Slow Cooker Cheesy Pizza Casserole
Indulge in this Slow Cooker Cheesy Pizza Casserole, a delightful twist on traditional pizza that combines all your favorite flavors into a hearty, meaty dish. Perfect for busy weeknights, this recipe requires minimal hands-on preparation. Just layer the ingredients in your crock pot and let it do the work for you! With a satisfying blend of egg noodles, seasoned ground beef, pepperoni or Canadian bacon, and a perfect mix of cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, this casserole is sure to please everyone at the dinner table. Serve it alongside garlic bread and a fresh green salad for a well-rounded meal that can easily be scaled down for smaller gatherings. For those looking for a lighter option, simply adjust the amounts of cheese to suit your preference!
8
Servings
300
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
egg noodles
12 (Cooked according to package directions)
chopped onion
1/4 cup (Raw)
Italian seasoning
1 1/2 teaspoons (Dried)
cheddar cheese
3 cups (Grated)
sliced mushrooms
4 ounces (Raw)
lean ground beef
1 1/2 lbs (Raw)
Prego spaghetti sauce
28 ounces (Any flavor)
sliced pepperoni or Canadian bacon
3 1/3 ounces (Raw)
mozzarella cheese
3 cups (Grated)
Instructions
1
Cook the egg noodles according to the package directions until al dente, then drain and set aside.
2
In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the lean ground beef along with the chopped onions. Cook until the meat is fully cooked and no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes.
3
Stir in the Prego spaghetti sauce and sliced mushrooms into the beef mixture and allow to simmer for a few minutes to combine the flavors.
4
Spray a large crock pot with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
5
Layer the ingredients in the crock pot as follows: Start with 1/3 of the meat-sauce mixture, followed by 1/3 of the cooked egg noodles, then 1/3 of the pepperoni or Canadian bacon slices. Sprinkle with 1 cup each of cheddar and mozzarella cheese.
6
Repeat this layering process two more times, finishing with the last of the cheeses on top.
7
Cover the crock pot and cook on low for 3 to 4 hours, or until everything is heated through and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Nutrition Information
17g
Fat
26g
Carbs
19g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Slow Cooker Cheesy Pizza Casserole?
It is a hearty, meaty dish that provides a delightful twist on traditional pizza by layering egg noodles, seasoned ground beef, pepperoni or Canadian bacon, and a blend of cheddar and mozzarella cheeses in a slow cooker.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe yields 8 servings.
What are the primary meat ingredients?
The main meat ingredients are 1 1/2 lbs of lean ground beef and 3 1/3 ounces of sliced pepperoni or Canadian bacon.
How long should I cook the casserole in the slow cooker?
Cook the casserole on the low setting for 3 to 4 hours until everything is heated through and the cheese is melted.
Do I need to pre-cook the egg noodles?
Yes, you should cook the egg noodles according to package directions until they are al dente and drain them before layering them into the crock pot.
What setting should the slow cooker be on?
The recipe specifies using the low setting on your slow cooker.
How many calories are in one serving of this casserole?
Each serving contains 300 calories.
What is the total fat content per serving?
There are 17g of fat per serving.
How much protein is provided in one serving?
This recipe provides 19g of protein per serving.
What kind of onion is used and how is it prepared?
The recipe calls for 1/4 cup of chopped onion, which is browned along with the ground beef.
How much cheddar cheese is required?
You will need 3 cups of grated cheddar cheese.
How much mozzarella cheese is needed?
The recipe requires 3 cups of grated mozzarella cheese.
What brand and amount of sauce is recommended?
The recipe recommends 28 ounces of Prego spaghetti sauce in any flavor.
Are there any vegetables in this casserole?
Yes, the recipe includes 4 ounces of sliced mushrooms and 1/4 cup of chopped onions.
How do I layer the ingredients in the crock pot?
Start with 1/3 of the meat-sauce mixture, followed by 1/3 of the cooked noodles, then 1/3 of the pepperoni or bacon, and 1 cup each of cheddar and mozzarella; repeat this process two more times.
What seasoning is used in this dish?
1 1/2 teaspoons of dried Italian seasoning are included in the recipe.
How can I prevent the casserole from sticking to the slow cooker?
Spray the inside of the crock pot with cooking spray before adding any ingredients.
Can I use different flavors of spaghetti sauce?
Yes, you can use any flavor of Prego spaghetti sauce you prefer.
Is this recipe easy to prepare?
Yes, it is described as an easy recipe with minimal hands-on preparation, perfect for busy weeknights.
What side dishes go well with this pizza casserole?
It is recommended to serve this dish with garlic bread and a fresh green salad.
Can I make a lighter version of this recipe?
Yes, you can create a lighter option by adjusting the amounts of cheese to suit your preference.
What is the carbohydrate count per serving?
There are 26g of carbohydrates per serving.
How many ingredients are in this recipe in total?
There are a total of 9 ingredients.
How long does it take to brown the ground beef?
Browning the ground beef with the onions takes about 5-7 minutes over medium heat.
Can this recipe be scaled down?
Yes, the recipe can easily be scaled down to accommodate smaller gatherings.
What is the final texture of the cheese?
The cheese should be melted and bubbly once the cooking process is complete.
Is this dish considered a one-dish meal?
Yes, it is tagged as a one-dish meal.
What are the tags associated with this recipe?
The tags include crock pot, casserole, one dish meal, pizza, comfort food, easy recipe, slow cooker, and family dinner.
Is the ground beef drained after browning?
While the instructions don't explicitly state to drain, it is standard practice to cook until no longer pink and fully cooked.
How much egg noodles are required?
The recipe calls for 12 ounces of egg noodles.