Gluten free, low carb and perfect for diabetics, this crock pot pizza recipe is so easy you might have to swoon across a couch or three just to make it look like you worked hard. If you’re a fan of good measure, throw some coconut flour wantonly across your face and hair to look even more haggard.
The secret is in how easy this dish is to prepare ahead, even on your busiest days.
Easy to assemble and served up with a dollop of molten cheesy love, this uber-stuffed dish will delight even the pickiest of eaters. (I even share ideas for baking this dish in the oven below, so be sure to read recipe tips.)
As an aside, I totally almost killed myself making this dish.
I was carrying the crock pot, cord and all, across the dining room to take the pictures above and below, and I stepped on the cord plug. Barefoot.
I almost threw the entire device, all six quarts of it, filled with prepared fillings! Needless to say, I managed to hop about a bit and gingerly place the crock pot and contents on the table before hopping about some more. I should name this a Hop Pot because I keep forgetting to carry the cord plug in my hand.
I live a life of danger. Madcap, zany danger.
Crock pot considerations and recipe ruminations:
- If you don’t have a crock pot, you can bake this dish in a casserole pan for about an hour on 350 degrees. I’d cover the top with a tent of tinfoil to keep the cheese from over-browning and then remove during the last 10 minutes of baking.
- This dish freezes well, so if you bake it up, you can pop it in the freezer and thaw/reheat as needed.
- Need to cut the fat? Thankfully, because you can pretty much put anything you wish on your pizza, you can use lower-fat cheeses and leaner proteins. If you’re a vegetarian, skip all the meats, and you’re golden.
- I use store brand pizza sauces because they’re thin (go farther), cost less and tend not to contain added, unnecessary ingredients. My two store brands of jarred pizza sauce used in my recipes come from Kroger and WalMart because that’s where I shop most often.
- This dish is induction friendly, gluten free and sugar free and just over 5 net carbs per serving (due to pizza sauce).
Crock Pot Pizza
.75 lb ground beef, cooked
.75 lb bulk Italian sausage, cooked
1-15 ounce jar pizza sauce
3 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
3 cups fresh spinach
16 slices pepperoni
Toppings(optional. Add your faves)
I used (* = accounted for in nutritional information):
1 cup olives, sliced*
1 cup mushrooms, sliced*
1/2 green pepper, chopped*
1/2 cup sweet onion, chopped*
1/4 cup marinated artichoke hearts, chopped
1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced*
In a 6 quart crock pot, combine sausage and hamburger with sauce and onions. Place half of sauce mixture in crock pot. Place half of fresh spinach on top of sauce mixture. Place pepperoni and 1/2 desired toppings on top. Place half of mozzarella cheese on top of pepperoni. Repeat layers ending with mozzarella. Cook on low 4-6 hours. Let cool slightly and cut into 8 slices. Refrigerate remaining.
Makes 8 ginormous slices.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 487, Carbohydrates: 7.6g, Fiber: 2, Net Carbohydrates: 5.6g, Protein: 30g, Fat: 37g
LynnMarie Millette says
Looks great and we have company so this may be perfect!!
admin says
And wait until the whole house smells like this dish. It’s like aromatherapy. I also love how the cheese turns golden brown. I never knew that could happen in a crock pot until this year!
Valerie says
The first instruction is to “combine sausage and hamburger with sauce and onions.” Are those onions cooked and are they in addition to the onions suggested in the toppings ingredients?
admin says
Hi there! I didn’t pre-cook the onions, no.
Sherril Miller says
I love me some vegetarian pizza. Thanks for the oven directions.
admin says
I am such a fan of veggies! With artichoke hearts, fresh spinach, sun-dried tomatoes… I just load it up! I think this would be awesome in the oven, too.
Niki says
Thanks this recipe couldn’t have come at a better time. I was just making my shopping list and have a bunch of spinach to use up!
admin says
Awesome! I love fresh spinach in dishes, because it just adds that little bit of phyto-nutrient oomph.
Cinthia Duroche says
Hi Jamie:
Wow! This looks great! You might even say “to die for”? Be careful with your lighter side!
admin says
So true, Cinthia! Thankfully, no food bloggers were harmed irreparably in the writing of this recipe.
