Crockpot Three Cheese Pizza Pasta Bake: Ultimate Comfort Food
This Crockpot Three Cheese Pizza Pasta Bake combines the beloved flavors of pizza and pasta into one easy and satisfying dish. Perfect for busy weeknights, it offers a rich blend of savory marinara, tender pasta, and gooey cheeses, all cooked effortlessly in your crockpot.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 3-4 hours
- Total Time: 5 minute
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 12–16 ounces penne or ziti pasta
- 24–30 ounces pizza sauce
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- mini pepperonis
- sautéed bell peppers (any color)
- sliced black olives
- mushrooms
- finely diced onion
- minced garlic
- shredded mozzarella cheese
- shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- Italian blend cheese
- Italian seasoning
- red pepper flakes
- salt
- pepper
- ½ cup beef broth (optional)
Instructions
- Prep Your Meat: Brown 1 pound of lean ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat until fully cooked. Drain excess grease and sauté any diced onions, bell peppers, or minced garlic in the same skillet until softened.
- Cook the Pasta: Boil a large pot of salted water and cook 12-16 ounces of pasta until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
- Combine in the Crockpot: Lightly grease the inside of your slow cooker and spread half of the cooked pasta evenly over the bottom.
- Layer the Goodness: Add half of the browned ground beef and half of the pepperoni over the pasta. Spoon half of the pizza sauce over these layers, then sprinkle a third of the shredded mozzarella, cheddar, and Italian blend cheeses.
- Repeat and Season: Layer the remaining pasta, ground beef, and pepperoni, followed by the rest of the pizza sauce. Season with Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Add beef broth if needed.
- Top with Cheese: Finish by topping with the remaining shredded mozzarella, cheddar, and Italian blend cheeses.
- Slow Cook to Perfection: Cover and cook on LOW for 3-4 hours or on HIGH for 1.5-2 hours until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve It Up: Remove the lid, stir gently to distribute the cheese, and serve hot, garnished with fresh basil or parsley if desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg
Keywords: For best results, cook the pasta al dente to prevent mushiness. Feel free to customize toppings and adjust liquid based on added vegetables. This dish is great for leftovers and can be frozen for meal prep.