Kenny’s Kitchen: Crockpot Pizza Casserole

Welcome back to another episode of Kenny’s Camera, Cooking & Crazy Confessions!

I’ve received some requests for more on the cooking side and I need to apologize.  I’ve focused so heavily on funny stories, advice, movie reviews, social issues, confessions and Top 10 lists that I’ve completely neglected the grillicious side of life.  You would think I’d have been posting recipes all along, considering how often I post my dishes on social media.

Figured I’d make it up to you all by beginning with one of my more popular and highly requested dishes because it’s TAILGATE TIME:

Crockpot Pizza Casserole!

Before I begin, I want to say “SHAME on you!” to all the people who constantly ask me for recipes and then tell me “I haven’t tried it yet”, when I ask how it turned out, months later.  And I mean MONTHS! Look, I know it’s not any of my concern when and if you make something (if at all), but when I get reminded, over and over, to post a recipe because people want to “make it for dinner this weekend…”

The crazy thing about it is – of all the people I’ve sent recipes to over the past 10 years, only 5 or 6 have admitted to using them.  Oh well.  I did my part. But SHAME on you!

Let’s get on with it.

Crockpot Pizza Casserole is a great alternative to pizza and, if you use a triple crockpot as seen above, you can modify the contents of each to satisfy the various preferences of your guests (Only two of us in the family love black olives. One doesn’t like vegetables on his at all.)  This particular recipe serves about 12 mouths, comfortably.  

One more thing.  You don’t have to use both types of meat. Also, you can substitute ground turkey if you need a healthier meat alternative.  I use sausage and beef to get more of a pizza-like flavor and texture. Besides, I’m a carnivore, so I’d have it no other way!

Ingredients:

• 1 pound Italian Sausage; browned and drained
• 1 pound Ground Beef; browned and drained
• 3 ounces Pepperoni
• 8 ounces Rigatoni Pasta; cooked 5 min. and drained
• 1 can Cream of Mushroom Soup
• 1 Onion; chopped
• 1/2 – 1 Green Pepper; chopped
• 1 small can Black Olives; halved
• 14 ounces Italian Blend Cheese; shredded
• 14 ounces Pizza Sauce (or Spaghetti Sauce)

Instructions:

Brown your sausage and beef in two separate skillets (they don’t cook at the same rate).
Mix together in a large bowl or skillet that was used to brown either meat:
Ground Beef, Italian Sausage, Onion and Pizza Sauce

Note: I like to season my ground beef with Montreal Steak Seasoning. 

Layer in 3.5 quart crock pot in the order given:
1. Half of the meat mixture
2. Half of the cooked pasta
3. Half a can of the soup
4. 6 ounces of cheese
5. Half of the pepperoni slices
6. Half of the green pepper (if included)
7. Half of the black olives (if included)

Repeat layers.

Top with any other ingredients you like such as mushrooms, Canadian bacon, etc.

Cook on low heat for 4 hours and serve with your favorite bread and a salad. I recommend garlic toast. In my opinion it balances the meal out perfectly.

Note: I once had to feed about 15 people. For that batch, I added an additional pound of ground beef.  I doubled my Mushroom Soup, Pasta and Pizza Sauce content. When layering Pepperoni, I usually circle it around the surface and fill in the gaps within the circle. I used Italian Cheese Blend instead of Parmesan cheese. You’ll need a bigger or multiple pots (as you see in my photo).

I also chopped up ½ of a Green Pepper and layered it after the Pepperoni, adding Black Olives.

Alternate Method:  You can also make this in the oven using a casserole container.
Layer the ingredients as previously instructed or mix them together. Always put the cheese on top, followed by the pepperoni for monitoring and overall presentation. Bake at 400° for 25-30 minutes or until cheese is melted and pepperoni is cooked.

…and there you have it!

If you make this, I guarantee you’ll have some satisfied and very full bellies.
Remember folks, “Portion control is paramount” (the lawyers make me say that…).

Next Friday, Oven Baked Tacos!

Let me know how it all works out and if you tried/suggest any modifications.
There is no perfect meal and everyone has a great idea!
Let me know if there’s a recipe you’d like for any meal I’ve posted on social media.
…and don’t forget to subscribe to my page and share it with others!