Easy Crockpot Pizza Burgers

Who says you have to choose between burgers and pizza? With these Crockpot Pizza Burgers, you get the best of both worlds—all in one cheesy, saucy, sandwich! This recipe is a serious weeknight winner, and it’s perfect for when you’re craving comfort food but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen.

I stumbled upon this idea when I had both ground beef and leftover pizza sauce sitting in my fridge, and the kids were begging for burgers… but also pizza (because of course they were). After some experimenting with the slow cooker, these saucy, melty pizza burgers were born—and let me tell you, they’ve been on repeat ever since. They’re like a warm hug in sandwich form.

What I love most about this recipe is how hands-off it is. After just a few minutes of browning the beef, the crockpot does all the heavy lifting while you go about your day. And when dinnertime rolls around, your kitchen smells like an Italian pizzeria—what could be better?

These sandwiches are a total hit for game days, family dinners, or even casual gatherings when you want something hearty but fun. Plus, you can easily double the batch and keep it warm in the slow cooker for a buffet-style spread. It’s crowd-pleasing comfort food with barely any effort.

Let’s dive into how to make these deliciously cheesy Crockpot Pizza Burgers!

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 cheese

• 8 slices mozzarella cheese

• 8 sandwich rolls

You probably already have most of this on hand, especially if your pantry is anything like mine (we always keep pepperoni and cheese at the ready for pizza night emergencies).

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS 

Step 1: Brown the Ground Beef

Start by grabbing a large skillet and heating it over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook it through completely, breaking it up as it browns. You’ll want to make sure there’s no pink left in the meat.

Once it’s fully cooked, go ahead and drain off any excess fat. We want a rich, flavorful filling—not a greasy one—so don’t skip this step!

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Step 2: Combine in the Crockpot

Next, transfer the browned beef to the bottom of your slow cooker. Pour in both jars of pizza sauce and toss in those halved pepperoni slices. Give everything a good stir until it’s well combined.

Cover the slow cooker with the lid and set it to low. Let it cook for 3 hours—this gives the flavors time to come together and that sauce to really soak into the meat. You’ll know it’s working when your kitchen starts to smell like a pizzeria.

Welcome back! Now that our flavorful meat and sauce mixture has been slowly cooking and soaking in all those delicious pizza flavors, it’s time to bring this Crockpot Pizza Burger recipe home with the final cheesy steps—and trust me, this part is just as easy as the first.

This is where that warm, cheesy magic really happens. The slow cooker does the work, and you get all the credit. And while we’re at it, I’ll also share a few of my favorite tips and customizations to make this dish totally your own.

Let’s jump back into the recipe so we can get these sandwiches on the table!

Step 3: Add Shredded Cheese

Once your beef and pepperoni mixture has cooked on low for about 3 hours, it’s time to add the shredded mozzarella cheese. Just sprinkle the full cup evenly over the top of the meat mixture in the crockpot.

Cover it back up and let it cook for another 30 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and deliciously gooey. The cheese will blend right into the sauce, creating that irresistible cheesy pizza flavor we all know and love.

Step 4: Assemble the Sandwiches

Now comes the fun part—building the sandwiches!

Grab your sandwich rolls and spoon a generous amount of the hot pizza beef mixture onto the bottom half of each roll. Then, top each one with a slice of mozzarella cheese. The heat from the mixture will start to melt the cheese on its own, but if you really want that melty, bubbly effect, you can pop them under the broiler for a minute or two. Totally optional, but totally worth it if you ask me!

Then just add the top half of the roll, and you’ve got yourself a warm, hearty pizza burger that’s ready to serve.

Tips to Make Your Pizza Burgers Even Better

If you’re like me, you love playing around with recipes and adding a personal twist. Here are a few ways you can mix it up:

• Toast the rolls: This is one of my go-to tricks. Toasting the sandwich rolls adds a little crunch and helps the bread hold up better to all that saucy, cheesy goodness. Just slice them open and pop them under the broiler for 1-2 minutes.

• Add your favorite toppings: This recipe is super versatile, so feel free to stir in extra pizza toppings when you add the pepperoni. Think sautéed mushrooms, diced onions, green peppers, or even black olives if that’s your thing. Just make sure to cook them down a bit before adding them to the slow cooker, so they’re nice and soft.

• Use different cheeses: Mozzarella is the classic choice, but don’t be afraid to experiment with provolone, Monterey Jack, or even a little parmesan sprinkled on top for extra flavor.

• Make it spicy: If your family likes a bit of heat, stir in some crushed red pepper flakes or a few slices of spicy jalapeños for a zesty kick.

