There are few things that make me happier than finding a dinner recipe that’s both insanely delicious and ridiculously easy. These Slow Cooker Pepperoni Pizza Burgers are exactly that kind of recipe. It’s a fun mash-up of two comfort food classics—pizza and sloppy joes—that come together in the slow cooker for the ultimate no-fuss meal. Whether you’re feeding a hungry crowd on game day or just trying to survive a chaotic weeknight, these burgers are about to become your go-to.

I still remember the first time I tried making these—I’d been craving pizza but didn’t want to mess with dough or turn on the oven. I had some ground beef in the fridge, a couple jars of pizza sauce, and a bag of pepperoni. The slow cooker did all the heavy lifting while I caught up on laundry, and by dinnertime, the kitchen smelled like a pizzeria. Everyone, even my pickiest eater, was all in. It was one of those rare unicorn meals that got a “make this again” from the whole table!

These burgers are saucy, cheesy, and completely satisfying. The slow cooker gives everything time to soak up that rich pizza flavor, and when you spoon the mixture over warm rolls with melted mozzarella? Oh. My. Goodness. Let’s get into how to make them!

Ingredients You’ll Need

2 lbs ground beef
30 oz pizza sauce (two 15 oz jars)
1/2 cup pepperoni slices, sliced in half
1 cup shredded mozzarella
8 slices mozzarella cheese
8 rolls

Optional (but totally recommended):

Garlic butter for brushing the rolls
Extra toppings like sautéed mushrooms, olives, or bell peppers
Toasted rolls for added crunch

STEPS: Let’s Get Cooking!

Step 1: Brown the Beef

Start by browning the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat. Use a wooden spoon to break up the meat as it cooks so it doesn’t clump together. Once it’s fully cooked and no longer pink, go ahead and drain off the excess grease. This step is key—you want all that rich pizza flavor without the extra fat.

Transfer the cooked beef into your slow cooker. I usually give mine a light spray with nonstick cooking spray first to help with cleanup later.

Step 2: Add the Sauce and Pepperoni

Next, pour in the pizza sauce. It may seem like a lot, but trust me, the sauce is what makes these burgers so perfectly juicy and flavorful. Add the sliced pepperoni, giving everything a good stir so it’s evenly combined.

Pop the lid on your slow cooker and set it to low for 3 hours. During that time, all those flavors will meld together beautifully—the beef soaks up the tangy, herby sauce and the pepperoni adds just the right kick of spice and saltiness.

Step 3: Add the Shredded Cheese

Once the mixture has had a good three hours to cook, sprinkle your shredded mozzarella evenly over the top. Put the lid back on and let it cook for another 30 minutes or until the cheese is melted and gooey. This step is what takes the whole thing from good to drool-worthy. You’ll start to see that gorgeous cheese pull when you spoon it onto your rolls.

Alright, now that we’ve got our slow cooker bubbling with all that rich, savory pizza goodness, it’s time to move on to the really fun part—building the burgers! This is where everything comes together into one warm, melty, irresistible sandwich. I promise, once you pile that cheesy meat mixture onto a soft roll and top it with a slice of mozzarella, you’ll be wondering why you haven’t been making these all along.

This part is all about customizing the burger to your taste. Whether you’re going for classic pepperoni pizza flavor or want to go a little more gourmet, there’s a ton of room to get creative here. Plus, I’ll share a few tips to take them from “wow” to “can-I-have-another-one-please.”

Step 4: Toast the Rolls (Optional but Recommended)

Okay, this step isn’t totally necessary—but if you’ve got an extra few minutes, toasting the rolls takes this sandwich to another level. I like to split them and pop them in the oven for just a few minutes until they’re lightly golden and crispy around the edges.

Want to go even further? Brush the insides with garlic butter before toasting. It adds an extra punch of flavor and gives a nod to garlic bread. Just mix melted butter with a bit of garlic powder or minced garlic, brush it on the rolls, and toast them under the broiler for 2–3 minutes. Your kitchen will smell amazing.

