Description
Crockpot Pizza Burgers are a delicious and easy-to-make family favorite recipe that combines the hearty flavors of ground beef and Italian sausage with classic pizza toppings, all slow-cooked to perfection. This comforting dish is perfect for casual dinners and can be served on buns or over pasta or baked potatoes for a fun twist.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Mixture
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
- 1/2 pound Italian sausage (casings removed)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
Sauce and Seasoning
- 1 (15 oz) can pizza sauce
- 1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Cheese and Toppings
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Hamburger buns or sandwich rolls
- Extra toppings like sliced olives or pepperoni (optional)
Instructions
- Brown the Meat: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and Italian sausage until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain excess grease to keep the mixture from becoming too oily.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add the finely chopped onion and chopped green bell pepper to the skillet and sauté for 3–4 minutes until the vegetables are softened and fragrant.
- Transfer to Slow Cooker: Move the cooked meat and vegetable mixture into your slow cooker. This will be the base for the pizza burger filling.
- Add Sauces and Seasonings: Stir in the pizza sauce, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and crushed red pepper flakes if you prefer a little heat. Mix everything well to combine all flavors evenly.
- Cook Slowly: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 3–4 hours, or alternatively on high for 1–2 hours, allowing the flavors to meld together and the mixture to thicken.
- Melt the Cheese: About 15 minutes before serving, stir in the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheeses into the slow cooker. Cover again and let the cheese melt until the mixture is gooey and cheesy.
- Serve: Spoon the heated pizza meat mixture onto toasted hamburger buns or sandwich rolls. Add any extra toppings you like such as sliced olives or pepperoni for an extra pizza touch. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- These pizza burgers are excellent for feeding a crowd or meal prepping for the week.
- You can serve the filling over pasta, baked potatoes, or even on top of crusty bread for variety.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or freeze for up to 2 months.
- Reheat thoroughly before serving to ensure food safety and optimal taste.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 470
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg
