Description
Crockpot Pizza Burgers combine the savory goodness of classic pizza flavors with juicy, tender meat, all slow-cooked to perfection. Featuring a blend of ground beef, Italian sausage, and pizza sauce, this hearty recipe is an easy and delicious family-friendly meal that melts mozzarella and Parmesan cheese into every flavorful bite. Perfect for a set-it-and-forget-it dinner, these burgers are served warm on toasted buns for a satisfying comfort food experience.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 pound ground beef
- ½ pound Italian sausage (casings removed)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
Sauce and Seasoning
- 1 jar (14–16 oz) pizza sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Cheese and Bread
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 6 hamburger buns or sandwich rolls
Instructions
- Cook Meat and Vegetables: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef, Italian sausage, diced onion, and diced green bell pepper. Stir occasionally until the meat is browned completely and the vegetables become tender. Drain off any excess grease to keep the mixture from being too oily.
- Transfer to Crockpot: Move the cooked meat and vegetable mixture into the crockpot. This helps in slow cooking and infusing all flavors together over time.
- Add Sauce and Seasonings: Stir in the jar of pizza sauce, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and if desired, crushed red pepper flakes. Mix everything thoroughly to combine evenly.
- Slow Cook: Cover the crockpot and cook the mixture on low for 3 to 4 hours or on high for 1 to 2 hours. Stir occasionally during cooking to ensure even heating and flavor distribution.
- Melt Cheese: About 10 minutes before serving, stir in the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smoothly blended with the meat mixture.
- Serve: Toast the hamburger buns or sandwich rolls lightly, then spoon the hot pizza burger mixture onto the buns. Serve immediately while warm.
Notes
- For a melty, crispy finish, top the filled buns with extra cheese and place them under the broiler for 1–2 minutes.
- Add chopped pepperoni, mushrooms, or black olives into the crockpot to give the burgers a more authentic loaded pizza flavor.
- This recipe can be prepared a day ahead; simply refrigerate and reheat gently in the crockpot or on the stovetop.