• Keep it warm for a party: These pizza burgers are fantastic for feeding a crowd. Just leave the crockpot on the “warm” setting and set out a platter of sandwich rolls and cheese slices so guests can serve themselves.

We’ve browned the beef, let it simmer in saucy, cheesy glory, and turned it all into one epic sandwich. But before we wrap up, let’s go over a few frequently asked questions about this fun twist on comfort food. Whether it’s your first time making Crockpot Pizza Burgers or you’re looking for tips to perfect them, this section has you covered.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef?
Absolutely! Ground turkey works great if you’re looking for a leaner option. Just keep in mind that it’s a bit milder in flavor, so you may want to add a pinch of Italian seasoning or garlic powder to boost the taste.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes, and it reheats beautifully! You can prepare the meat mixture a day or two in advance and store it in an airtight container in the fridge. When you’re ready to serve, just reheat it on the stove or back in the crockpot on low until warmed through.

What’s the best type of roll to use?
I like using sandwich rolls that are sturdy enough to hold up to the saucy filling—think hoagie rolls, kaiser rolls, or even brioche buns. Avoid anything too soft or thin, or they’ll soak through too quickly.

Can I freeze the pizza meat mixture?
Yes! Let the mixture cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. It’ll keep for up to 3 months. Just thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat on the stove or in the crockpot when ready to serve.

What other toppings could I mix in?
Anything you love on your pizza can work here! Try sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, black olives, or even crumbled Italian sausage for a meat-lover version. Just make sure to pre-cook any veggies before adding them to the slow cooker.

How do I keep the sandwiches from getting soggy?
Toasting the rolls is the key here. A quick broil adds texture and helps create a barrier so the bread doesn’t soak up too much moisture. You can also serve the filling over open-faced rolls or even as a dip with crusty bread.

Is this recipe kid-friendly?
Very! It’s a fun, no-fuss meal that combines two favorites—pizza and burgers. If you’ve got picky eaters, you can skip the pepperoni or let them customize their own sandwich with the toppings they love.

Final Thoughts: Why You’ll Keep Coming Back to These Pizza Burgers

Crockpot Pizza Burgers are one of those recipes that check all the boxes—easy, hearty, delicious, and totally customizable. They’ve become a staple in our house because they deliver that cheesy, saucy pizza flavor we all love, but in a cozy, satisfying sandwich form.

And let’s be honest—there’s something kind of magical about walking into the kitchen and smelling that rich, pizza-inspired aroma after just a few minutes of hands-on prep. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family on a busy weeknight or putting together a game-day spread, this recipe delivers every single time.

So next time you’re torn between making burgers or ordering pizza, just toss everything in the slow cooker and let it do the work for you. You’ll end up with something even better than takeout—and way more fun to eat.

If you try these Crockpot Pizza Burgers, I’d love to hear how they turned out! Leave a comment with your favorite topping combos or any tweaks you made. Sharing ideas is half the fun—and trust me, this is one recipe you’ll want to make your own.

Crockpot Pizza Burgers

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• Author: Sophia

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Description

Crockpot Pizza Burgers are a fun, hearty mashup of two family favorites—pizza and burgers—brought together in a warm, cheesy, and saucy sandwich. Made with seasoned ground beef, pepperoni, and rich pizza sauce, slow-cooked to perfection and topped with melty mozzarella, this easy recipe is perfect for game day, weeknight dinners, or casual get-togethers.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

2 lbs ground beef

30 oz pizza sauce (two 15 oz jars)

1/2 cup pepperoni slices, sliced in half

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

8 slices mozzarella cheese

8 sandwich rolls

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Instructions

1️⃣ In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked. Drain the excess fat and transfer the beef to the bottom of a slow cooker.

2️⃣ Stir in the pizza sauce and halved pepperoni slices, mixing well to combine. Cover and cook on low for 3 hours, allowing the flavors to meld.

3️⃣ After 3 hours, sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the meat mixture. Cover and continue cooking for another 30 minutes, or until the cheese has melted.

4️⃣ Spoon the hot pizza beef mixture onto sandwich rolls. Top each with a slice of mozzarella cheese and serve warm.

Notes

These pizza burgers can be customized with your favorite pizza toppings—try adding sautéed mushrooms, green peppers, or onions to the slow cooker along with the pepperoni. Toasting the rolls adds extra texture and helps hold up to the saucy filling. This recipe is ideal for feeding a crowd and can be kept warm in the crockpot for serving buffet-style.