Crock-Pot Pizza Casserole

mozzarella cheese

🥗Healthier: part-skim mozzarella

💰Cheaper: cheddar cheese

Part-skim mozzarella reduces fat while maintaining meltiness.

pepperoni

🥗Healthier: turkey pepperoni

💰Cheaper: salami

Turkey pepperoni is lower in calories, while salami offers a similar flavor.

pizza sauce

🥗Healthier: homemade tomato sauce

💰Cheaper: canned tomato sauce

Homemade sauce can be healthier with less sugar, while canned is often cheaper.

Parmesan cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: grated Romano cheese

Nutritional yeast adds umami with fewer calories, while Romano is a budget-friendly alternative.

Combine ground beef or turkey or chicken with chopped onion, chopped bell pepper, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and sliced pepperoni in a skillet.

Brown the mixture on medium-high heat until cooked through, then drain excess fat.

Rinse uncooked spiral pasta and add it to the Crock-Pot.

Add the drained meat mixture on top of the uncooked pasta in the Crock-Pot.

Pour the pasta sauce and water over the mixture, spreading the sauce around without mixing it in.

Sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top of the sauce layer.

Cover the Crock-Pot and cook on low for 5 to 6 hours, checking the pasta for doneness.

At around 4 hours and 15 minutes, check the pasta and switch to warm if done, noting that cooking time may vary based on the Crock-Pot.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens