Easy Slow Cooker Pizza Casserole

You have got to try this easy slow cooker pizza casserole recipe with jar sauce. It is amazing and my kids all time favorite meal! So easy to make this Crockpot casserole and great for dinner or a party with kids. You really can’t go wrong combining pizza and pasta together!

Slow Cooker Pepperoni Pizza Bake

Not only is it a great dinner for your family, but it’s great when you’re having a get together for the big game or other reason. If you’ve tried our Crockpot lasagna recipe, this one will become one of your favorites too.

You can add all your favorite toppings like sausage, olives and more. Let me show you just how easy this slow cooker pizza pasta is to make.

Let’s talk a little bit about slow cooking shall we?? First off I have a few different varieties and I love them all. Each one has an occasion to be used like….

1. This is my favorite 6 quart programmable one with a locking lid so it’s great for bringing to a potluck too.
2. I prefer not to use liners, but rather just spray olive oil inside before adding my food for easier cleanups.

Let me give you a peek of my pretty thang I bought recently. It goes with my kitchen so I can just leave it out on the countertop all the time. 😉

I know, yes……it IS that delicious!! You and your kids can thank me later. 😉 Now you may have made an air fryer pizza with your favorite toppings. You can use the same with this crockpot recipe, it is really versatile so you can make it as plain or packed with toppings as you want. We opted for pepperoni and sausage this time, but throwing in some olives is great too!

Their traditional style of sauce and the quality of their sauce goes perfectly with several of our favorite meals throughout the week and when I’m planning for get togethers like the big game. 1 pack of 3 will be enough for both of these meals, and The Big Game party I’m putting together….done!

You can go ahead and grab the mozzarella cheese, penne pasta (usually sold in a 5 pack of 1 lb. boxes), and any toppings you generally like on pizza while you’re at the store or Costco in larger quantities.

Crockpot Pizza Casserole Ingredients

• I use an entire jar of spaghetti sauce, usually Ragu (love the traditional flavor of this sauce)
• 1 1/2 lbs. of penne pasta noodles or any medium shape you love, shells work too
• 3 cups of mozzarella cheese and all my toppings like pepperoni etc.
• Ground beef or sausage need to be precooked in a pan before adding
• I use my 6 qt. crockpot to make this with

If you are having a smaller get together you could cut this in half and use a smaller slow cooker.

How to Make Pizza Casserole in Slow Cooker 

1. Now first you will want to get a pot of water boiling to cook your noodles. I boil them until they are al dente because they will cook a bit longer and soften a bit when you put them in with all the other ingredients.
2. Shred your cheese and cook your sausage or any other uncooked meats you want to put into your pizza casserole.
3. Now pour some spaghetti sauce on the bottom of your pot just to cover it, maybe 1 1/2 cups.
   • Then we are going to layer our other items kinda’ like lasagna.
4. Put about 1/3 of your noodles on top of your sauce, then your toppings, then your mozzarella cheese, then layer again.
   • I usually have about 3 layers so I divide (eyeball) each things into thirds and layer that way. End with your cheese and just what’s left over of your sauce at the top.

If I am having people over I will make this at about noon to have it ready by 2ish. Then turn it on “keep warm” and leave it for the duration of time we have guests over. That way people can get up to serve themselves 2nds….and 3rds throughout the day. I’m telling you this will be a hit!! Here is a printable recipe for you.

with Elbow Macaroni

Like I said there are tons of variations you can make, and the shape of the pasta is one of them. If you use a small one like macaroni noodles make sure they are al dente before adding knowing that the heat will soften them quite a bit more when cooked with the other ingredients over the next few hours. You don’t want them to get mushy.

with Egg Noodles

I would not recommend this style as they get soft really quickly. Even if you boil for just a few minutes, layered with everything else they will likely get smashed and come out more like a solid piece when cooked. Not my preference as far as the texture of this meal but up to you.

Can you make pizza in a Crock pot?

You can actually make Crockpot pizza with dough instead. Deconstructed with noodles instead uses many of the same ingredients but served in a whole new way. You should try both and see which you prefer, both are fun and a unique way of “baking” this popular Italian family meal.

How to Make Pizza Casserole without an Oven

We explain below how to do this low and slow in a Crock. If you have a pressure cooker you can make this even quicker by following our Instant Pot pizza pasta instructions. Watch the video in this post showing you how to make pizza casserole, then get started.

Both methods are great football party food ideas because they think outside of the box are are always a hit with everyone. Once you spend the 30 min. or so preparing your Crock pot pizza casserole you won’t have to touch it again. You can just turn it on warm and enjoy yourself. It’s great for busy days too because your family will love it and it can stay warm for a few hours. Bonus – it’s great the next day warmed up for lunch too!

Other easy Crockpot family friendly meals you’ll love

• Our slow cooker cheesy potatoes are great for a brunch
• Slow cooker Korean beef served over rice is always a winner