Crockpot Pizza Burgers: A Slow Cooker Twist on a Classic

The Ultimate Comfort Food – Juicy, Cheesy, and Loaded with Pizza Flavor!

If you love juicy burgers and cheesy pepperoni pizza, get ready for the best of both worlds! These Crockpot Pizza Burgers bring all the flavors of your favorite pizza—savory ground beef, rich pizza sauce, gooey mozzarella, and zesty pepperoni—and turn them into a slow-cooked, saucy, and cheesy sandwich that’s perfect for busy weeknights, game day, or family dinners.

The slow cooker does all the work, making the beef extra flavorful and giving the sauce plenty of time to soak in all that pepperoni and cheesy goodness. Just ladle the mixture onto a soft roll, top with melty mozzarella, and enjoy!

Let’s get started on these easy, cheesy, and irresistible pizza burgers!

Step 1: Gather Your Ingredients

Before we start cooking, let’s take a look at what we’ll need for this simple, delicious slow cooker meal.

Main Ingredients:

🍔 2 lbs ground beef – The base of the pizza burger, giving it a hearty, meaty texture.
🍅 30 oz pizza sauce (two 15 oz jars) – The classic, zesty sauce that brings in all the pizza flavors.
🍕 ½ cup pepperoni slices, sliced in half – Adds that signature pepperoni taste in every bite.
🧀 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese – Gets mixed in for an extra cheesy, gooey texture.
🧀 8 slices mozzarella cheese – Melts perfectly on top of each burger.
🥖 8 rolls – The perfect sandwich bun for serving.

Step 2: Brown the Beef

The first step is browning the ground beef, which helps develop its rich flavor before it goes into the slow cooker.

How to Brown the Beef:

1️⃣ In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until fully browned (about 7-10 minutes).
2️⃣ Break up the meat as it cooks so it’s evenly crumbled.
3️⃣ Drain any excess grease to keep the mixture from becoming too oily.

Pro Tip: If you want a little extra flavor, sprinkle in a pinch of garlic powder or Italian seasoning while browning the beef!

Step 3: Add Ingredients to the Slow Cooker

Now that the beef is browned, it’s time to let the slow cooker work its magic.

How to Assemble the Pizza Burgers in the Crockpot:

1️⃣ Transfer the drained ground beef to the bottom of the slow cooker.
2️⃣ Pour in the pizza sauce and stir well to coat the beef evenly.
3️⃣ Add the sliced pepperoni, stirring them in so they’re evenly distributed.

At this point, your kitchen will already start smelling amazing with all the pizza goodness!

Now that our seasoned ground beef, rich pizza sauce, and zesty pepperoni are mixed together in the slow cooker, it’s time to let the magic happen! Cooking the mixture low and slow allows the flavors to blend beautifully, creating a hearty, saucy, and cheesy filling that’s perfect for piling onto soft, toasty rolls.

Let’s continue with the cooking process and assemble these mouthwatering pizza burgers!

Step 4: Slow Cook to Perfection

At this stage, all the hard work is done—the slow cooker will take care of the rest!

How to Cook the Pizza Burger Mixture:

1️⃣ Cover the slow cooker with the lid and set it to LOW for 3 hours. This allows the flavors to fully develop while keeping the beef tender and juicy.
2️⃣ Stir occasionally to ensure the sauce is evenly coating the beef and pepperoni.
3️⃣ After 3 hours, sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the mixture.
4️⃣ Cover and cook for an additional 30 minutes or until the cheese is melted and gooey.

At this point, the mixture should be thick, cheesy, and packed with bold pizza flavor—perfect for spooning onto a warm, toasted roll!

Pro Tip: If you prefer a thicker sauce, remove the slow cooker lid for the last 15-20 minutes of cooking to let some of the excess moisture evaporate.

Step 5: Assemble the Pizza Burgers

With the cheesy, saucy filling ready, it’s time to build the ultimate pizza burger sandwich!

How to Assemble:

1️⃣ Slice the rolls in half and place them on a baking sheet. If you love a little crunch, toast them in a 350°F oven for 5 minutes until lightly golden.
2️⃣ Spoon a generous portion of the pizza burger mixture onto the bottom half of each roll.
3️⃣ Top with a slice of mozzarella cheese and let the heat from the mixture slightly melt the cheese.
4️⃣ Place the top half of the bun on and serve immediately!

Optional: If you want an extra melty finish, place the assembled sandwiches under the broiler for 1-2 minutes to let the cheese get nice and bubbly.

Your Crockpot Pizza Burgers are hot, cheesy, and ready to be devoured! Whether you’re serving them up for family dinner, a game-day spread, or a fun twist on burger night, these sandwiches are guaranteed to be a hit.

Before we wrap up, let’s go over some frequently asked questions, storage tips, and creative serving ideas to make sure you get the most out of this recipe!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use a different type of meat?

Yes! While ground beef is the classic choice, you can switch it up with:

• Ground turkey or chicken – A leaner option with a lighter flavor.
• Italian sausage – Adds an extra layer of bold, zesty flavor.
• A mix of ground beef and sausage – Best of both worlds!

2. What type of rolls work best for these sandwiches?

Any soft, sturdy roll works well to hold up the saucy filling. Some great options include:
🍞 Brioche buns – Buttery and slightly sweet.
🍞 Kaiser rolls – Firm and hearty.
🍞 Hoagie rolls – Perfect for a sub-style pizza burger.
🍞 Hawaiian rolls – Great for a slightly sweet contrast!

3. Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can:

• Prepare the filling in the slow cooker up to a day in advance and store it in the fridge. Reheat on LOW for about 1 hour before serving.
• Freeze the cooked mixture for up to 3 months and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

4. How do I store leftovers?

If you have leftovers (which isn’t likely!), store them properly to keep them fresh:

• Refrigerator: Store the filling in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• Freezer: Freeze in individual portions for easy meal prep!

5. How do I reheat the pizza burger mixture?

For the best results:
🔥 Stovetop: Heat over medium-low, stirring occasionally, until warmed through.
🔥 Microwave: Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring in between.
🔥 Slow Cooker: Place back in the crockpot on LOW for 30-45 minutes.

Creative Serving Ideas

Want to take these pizza burgers to the next level? Here are some fun ways to switch things up!

🍕 Pizza Sliders: Use Hawaiian rolls and bake them in a pan, topping with melted butter and Italian seasoning!

🍕 Low-Carb Option: Serve the filling over zucchini boats or stuffed bell peppers instead of bread.

🍕 Loaded Pizza Fries: Spoon the mixture over crispy fries, top with extra mozzarella, and bake until bubbly!

🍕 Cheesy Pizza Dip: Skip the buns and serve the filling as a dip with garlic bread or tortilla chips.

Final Thoughts: A Fun and Flavorful Slow Cooker Meal

These Crockpot Pizza Burgers are the perfect set-it-and-forget-it meal that delivers big flavor with minimal effort. Whether you’re a pizza lover, a burger fan, or just looking for something new to try, this dish is a guaranteed winner.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

✅ Easy to Make – Just brown, dump, and let the slow cooker do the work.
✅ Cheesy & Saucy – Everything you love about pizza in a sandwich.
✅ Perfect for Any Occasion – Great for busy weeknights or entertaining.
✅ Customizable – Add your favorite pizza toppings for endless variations.

So, if you’re looking for a fun, comforting, and ridiculously delicious meal, give these Crockpot Pizza Burgers a try!

Tried this recipe? Let me know how it turned out—drop a comment with your favorite toppings or serving ideas.

Enjoy every cheesy, saucy bite! 🍕🍔🔥

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