These last few weeks I truly feel like I have been running around with my head cutoff. Between work and home life, with sports and lessons in between, my family is constantly on the go. One of my FAVORITE recipes for busy weeknights is this yummy and EASY Crockpot Pizza Casserole. My cousin actually introduced me to it a few years ago and we pop it in the crockpot early in the afternoon and by the time we come home from sporting events, we’re ready to eat dinner quickly. This easy crockpot recipe will be a family favorite is the perfect easy dinner idea for families! 
The ORIGINAL Crock Pot Pizza Casserole recipe that the internet fell in love with!! This is an incredibly easy and delicious meal for the entire family to enjoy! It is kid friendly and perfect for busy days! Check out why hundreds of thousands of people have pinned this recipe!
Crockpot Pizza Casserole Recipe
Crockpot Pizza Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 box Barilla Penne Pasta or any shaped pasta of choice, really, cooked el dente
- 2-3 cans pizza sauce
- 1 lb. beef browned
- 1 package pepperoni
- 16 oz. mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Start by cooking your pasta.
- While the box of pasta is cooking, start browning your beef, then add in one jar of pizza sauce and stir well.
- Once your pasta is cooked, mix the meat mixture (above) and pasta together, then pour into the slow cooker.
I layer the mixture into the slow cooker by putting some pizza sauce at the bottom of the crock pot, then add my noodle/beef mixture, then add some cheese on top, then top with pepperoni. Then I add more pasta/meat, more cheese, then more pepperoni. Layer the top of the casserole with cheese and pepperoni and put the lid on the crockpot.
- Let it cook for about 1-2 hours on low heat until everything is melted and smelling delicious, then enjoy!
Recipe Video
Start by cooking your pasta.
While the box of pasta is cooking, start browning your beef, then add in pizza sauce and stir well. Once your pasta is cooked, mix the meat mixture and pasta together, then pour into the slow cooker. You could just place directly in a 9×13 pan and put in the oven, but if you want to come back to it later, the slow cooker works just as well!
I layer the mixture into the slow cooker, so I put some tomato sauce at the bottom of the crock pot, then add my noodle/beef mixture, then add some cheese on top, then top with pepperoni. Then I add more pasta/meat, more cheese, then more pepperoni. Layer the top of the casserole with cheese and pepperoni and put the lid on the crockpot. Let it cook for about 1-2 hours on low heat until everything is melted and smelling delicious, then enjoy!
What are your go to meals for busy weeks?!
If you like this recipe…you definitely want to check out my Crockpot Cheesy Chicken Rigatoni or for dessert try my Crockpot Pizza Mac and Cheese recipe!
jada says
November 11, 2016 at 5:47 pmdo i cook it on high or low
Abbey says
November 13, 2016 at 7:35 pmLow 🙂
John says
November 16, 2016 at 9:57 amHi, this looks wonderful! How long and at what temperature would you recommend in the oven?
Barbara Wenk says
January 15, 2017 at 7:37 pmWhere is the recipe?
Abbey says
January 16, 2017 at 10:07 amHi Barbara, you click the Click to Continue Reading Button at the bottom to go to the recipe. Sorry for the confusion.
Isabelle C. says
February 1, 2017 at 1:00 pmHow many does this serve?
Abbey says
February 3, 2017 at 9:47 amI’d say for a full meal you could comfortably serve 6-8 adults or 8-10 with kids depending on how much people are eating. Larger servings…probably more like 6-8, if it’s just a side dish or part of a potluck, more like 10-12.
It’s a pretty decent size meal and for my family of 4 (two adults, two kids), we can comfortably eat as much as we want and still have enough for 2-3 more lunch containers full in the days following. Hope that helps.
Kelly says
February 3, 2017 at 8:09 amWhat temp on the crockpot?
Abbey says
February 3, 2017 at 9:44 amLow heat is fine.
Anita C says
February 21, 2017 at 1:27 amWhat size cans of pizza sauce?
Anita C says
February 21, 2017 at 9:48 pmHi..I’d like to ask what size cans of pizza sauce you use? 8oz or 15oz? I don’t use a crock pot often so I’m not sure what amount of liquid is needed.
Abbey says
February 26, 2017 at 8:45 pmI believe it was 8 oz.
Lindsey says
February 27, 2017 at 7:49 pmHave you tried to freeze this recipe then stick it in the crock pot? 🙂
Abbey says
March 3, 2017 at 3:46 pmHi Lindsey, I have not. It’s so simple to make, I wouldn’t necessarily need to freeze it…but it’s worth a try?
Stacey says
March 12, 2017 at 9:48 amIf you put it in the oven, how long and what temperature?
Christine says
April 4, 2017 at 4:05 pmI baked this dish in the oven instead and it turned out great!!!
Amanda says
April 18, 2017 at 5:58 pmWhat temp?
Noah says
June 4, 2017 at 7:49 pmWhat temp and how long in the oven?
Abbey says
June 5, 2017 at 4:04 pm350 for 30 minutes should do fine…you’re basically just melting the cheese on top at that point 🙂
Breia says
June 13, 2017 at 5:56 pmWould 1 box feed 2 people and leave left overs? Or should I use two boxes if I want left overs?
Amber says
September 12, 2017 at 6:53 pm1 box of pasta feeds my husband, 13yo daughter (who is an athlete and eats like a horse), and myself with leftovers.
LINDA STEPANCHENKO says
June 30, 2017 at 8:29 amabout how many would it feed? based on 3 men big plates. Should I double up. There will be 6 people
Abbey says
July 1, 2017 at 4:35 pmhmm…6 people should do ok. I think that’s how many people ate when I made it…it’s more than enough for a family of four, so I’m thinking 6 with no leftovers should be doable. Just in case, you could always double it and freeze whatever you don’t use.
Tori says
August 20, 2017 at 7:06 pmLooks so yummy. Thought to clarify, “pizza sauce” is basically any tomato-based sauce you want. I used marinara. I had never heard that term before so it was confusing to me at first. Hope this helps someone else 🙂
Abbey says
August 20, 2017 at 7:14 pmHi Tori, thanks for the comment. There actually is “Pizza Sauce”. I use Ragu: http://www.ragu.com/our-sauces/pizza-sauces/pizza-quick-traditional-sauce/ it typically has more seasoning to it. Traditional marinara is fine, but you’re essentially making rigatoni with pepperoni on top using that. 😉 Nothing wrong with that, but it won’t be a “Pizza-y” if you get my drift. Thanks for stopping by!
Barry says
August 22, 2017 at 9:41 amI make a recipe simular to this. I add cottage cheese to the meat sauce/pasta mixture to make it even cheeser. 30 minutes in oven at 350°F and it’s perfect. Truly a quick meal.
Abbey says
August 23, 2017 at 7:30 pmYum! Nice idea. I’ll have to try that out. Thanks for sharing.
Terri says
October 6, 2017 at 4:12 pmHi, I was just wondering how long you cook iit on low in the crockpot?
Thanks! Terri
Abbey says
October 12, 2017 at 6:30 pmHi Terri, I cook on low for about 2 hours until the cheese is melted. 🙂
Heather says
October 9, 2017 at 1:15 pmThis looks great and easy! Can’t wait to try!
DIANA JUNG says
October 20, 2017 at 3:26 pmI HAVE BEEN MAKING CROCK POT PIZZA FOR YEARS. IT IS GREAT AND EVEN THE PICKY EATERS LOVE IT. I USE SPAGHETTI SAUCE AND PIZZA SAUCE TOGETHER. I USE A LOT OF SAUCE. THE PASTA SEEMS TO SOAK IT UP AND I LIKE MINE TO TASTE VERY SAUCY. I ALSO ADD MUSHROOMS, ONION, GREEN PEPPER AND HAVE ADDED BLACK OLIVES. IT FREEZES WELL AND YOU CAN JUST REWARM IN THE MICROWAVE. I JUST ADD A LITTLE MORE SAUCE WHEN I REHEAT IT. IT ADDS MORE FLAVOR. HOPE THIS HELPS ANYONE WHO TRIES THIS RECIPE. IT IS A GREAT ONE.
Marianne says
November 18, 2017 at 10:40 amHi everyone, I love to cook in my crockpot, I have 7 of them. I had a suggestion for this recipe,, I considered using ground turkey instead of ground beef, only for the grease . I have so many crockpot recipes and using a pound of cheese there is a lot of grease, just a thought and hope it helps .
Abbey says
November 18, 2017 at 4:29 pmTHANKS FOR YOUR THOUGHTS, MARIANNE! 🙂
Cindy says
July 8, 2018 at 7:07 amThis is the first time I am seeing one of your recipes. I want to thank you for putting the ingredients at the beginning! So many put it after the end of their blog, which is fine, but once you read the blog and want to go back to make it again, it is slow going. I can’t wait to try this recipe!
Thank you!
Randa says
August 14, 2018 at 11:07 amHey! My family loves a recipe a lot like this. I add a can of cream soup with a can of milk and layer it between the meat and pasta. Then the cheese and pepperonis. Bake it in the oven. But would be great in the crock pot.
Abbey says
August 15, 2018 at 9:33 pmGreat ideas, thanks!
Rhianna says
August 20, 2018 at 7:07 pmIf you didn’t cook the pasta/ meat first, could you just keep it in the crock pot longer? I’d like to just dump it in the crock pot in the morning, and have it done by supper.
Lynne L says
December 30, 2018 at 3:30 pmMu husband is not a casserole fan, but he went back for seconds, which he rarely does these days. This recipe is delicious! I used a 16 oz. jar of Mid’s Pizza sauce, and it was just the right amount, and Mid’s is super delicious! Thanks for the great recipe!
Kayla says
January 8, 2019 at 11:04 pmBest dinner ever! I have made this many times now. Me and my husband like this better than normal pizza!
Melissa Cavanaugh says
March 5, 2019 at 10:37 pmI mixed everything together tonight.I will cook this tomorrow (crockpot).Cannot wait!!
Crystal says
April 14, 2019 at 10:48 pmCould you do this with gluten free pasta?
Abbey says
April 15, 2019 at 3:22 pmI’ve never tried, Crystal. Let me know how it goes! 🙂
Brenda Merriman says
May 2, 2019 at 6:53 pmMade this for supper and it was so delicious! I will definitely make it again.