Cheesy Crock Pot Pizza Pasta Bake
This Cheesy Crock Pot Pizza Pasta Bake combines all your favorite pizza flavors into a hearty casserole that's perfect for feeding the whole family. With layers of savory ground beef, melty mozzarella, and the classic taste of pizza sauce, this delightful one-dish meal is as satisfying as it is easy to prepare. Simply toss everything in your slow cooker, let it simmer, and you'll be rewarded with a delicious pizza-inspired dinner that everyone will love. Ideal for busy weeknights, potlucks, or gatherings, this recipe not only tastes amazing, but is also incredibly simple to make. Enjoy this comforting dish with a side salad or garlic bread for a truly complete meal!
6
Servings
500
Calories
7
Ingredients
Ingredients
Lean ground beef
1 1/2 lbs (browned and drained)
Medium onions
2 (chopped)
Rigatoni pasta
11 ounces (cooked and drained)
Prepared pizza sauce
28 ounces (none)
Shredded mozzarella cheese
2 lbs (none)
Pepperoni
3 ounces (sliced)
Mushrooms
to taste (sliced (optional))
Instructions
1
In a large skillet, brown the lean ground beef over medium heat until fully cooked. Drain excess fat.
2
Chop the onions and add them to the skillet with the cooked beef, sautéing until the onions are translucent.
3
In your Crock Pot, layer the ingredients in the following order: Spread the browned beef and onions first, followed by the cooked rigatoni pasta.
4
Pour the prepared pizza sauce evenly over the pasta layer.
5
Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella cheese on top, followed by the sliced pepperoni and mushrooms if using.
6
Top with the remaining mozzarella cheese.
7
Cover the Crock Pot and cook on low for 5 hours until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
8
Once cooked, serve hot and enjoy your Cheesy Crock Pot Pizza Pasta Bake!
Nutrition Information
30g
Fat
40g
Carbs
30g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Cheesy Crock Pot Pizza Pasta Bake?
It is a hearty one-dish meal that combines ground beef, rigatoni pasta, pizza sauce, and mozzarella cheese in a slow cooker for a pizza-inspired dinner.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe is designed to yield 6 servings.
What is the recommended cooking time?
The dish should be cooked in a Crock Pot on the low setting for 5 hours.
Do I need to cook the pasta before adding it to the Crock Pot?
Yes, the 11 ounces of rigatoni pasta should be cooked and drained before being layered in the slow cooker.
Should the ground beef be pre-cooked?
Yes, you must brown the 1 1/2 lbs of lean ground beef in a skillet and drain the excess fat before assembly.
How much mozzarella cheese is required?
The recipe calls for 2 lbs of shredded mozzarella cheese, used in two separate layers.
What type of pasta is best for this recipe?
The recipe specifically recommends using 11 ounces of rigatoni pasta.
Can I add vegetables to this pizza pasta bake?
Yes, the recipe suggests adding sliced mushrooms to taste as an optional ingredient.
How much pizza sauce is needed?
You will need 28 ounces of prepared pizza sauce for this recipe.
What are the nutritional values for one serving?
Each serving contains 500 calories, 30g of fat, 40g of carbohydrates, and 30g of protein.
Is this recipe suitable for busy weeknights?
Yes, it is described as ideal for busy weeknights because it is simple to prepare and cooks in a slow cooker.
In what order should I layer the ingredients?
Layer the beef and onions first, then the cooked pasta, then pizza sauce, half the cheese, toppings like pepperoni and mushrooms, and finally the rest of the cheese.
How much pepperoni should I use?
The recipe recommends 3 ounces of sliced pepperoni.
Do the onions need to be sautéed first?
Yes, the chopped onions should be sautéed in the skillet with the beef until they are translucent.
Can I serve this at a potluck?
Yes, this dish is great for potlucks, gatherings, or feeding a whole family.
What side dishes go well with this meal?
It is recommended to enjoy this dish with a side salad or garlic bread for a complete meal.
What is the carbohydrate content per serving?
There are 40 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
Is there any fiber in this recipe?
Fiber information is not provided for this specific recipe.
What is the total fat content?
The total fat content is 30 grams per serving.
Does this recipe include mushrooms?
Mushrooms are optional and can be added to taste if desired.
How much protein is in each serving?
There are 30 grams of protein per serving.
Can I cook this on a high setting?
The recipe specifies cooking on low for 5 hours for the best results.
What kind of onions should I use?
The recipe calls for 2 medium onions, chopped.
Is there sodium information available?
No, the sodium content is not specified for this recipe.
What makes this a 'pizza' pasta bake?
The combination of pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese, and pepperoni gives it a classic pizza flavor profile.
How do I know when it is done?
It is ready when the cheese on top is melted and bubbly after approximately 5 hours on low.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 7 main ingredients: ground beef, onions, rigatoni, pizza sauce, mozzarella, pepperoni, and mushrooms.
Is cholesterol information included?
No, cholesterol information is not provided in the recipe data.
What is the primary category of this recipe?
It is categorized as a One Dish Meal.
Is there any sugar in this dish?
Sugar content information is not available for this recipe.