Tiffany says
Hello, beautiful!!! I’ve been looking for low carb meals to do in the crock pot because a 10 month old on the move doesn’t leave me as much time in the kitchen as I’d like, and ideally I need to prepare said meal during naptime…bingo! Thanks Jamie!
admin says
Hi, sweetness! I totally remember those days. Those toddlers keep us on our toes. I hope you love this dish!
miranda says
this looks great, i was wondering do you think instead of the sausage could one do ground chicken or would it taste funny?
admin says
Hi, Miranda! No, that wouldn’t be funny, I don’t think. In fact, I would think you could combine any meats for this dish and it would be perfect, so long as the textures are comparable.
Teresa says
“In a 6 quart crock pot, combine sausage and hamburger with sauce and onions. Place half of sauce mixture in crock pot.”
Am I reading this wrong? LOL
admin says
That would be a little confusing for sure! I meant to put half into the crock pot at a time… I’ll edit that. Thank you for catching that!
Linette Houser says
I just found your site at 200am its now 7.45 am and I have not left yet need to be getting ready for church lol I have came to the conclusion, ILOVE YOU and your wonderful site
Your Lighter Side says
Thank you so much for the kind words and the warmest welcome being sent your way!
Terry says
Sounds and looks yummy! I miss pizza. And who needs the crust anyway, right? Thanks! I’m looking forward to this!
admin says
You won’t even miss the crust when you have this. The cheese and toppings have always been the stars waiting in the wings for their big moment to shine!
Bonnie says
Will have to try this one this week. I just discovered that you can “”bake” in a crock pot I always thought you had to put everything in a water bath. Opened up the crock pot to so many more uses!
admin says
Water baths around here are deal breakers– at least for one of the boys and the cat. Well, in terms of bathing anyway…
Linda says
Love the looks of this…thanks for it!!!
admin says
I hope you enjoy!
Dolores Salerno says
Love this recipe, will definitely try it but LOVE your humor even more. What more could we ask for a delicious recipe and a laugh…perfect! Thanks & keep cooking!
admin says
Thank you so much, Dolores!
Paul says
I’m not sure how I feel about this recipe! On the one hand it looks amazing, but on the other, I SOOO love your chicken crusted pizza that I feel like I might be cheating on it if I were to make this crock-pot version.
Dear Lighter Side: Do I have room in my heart (and stomach) for both pizza recipes?
admin says
Dear Paul,
I think if you still propose to keep room in your fridge for chicken, the crock pot will understand not to become too haughty, and the chicken shouldn’t act too naughty. The key in these circumstances is to build up chicken crust’s confidence and assuring there won’t be much (if any change).
Yours in bacon,
Jamie
Donna Watson says
Chicken crusted pizza??? Recipe please!!
Gisela Rodriguez says
This looks so goeed!
Do you cook this with the crock pot’s glass lid on or off?
admin says
I cook with the lid on. Good question!
angel born says
So is one serving one slice?
Ariel says
YUM!!!!!!!! Thanks for combining 3 things I love: pizza, low-carb & crock pot.
admin says
YES! I like the way you worded that!
Rho says
I cooked this for 4 hours and have it cooling now – but how do I know for sure it’s done? Is there something to look for? Is smells wonderful…
admin says
Rho– After four hours you should be good! You mostly want the cheese to do its melty thing. If it’s lightly browned, all the better!
Tammy says
Made this last night in the oven. Awesome! Very customizable for preferred tastes. Looks like it will warm for lunches quite well too. I am going to try it in the crockpot next when I dig out my large one. Perfect for those nights when everyone is craving a meaty dish.
admin says
Tammy– I love that you baked this in the oven and came back to let me know you liked it! I’ll bet the cheese even had a little more bite to it. My brain is drooling a little.
Allie says
I am SOOOO excited to try this! Compiling a grocery list now. The hubs and kids usually have pizza night on Fridays, so now I will just have it with them!
admin says
You are in for such a treat! It’s like aromatherapy for pizza lovers. I hope you fall instantly in love.
