Slow Cooker Sausage & Gnocchi Pizza Casserole
Slow Cooker Sausage & Gnocchi Pizza Casserole - with tender gnocchi, Italian sausage, marinara, and mozzarella, it's a saucy, cheesy, crowd-pleaser! Customize it with your favorite pizza toppings!
Equipment
- 5 quart slow cooker
Ingredients
- 16 ounces gnocchi
- 4-5 cups marinara sauce see notes below
- 1 pound Italian sausages cut into bite-size pieces
- 8 ounces shredded mozzarella (2 cups) see notes below
- optional toppings pepperoni, olives, onion, jalapeno, etc. (see notes below)
- garlic powder to taste
- dried oregano to taste
- crushed red pepper flakes to taste
- grated Parmesan cheese to taste
Instructions
- Add the gnocchi to the slow cooker and break up any that are stuck together. Add the Italian sausage and then pour the marinara sauce over everything. Place lid on slow cooker and cook on low for 3-4 hours.
- Stir the ingredients in the slow cooker, then distribute the mozzarella cheese evenly over everything. Place toppings on cheese, then sprinkle on the garlic powder, dried oregano, and crushed red pepper flakes. Return the lid and cook until cheese is melted, about 15-20 minutes. Garnish with Parmesan cheese if desired. Enjoy! *If your pepperoni is greasy, you may need to dab the grease off the top with paper towels.
Notes
- 5 cups of marinara is pretty sauce. Use 4 cups to make it less saucy. Marinara from the store is usually sold in 24-ounce jars, which is only 3 cups.
- I have made this with shredded mozzarella and I've made it with a combo of sliced fresh mozzarella and shredded mozzarella. Both are great!
- To prevent the cheese from getting watery, use toppings that won't release liquid as they cook: olives, onion, banana peppers, jalapenos, fresh garlic, ham, cooked bacon, and pepperoni are great choices.
- Store leftovers in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!