If your family believes nothing brings folks together like a bubbling, cheesy, comforting casserole, this is the recipe that will win everyone over! Crock Pot Pizza Casserole is everything you love about pizza and pasta, wrapped up into a warm, saucy, and absolutely irresistible slow cooker meal. All the classic flavors come together seamlessly — pepperoni, gooey mozzarella, Italian sausage — in a way that feels like a big food hug at the end of a long day. You get all the satisfaction of pizza night with hardly any hands-on work, making it the perfect solution for crazy-busy evenings or fun weekend gatherings.

Crock Pot Pizza Casserole Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s what makes this Crock Pot Pizza Casserole so memorable: a short list of simple ingredients, each bringing its own superstar flavor, heartiness, or texture. Every component works together to create that iconic pizza-pasta experience — incredibly easy, but so much more delicious than takeout!

Ground Beef: Adds richness and a satisfying meaty bite — choose lean for a lighter casserole, or regular for even more flavor.
Italian Sausage: Brings that signature herby, savory zing you know and love from pizza toppings.
Onion (diced): Infuses the base with sweetness and depth, especially as it softens and melds with the meats.
Minced Garlic: A classic aromatic that lifts every bite with a pop of flavor.
Rotini Pasta: The spiral shape catches lots of sauce and cheese, giving each forkful tons of flavor!
Pizza Sauce: The tangy, tomato-y core of the dish — opt for your favorite jarred variety for convenience and big flavor.
Pepperoni Slices: These create an unmistakable pizza taste, plus a gorgeous pepperoni “crust” right on top.
Mozzarella Cheese (shredded): Melts perfectly into gooey, stringy goodness throughout the casserole.
Italian Seasoning: Brings together basil, oregano, and other classic herbs for full-on pizza vibes.
Salt: Boosts and balances all those savory flavors — a must!
Black Pepper: Adds just the right amount of gentle spice to round things out.

How to Make Crock Pot Pizza Casserole

Step 1: Brown the Meat and Sauté the Onion

Start off strong by browning your ground beef, Italian sausage, and diced onion in a large skillet over medium-high heat. This is where the flavor foundation comes together, so make sure you let the onions soften and the meat get plenty of color. After about eight minutes, stir in garlic and cook for just one more fragrant minute. Drain off any extra fat, and get ready for the magic.

Step 2: Mix Meat and Sauce in the Crock Pot

Transfer your perfectly browned meat mixture to your crock pot, add both jars of pizza sauce, a generous sprinkling of Italian seasoning, plus the salt and black pepper. Stir everything together, breathing in those fantastic, herby aromas. At this moment, it already smells like pizza night in your kitchen!

Step 3: Add Pasta and Stir

Pour in the uncooked rotini pasta right into your crock pot. Don’t worry — there’s no need to boil it first! Stir thoroughly so every single noodle is coated with that flavorful sauce and nestled among all that savory meat. Be sure nothing is left dry; the pasta will soak up all that pizza goodness as it cooks.

Step 4: Make Sure Pasta is Covered

Take a second to check that all pasta is submerged — press any stray pieces down so they have plenty of sauce around them. This trick ensures your casserole stays perfectly tender and not at all crunchy.

Step 5: Layer Pepperoni

Next comes everyone’s favorite part: the pepperoni! Arrange the slices right over the top of your saucy casserole. Not only do they create a beautiful layer, but the pepperoni’s flavor will infuse every bite as they bake.

Step 6: Slow Cook Until Tender

Pop the lid on the crock pot and set it on low for 2.5 to 3 hours, or high for 1.5 to 2 hours. Let the rotini soak up those delicious pizza flavors. You’ll know it’s ready once the pasta is tender and those heavenly pizza smells are wafting through your house.

Step 7: Stir and Add Mozzarella

Gently stir the casserole to redistribute all the ingredients, then stir in 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle the remaining cup on top for next-level cheesy drama!

Step 8: Melt the Cheese

Cover again and let it cook for another 5 to 10 minutes, just long enough to get the cheese bubbling, melted, and irresistible. Now it truly looks and smells like the pizza of your dreams — in casserole form!

Step 9: Serve Crock Pot Pizza Casserole!

Once the cheese blanket is gooey and perfect, you’re ready to dig in. Spoon up generous servings and prepare for pure pizza-pasta joy.

How to Serve Crock Pot Pizza Casserole

Garnishes

This dish is already an eye-catcher, but you can add a final flourish with a sprinkle of fresh basil, parsley, or extra grated parmesan right before serving. A pinch of red pepper flakes or a drizzle of good olive oil also works wonders for a little chef’s kiss on top.

Side Dishes

Bring on the pizzaria classics! Crock Pot Pizza Casserole pairs beautifully with a crisp green salad (think romaine, tomatoes, red onions, and a tangy Italian dressing) or garlic bread for sopping up any leftover sauce. Roasted veggies or sautéed green beans also round out your meal and make it feel complete.

Creative Ways to Present

Give every diner their own ramekin for mini casseroles, or layer in a few extra pizza toppings (think black olives, mushrooms, or bell peppers) just before serving for a personalized twist. For parties, you can even serve in disposable cups for the ultimate grab-and-go comfort food!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Stash extra Crock Pot Pizza Casserole in an airtight container in the fridge. It keeps perfectly for up to four days, and flavors only deepen over time, making leftovers a truly happy lunch or easy dinner.

Freezing

You absolutely can freeze this casserole! Simply let it cool completely, portion into freezer-safe containers or bags, and store for up to three months. For best results, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

Pop single servings in the microwave, or reheat larger portions in the oven at 350 degrees until hot and bubbly. Add a splash of extra sauce if it seems a little dry, and you’ll be amazed at how well the flavors hold up — maybe even better than day one!

FAQs

Can I use a different type of pasta in Crock Pot Pizza Casserole?

Definitely! While rotini catches lots of sauce, penne or ziti work beautifully too. Just stick with sturdy, short shapes to ensure they cook evenly and hold all that cheesy, meaty filling.

Can I make this vegetarian?

Absolutely — just swap out the meats for your favorite plant-based alternatives, or load up on veggies like mushrooms, peppers, and olives for a hearty, meatless version everyone will love.

What can I use instead of pepperoni?

Feel free to get creative! Sliced salami, cooked bacon, or veggie slices like roasted zucchini or eggplant are all delicious on top of Crock Pot Pizza Casserole.

Can I prep this the night before?

You sure can. Brown the meat and assemble everything in your crock pot insert, then cover and refrigerate overnight. The next day, just pop it into the slow cooker and follow the cooking instructions — so easy!

Will the pasta get mushy if I cook Crock Pot Pizza Casserole too long?

It’s best enjoyed in the recommended time window. If overcooked, the pasta can get too soft, so keep an eye on it and check for doneness after the minimum time listed. Every slow cooker is a little different, so trust your taste!

Final Thoughts

I truly hope you give this Crock Pot Pizza Casserole a spin for your next cozy family meal or get-together — it’s just the right mix of nostalgic, cheesy, and downright delicious. Let a bubbling crock pot do the work, and get ready to watch everyone go back for seconds (and maybe even thirds!).