Eric Oliver says
AMORE! (ah-MOR-ray) I love it!
admin says
Wew hew, Eric! I am so glad!
Karen says
Has any one added more layers? Need a dish to take to a large picnic. Thought this might be a hit, and I don’t want to run out fast!
admin says
I say build it as deep as you’d like, but just count on more cooking time. I think for a large picnic, you might want to use a lasagna-sized pan, load it up, bake it and then you can share the love more easily.
Karen says
What I’ve been thinking here too.
Daghain says
Mine came out a little runny, (more like a casserole than pizza) but MAN did it taste good! Definitely making this again!
ksilvan says
To lower the humidity in a crock pot and to reduce the watery chance of getting a soupy consistency place a layer of paper towels, completely covering the top of the crock pot opening then place the lid on top. This will give a more baked in the oven feel but the convenience of a crock pot.
Daghain says
Thanks! I’ll give that a try
Alexandra says
Made this last week for the boys and I. They RAVED. I had to do it in the oven since I forgot to put it in the crockpot that morning. The boys have been asking for it since then. I was worried that it looked a little runny when I pulled it out of the ove. I let it rest a bit, and when I came back to it everything had solidified nicely. Kinda like a pizza lasagna of tastiness. Thank you!
admin says
Yay! I love a happy ending. Thank you so much for sharing it with me, Alexandra!
Shannon says
Could you let the meat cook in the crockpot? Usually I am throwing things together the night before or before work in the morning, and like to have as little prep time as possible. Looks great regardless, though!
admin says
I think you might be able to, sure! Especially if we’re talking about it cooking for hours. I would hope so, anyway.
Karin says
Mmmmm Love!!!! Made this tonight. Delish. Used my favorite pizza sauce recipe from Tyler Florence. Thanks for the great recipe and blog. 🙂
Shelly says
Wow! Amazing taste. I made this last night and we ALL loved it. Tasted just like my favorite pizza at my favorite pizza joint! I added a LOT of fresh chopped garlic to mine. Yummyummy. The only question I have is about the pizza sauce. You don’t specify sugar free, so I looked at the sauces on the grocer’s shelf and picked the lowest carb option. It had 4 carbs per 1/4 cup and others had anywhere from 5-9. After thinking about it, I still think that seems like a lot for the recipe if it’s split 6 ways. Any opinion? No Kroger around here in central Florida.
Jamie says
Hi, Shelly! I buy mine from WalMart and I want to say it’s either 3 or 4 carbs per 1/4 cup without added sugar. It’s thin, so you could always use less. There’s so much flavor coming from the other elements of the dish, you only really need that tomato hint to get the point across.
Patty Bolin Prebalick says
For a sugar free, low carb option,take a can of regular tomato sauce, add oregano, or “Italian spice” ,salt and pepper parmesan cheese
Sue says
Tried it, turned out great. Thanks 🙂
swampcatquilter says
For something like this it would be good to use a crockpot liner. Looks fabuloso!
crossgirl says
I am making this today!
Jamie says
I adore this recipe. I hope you love it!
crossgirl says
Ok, I made this!! IT WAS AWESOME!!! My family gobbled it up, so I have to make another! 🙂 Thanks for this recipe. Mine did turn out a little runny and was more like a casserole, but man it was so good!
Jamie says
I am so glad you like this! Thankfully, the liquids are reabsorbed as the casserole chills, which makes it really nice later on.
Wyn says
I’m a little late to the party, but I made this in the oven tonight, adding about 1/3 c ricotta (leftovers…) to the first layer. The veggies were still crisp, which we decided we liked very much. Baked at 350 for 30 mins, rotating it at 20 to get the top evenly brown. Totally going on the regular rotation!
Jamie says
That sounds amazing, Wyn! I love your process. Thanks so much for sharing.
Melanie says
I appreciate this recipe. My nephew is in prison and they have just been able to buy a crock-pot. It is only a 5 cup but with the limited ingredients this recipe would work, since it does not have to have dough. Now all I have to do is figure out the amounts. I am going to go buy one so I can experiment.
