Crockpot Pizza Casserole
Pasta, sausage, pepperoni, and marinara with mozzarella on top; the pasta goes in cooked so it does not turn to paste.
Crockpot Pizza Casserole
Course: Main CourseDifficulty: Easy6
servings20
minutes3
hoursPasta, sausage, pepperoni, and marinara with mozzarella on top; the pasta goes in cooked so it does not turn to paste.
Ingredients
12 oz rigatoni or penne, cooked 3 minutes less than the package says
1 lb Italian sausage, browned and drained
1 jar (24 oz) marinara
1 cup pepperoni slices
1 green bell pepper and ½ onion, diced
1 tsp Italian seasoning
2 cups shredded mozzarella
Salt and black pepper to taste
Fresh basil leaves to finish
Red pepper flakes to serve
Directions
- Gather and measure everything before you start, so nothing waits on the counter.
- Brown the sausage with the pepper and onion and drain.
- Stir the sausage, marinara, half the pepperoni, and the seasoning together in the insert.
- Cook 2–3 hours on LOW.
- Fold in the drained pasta.
- Top with the mozzarella and the rest of the pepperoni and cook 15–20 minutes, until the cheese melts.
- Check that the cheese has melted into a blanket and the pasta is tender but still holds its shape.
- Let the casserole rest 10 minutes with the lid off so the layers set.
- Scoop with a wide spoon straight down to the bottom, so each serving has every layer.
- Cool leftovers within 2 hours and refrigerate in shallow containers for up to 4 days.
Notes
- Undercook the pasta. It keeps soaking up sauce in the pot.
Why undercook the pasta
Pasta keeps absorbing sauce in the pot, so it finishes cooking there. Pulling it three minutes early keeps it from turning to paste.
Browning the sausage first gives it a better flavor and removes extra fat.
Crockpot Pizza Casserole: swaps
Ground beef can replace sausage, and turkey pepperoni works too. Mushrooms or olives are easy additions. Do not use fresh mozzarella, which turns watery.
Penne holds sauce well. Skip tiny pasta shapes.
Serve and store
A crisp green salad and garlic bread suit it. Leftovers keep in shallow containers. Reheat with a splash of water or sauce, because the pasta soaks up moisture overnight.
One mistake with this casserole
Draining the sausage badly. Extra grease floats in the sauce and the cheese turns oily. Drain it well, and fold in the pasta only when the sauce is hot. Let the cheese melt into a blanket before you scoop.
Warm bread on the side is a good way to finish off the sauce on the plate. Kids tend to like the pepperoni on top most, so save a few slices for the last layer.
Crockpot Pizza Casserole at a glance
- Prep time: 20 minutes
- Cooking time: 3 hours
- Servings: 6 servings
- Ingredients: 10, led by rigatoni or penne, Italian sausage, jar (24 oz) marinara, pepperoni slices
Tips for Crockpot Pizza Casserole
Undercook the pasta. It keeps soaking up sauce in the pot.
Crockpot Pizza Casserole FAQ
How long does Crockpot Pizza Casserole take?
Crockpot Pizza Casserole takes 3 hours of cooking after 20 minutes of prep.
How many people does Crockpot Pizza Casserole serve?
This recipe makes 6 servings.
What do I need to make Crockpot Pizza Casserole?
10 ingredients, led by rigatoni or penne, Italian sausage, jar (24 oz) marinara, pepperoni slices. Amounts are in the recipe card above.
Part of: 10 Crockpot Casserole Recipes for Dinner
