blanket of melted mozzarella cheese. It’s the ultimate family-friendly meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights, potlucks, or any time you’re craving a taste of pizza in a hearty, satisfying format.

Why I Love This Recipe

This Pizza Casserole is a game-changer for dinner! What I love most is how it takes the beloved flavors of pizza and simplifies the cooking process using the slow cooker. There’s minimal active cooking, allowing the flavors of the ground beef, Italian sausage, and zesty pizza sauce to meld beautifully. The rigatoni pasta soaks up all that deliciousness, and the layers of melted mozzarella create a gooey, comforting experience with every bite. It’s incredibly satisfying, feeds a crowd, and is guaranteed to be a huge hit with both kids and adults. Plus, the convenience of the slow cooker means you can set it and forget it until dinner time!

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to create this incredibly comforting Crock Pot Pizza Casserole:

1 pound rigatoni
1 pound lean ground beef
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 (for garnish), optional

Swaps and Notes

Pasta: Rigatoni is great for holding the sauce, but you can use other pasta shapes like penne, ziti, or even rotini.
Ground Meats: The combination of ground beef and Italian sausage provides fantastic flavor depth. You can use all beef, all sausage, or even ground turkey for a leaner option. Adjust seasoning if you change the meat.
Pepperoni: Mini pepperonis are great for distributing evenly. You can also use sliced turkey pepperoni or omit it if preferred.
Onion: A sweet onion will soften nicely and add a mild sweetness. Yellow onion works too.
Pizza Sauce: Use your favorite brand of jarred pizza sauce for convenience. You can also use plain crushed tomatoes and add your own Italian seasonings, salt, and a pinch of sugar.
Mozzarella Cheese: Pre-shredded mozzarella is a time-saver. You can also grate a block of whole-milk mozzarella for a gooier melt.
Optional Add-ins: Feel free to add other pizza toppings you love, such as diced bell peppers, sliced mushrooms, black olives, or even a handful of spinach.

Instructions

Let’s get this delicious and easy Crock Pot Pizza Casserole simmering!

Prepare Slow Cooker: Spray a 6-quart or larger slow cooker generously with cooking spray. Set it aside.
Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rigatoni and cook according to the package directions until it is al dente (still slightly firm to the bite). It’s important not to overcook it, as it will continue to cook in the slow cooker. Drain the pasta well and set it aside.
Brown Meats and Onion: While the rigatoni is cooking, place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the lean ground beef and ground Italian sausage to the skillet. Use a spoon or meat chopper to break up the meat into small crumbles. Add the diced sweet onion to the pan with the meat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions have softened and there is no pink left in the meat. Drain any excess fat from the pan.
Add Pepperoni and Garlic: Lower the heat to medium-low. Add the package of pepperoni and the minced garlic to the pan with the cooked meat and onions. Stir everything in well and continue to cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. This allows the pepperoni to release its flavor and the garlic to become fragrant.
Combine Filling: Drain the meat mixture very well to remove any remaining grease. Transfer the drained mixture to a large mixing bowl. Add the three (14 ounce) jars of pizza sauce to the bowl and stir thoroughly to combine everything.
Coat Pasta: Add the cooked al dente pasta to the large bowl with the meat and sauce mixture. Stir well until all the pasta is evenly coated with the delicious pizza sauce and meat.
Layer in Slow Cooker: Add half of the coated pasta mixture to the prepared slow cooker, spreading it into an even layer. Top this layer with half (approximately 8 ounces) of the shredded mozzarella cheese. Add the remaining pasta mixture on top of the cheese, spreading it evenly.
Final Cheese & Cook: Add the remaining half (approximately 8 ounces) of the shredded mozzarella cheese on top of the pasta. Place the lid on the slow cooker. Cook on low for 3-4 hours until the casserole is warmed through, bubbly around the edges, and the cheese is fully melted and gooey.
Serve: Serve immediately, garnishing with chopped fresh parsley if desired for a burst of color and freshness.

Tips for Success

Al Dente Pasta: Cooking the pasta al dente is crucial. It will continue to cook and absorb liquid in the slow cooker, so starting it slightly firm prevents it from becoming mushy.
Drain Meat Well: Draining excess fat from the ground meats is important for a casserole that isn’t greasy.
Don’t Overcook: The goal in the slow cooker is to warm everything through and melt the cheese, not to cook the ingredients further. Overcooking can lead to mushy pasta.
Layering: Layering the cheese in the middle and on top ensures gooey goodness throughout the casserole.
Lid On: Keep the lid on the slow cooker during cooking to maintain consistent heat and prevent moisture loss.

Serving Suggestions and Pairings

This Crock Pot Pizza Casserole is a complete and hearty meal on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with a few simple additions:

Garlic Bread or Breadsticks: Perfect for soaking up any extra sauce.
Side Salad: A crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette provides a refreshing contrast to the rich casserole.
Steamed Vegetables: A simple side of broccoli or green beans.
For other incredibly popular cheesy, easy-to-make dishes, consider serving this alongside This Crockpot Nacho Dip Is The Reason I Never Have Leftovers (https://chefmaniac.com/this-crockpot-nacho-dip-is-the-reason-i-never-have-leftovers/) for a party spread.

Storage and Leftover Tips

This casserole makes fantastic leftovers, often tasting even better the next day as the flavors deepen!

Refrigeration: Store any cooled leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Reheating: Reheat individual portions in the microwave until warmed through. For larger amounts, you can cover it with foil and reheat in a 300°F (150°C) oven until hot and bubbly.
Freezing: This casserole freezes well. Cool completely, then transfer to freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. The pasta might be slightly softer after freezing and thawing, but it will still be delicious.

More Recipes You Will Love

If you enjoyed the hearty, cheesy, and easy nature of this slow cooker pizza casserole, you’ll definitely want to explore some of our other fantastic, fuss-free recipes:

For a super quick and easy weeknight dinner shortcut, our This Dorito Casserole Is My Favorite Weeknight Dinner Shortcut (https://chefmaniac.com/this-dorito-casserole-is-my-favorite-weeknight-dinner-shortcut/) is a must-try!
If you’re a fan of quick comfort food that uses your Instant Pot, check out This Instant Pot Lasagna Is My Favorite Way to Make Comfort Food Fast (https://chefmaniac.com/this-instant-pot-lasagna-is-my-favorite-way-to-make-comfort-food-fast/).
And for a classic, comforting pasta dish, don’t miss our Classic Spaghetti Recipe with Homemade Sauce(https://chefmaniac.com/classic-spaghetti-recipe-with-homemade-sauce/).
Finally, for another go-to chicken dinner that’s super versatile, our These Chicken Enchiladas Are My Go-To for Cozy Crowd-Pleasing Dinners (https://chefmaniac.com/these-chicken-enchiladas-are-my-go-to-for-cozy-crowd-pleasing-dinners/) are a winner.

Final Thoughts

This Crock Pot Pizza Casserole is a brilliant solution for busy families or anyone craving a fun, flavorful, and incredibly comforting meal without spending hours in the kitchen. It combines all the best parts of pizza and pasta into one glorious, cheesy dish that’s sure to become a regular request in your home.

Give this recipe a try and let me know how much you love this easy pizza night solution! What are your favorite pizza toppings you’d add to a casserole? Share your ideas in the comments below! And for more amazing, easy-to-follow recipes that bring joy to your kitchen, be sure to visit Chefmaniac.com. Happy cooking!