Step 5: Spoon on the Pepperoni Pizza Filling

Once your rolls are ready, it’s time to load them up. Use a large spoon or ladle to scoop that hot, cheesy mixture right onto the bottom half of each roll. Be generous—you want every bite to be packed with flavor. The mixture should be saucy, but not overly runny, making it easy to eat without things falling apart.

Step 6: Add the Cheese Slice

Top each sandwich with a slice of mozzarella cheese while the filling is still hot. It will start to melt just enough to hold everything together, but if you really want that classic melted cheese look, you can pop the sandwiches under the broiler for another minute or two until the cheese starts to bubble.

If you’re serving these for a crowd, place the assembled burgers on a baking sheet and warm them all together in the oven for 5–10 minutes. It’s a great way to keep everything hot and perfectly melty before serving.

Tips and Variations: Make It Your Own

These pepperoni pizza burgers are super flexible. Here are a few ways to mix things up depending on what you love—or what’s in your fridge:

Make it a “Supreme” Burger: Add sautéed mushrooms, diced green bell peppers, or sliced black olives to the meat mixture before slow cooking. It gives you that fully loaded pizza flavor in every bite.
Try Different Cheeses: Mozzarella is a classic, but provolone or even a sharp white cheddar can add a new twist.
Add Heat: If your crowd likes a little spice, toss in some red pepper flakes or chopped jalapeños with the pepperoni.
Low-Carb Option: Skip the bun and serve the filling over roasted zucchini slices or inside a hollowed-out bell pepper for a fun, low-carb version.
Kid-Friendly Swap: If your little ones aren’t huge fans of pepperoni, you can leave it out or swap it for chopped cooked sausage or even just extra cheese.

By now, your kitchen smells like a dream—savory, cheesy, a little bit spicy—and your family (or guests) are probably hovering, wondering when they can dig in. But before we wrap things up, I want to answer a few of the most common questions about these Slow Cooker Pepperoni Pizza Burgers to make sure your cooking experience is as smooth and stress-free as possible.

Whether you’re prepping ahead, storing leftovers, or tweaking the recipe to suit your taste, these FAQs cover the most asked-about topics. Let’s get into it.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef?
Absolutely. Ground turkey or chicken will work just fine in this recipe. Just make sure to season it well while browning since it’s a bit milder in flavor than beef. The pizza sauce and pepperoni will still bring plenty of richness.

2. How do I store leftovers?
Store any leftover filling in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. You can reheat it in the microwave or on the stovetop and serve it on fresh rolls, or even over pasta or rice for a quick meal.

3. Can I freeze the filling?
Yes! Let the filling cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe bag or container. It will keep in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight and reheat before serving.

4. Do I need to cook the pepperoni before adding it to the slow cooker?
Nope! The pepperoni cooks right in the slow cooker with the beef and sauce, releasing its flavor as it heats. If you like your pepperoni a little crispier, you could pan-fry it for a few minutes before adding it in.

5. What’s the best kind of roll to use?
Soft sandwich buns, hoagie rolls, or brioche buns all work great. I personally love using bakery-style rolls—they’re sturdy enough to hold the filling without getting soggy but still nice and soft inside.

6. Can I make this ahead of time for a party or event?
Definitely. You can make the filling earlier in the day and keep it warm in the slow cooker on the “warm” setting. Set out toasted rolls and cheese slices, and let everyone build their own sandwich when they’re ready to eat.

7. Is this recipe kid-friendly?
Very much so! Most kids love the familiar pizza flavors. You can easily dial back the pepperoni or use mild cheese if your kids prefer simpler flavors.

Final Thoughts: Time to Serve and Enjoy

I hope you’re as excited about these Slow Cooker Pepperoni Pizza Burgers as I am! They’re one of those recipes that checks all the boxes: easy, family-approved, and full of cozy, comfort-food flavor. The slow cooker does most of the work, and the end result is a juicy, cheesy sandwich that’ll make everyone at the table happy—especially if you serve it with some chips or a simple salad on the side.

These burgers are also perfect for game day spreads, weekend get-togethers, or just a no-fuss weeknight meal. I love how customizable they are—you can keep them simple or pile them high with toppings for a full-on pizza experience.

Slow Cooker Pepperoni Pizza Burgers