Jamie says
Hi Melanie! I would say for a crock pot of about that size, cut the recipe by about 2/3, and that should fit! I love the crock pot. You can create such hearty meals in them–especially when your space is limited. I am sending good thoughts to your family. Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help with more recipes!
kathy says
Im guessing it would but just like your opinion, do you think this will freeze well?
kathy says
sorry just realized it says so in the instructions lol. Making this now!
Jamie VanEaton says
This is so good frozen! Just proportion before freezing and you’re golden. I love having food at the ready for those days I want something hearty but don’t have the time to cook something new.
Bonnie says
Time is 4-6 hours but what about those of us who have to work an 8 hour day? If I increase the ingrediants will that offset the additional time?
Jamie VanEaton says
Hi there! In that case, you could make in advance and keep it on warm until evening?
Bonnie says
Thanks Jamie! Just wasn’t sure if having it in the pot on warm would mess with the yummyness.
Jamie VanEaton says
I think if you have it on warm it should be all right, but you could also bake ahead and then place on warm in the morning and see if it heats through by dinner!
Adriane says
This is in mah crock-pot! I can’t wait! Thank you Jamie! You make the best stuff!
Margo says
FANTASTIC. Mine came out more like a casserole, even with the people’s tips, but still great!
Your Lighter Side says
It really is a lot like a casserole, but I’m glad you like it! I want to make another one. Thank you for the reminder.
Hope says
Do you have to use spinach my family all except me won’t eat it 🙁
Carol Tumberger says
Going to try this tonight! I have some turkey sausage that I think I add!
Paul says
Do you cook the beef/sausage before putting in crockpot?
Your Lighter Side says
Nope! It will cook in the crockpot 🙂
Angie Graves Lee says
Confused – the recipe says to add the beef & sausage cooked. Planning on making this tonight. Which is it?
joannabanana21 says
this was AWESOME!!! it was super easy to throw together- literally took me 20 min! it was in the crockpot for 5 hours and came out super flavorful.
Your Lighter Side says
So happy you enjoyed it 🙂
Gaylynn Davis Drews says
FY ,,the Walmart pizza sauce I checked had a wheat warning on the label. If you’re sensitive don’t use it. i’ll be trying this recipe as my husband is on a low carb diet and I am gluten free.
Rachel says
I’ve made this twice and it is watery each time. Am I missing something?
Chelsea Morgan says
Hello! I made this and noticed it tasted a little salty.. Has anyone else had this problem?
kay says
What is a serving size? i slice or 2?
Jessica says
Are onions required in the dish? Your instructions say to put the sausage and beef in the sauce with onions but onions are listed under the optional ingredients. I was planning to make this today but only bought the base ingredients.
Teresa says
Made this for a work luncheon, but I doubled the recipe, and it was a HUGE hit. They ate it all and asked for the recipe! I also made it 3 times after that, and think it’s the best thing since giving up sliced bread. 🙂
Your Lighter Side says
Awesome!
Linda says
Might sound like a dumb question but when you say put the meat and sausage in the slow cooker, are you meaning AFTER its browned?
Victoria says
I know one of your other recipes has a printer friendly version. Do you have this one that way as well, or would I need to just copy/paste?
Sarah Beth says
I thought this recipe was pretty good. It didn’t WOW me, but oh my word – my husband said it’s the best dish I’ve ever made. You would have thought he died and went to heaven. I had another Pizza bake recipe that has been his favorite for years, but apparently this has replaced it as #1 in his heart. With that kind of rave review, I’m definitely keeping this around!
I love that it has so much spinach in it. Adds some veggies and doesn’t compromise the taste at all. I also added some bell pepper. I wish I had removed the grease from the hamburger and sausage, because it was little watery. That being said, it might be good with a little more sauce (My grocery only had a 14 oz jar). Next time, I may use ground turkey instead of beef to make it leaner. We had caesar salad to go with it and will definitely be enjoying leftovers!
Your Lighter Side says
Awesome!!
Debbie Cunningham says
Do you chop or tear the spinach or is it whole leaves?
Your Lighter Side says
Personal preference! Which way do you prefer?