This Easy Crockpot Bubble Up Pizza Recipe turns refrigerated biscuit dough, pizza sauce, mozzarella, pepperoni, and your favorite toppings into a warm, cheesy slow-cooker dinner. Brown the optional Italian sausage or ground beef, mix everything together, and cook it on LOW for 3 to 4 hours or on HIGH for about 2 hours until the biscuit pieces are fully cooked.
Each scoop is soft, saucy, and wonderfully cheesy, with little biscuit bubbles tucked between savory meat and pepperoni. It serves approximately 6 to 8 people, takes about 15 to 20 minutes to prepare, and is an easy choice for busy weeknights, casual parties, or family pizza night.
Jump to RecipeWhy You’ll Love This Recipe
Bubble-up pizza has all the cozy appeal of a homemade casserole with the familiar flavors of a pizzeria pie. Instead of stretching dough or waiting for a crust to rise, you simply cut refrigerated biscuits into pieces and let the slow cooker do the work.
The biscuit dough puffs around the sauce and toppings, creating tender, fluffy bites that are easy to scoop and share. Melted mozzarella holds everything together while pepperoni and browned meat bring savory flavor to every serving.
This recipe is especially useful when you want dinner ready without standing over the oven. Prepare the ingredients, cover the crockpot, and let the gentle heat cook the casserole while you handle the rest of the evening.
For another fun pizza-inspired dinner, try our easy air fryer tortilla pizza when you need a smaller, faster option.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The traditional bubble-up base is made with two tubes of refrigerated biscuit dough, each about 16 to 16.3 ounces. Cut every biscuit into 6 to 8 pieces so the dough can cook evenly throughout the casserole.
Use one 14- to 15-ounce jar of pizza sauce for a balanced coating. A standard jar works well, but avoid adding extra sauce because too much moisture can leave the biscuit centers soft and doughy.
For a hearty version, brown 1 pound of Italian sausage or ground beef and drain it very well. The meat is optional, so you can leave it out for a vegetarian pizza casserole without changing the basic method.
You will also need 2 cups of shredded mozzarella, 1 cup of sliced or mini pepperoni, and 1/2 teaspoon of Italian seasoning if you want an extra herbaceous note. Keep nonstick cooking spray nearby for the 5- to 6-quart slow cooker.
- Vegetables: Add mushrooms, bell pepper, olives, or onions in moderate amounts.
- Extra toppings: Cooked bacon can add a smoky, salty bite.
- Important moisture tip: Avoid too many watery vegetables, and drain cooked meat thoroughly.
If you are planning a complete comfort-food menu, our easy tortellini soup makes another satisfying family dinner.
How to Make It Step-by-Step
Step 1: Brown the Italian sausage or ground beef in a skillet over medium heat, breaking it into small crumbles as it cooks. Once no pink remains, drain the excess grease thoroughly so the finished pizza does not become oily.
Step 2: Spray the inside of a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray, paying attention to the bottom and sides. This helps the saucy biscuit mixture release more easily when it is time to serve.
Step 3: Open the biscuit tubes and cut each biscuit into 6 to 8 pieces of similar size. Even pieces are important because large chunks can remain doughy while smaller pieces around the edges brown sooner.
Step 4: Place the biscuit pieces in a large bowl and gently add the pizza sauce, drained cooked meat, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella, pepperoni, and Italian seasoning. Stir carefully until the pieces are coated, taking care not to press or mash the dough.
Step 5: Transfer the mixture into the sprayed slow cooker and spread it into an even layer. An even surface helps the center and edges cook at a similar rate, which is especially helpful in a deeper crockpot.
Step 6: Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella over the top. The cheese will melt into a golden, stretchy layer while the biscuit pieces puff underneath.
Step 7: Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 3 to 4 hours or on HIGH for approximately 2 hours. Keep the lid closed as much as possible, since repeatedly uncovering the slow cooker releases heat and can lengthen the cooking time.
Step 8: Check the center rather than judging only by the browned edges. Continue cooking until the middle biscuit pieces are fully cooked and no longer doughy, then turn off the slow cooker and let the pizza stand uncovered for 5 to 10 minutes.
Step 9: Scoop the bubble-up pizza into bowls or onto plates and serve while warm. A broad spoon works well because it gathers biscuit pieces, sauce, cheese, and toppings in every portion.
Pro Tips for the Best Crockpot Pizza
Cutting the biscuits small and evenly is the most important preparation detail. The dough needs room to cook through, and uniform pieces prevent a mixture of undercooked centers and overly browned edges.
Do not overload the slow cooker with additional toppings. Mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, and olives are delicious, but watery ingredients can add moisture and interfere with the biscuit texture.
Drain the browned sausage or ground beef carefully before adding it to the bowl. Excess grease can make the sauce thin and heavy, while well-drained meat keeps the casserole rich without becoming greasy.
Resist the temptation to lift the lid every 20 minutes. Slow cookers lose substantial heat when uncovered, so frequent checking can extend the cooking time and make the result less predictable.
If the edges are browned but the middle is still doughy, keep cooking until the center is done. The brief uncovered resting period after cooking allows the sauce to settle and makes scooping easier.
For a sweet finish after this savory meal, serve a small dessert such as these pina colada bars.
Variations and Serving Ideas
The easiest variation is vegetarian bubble-up pizza. Simply omit the meat and add a modest amount of sliced mushrooms, diced bell pepper, olives, or onions, making sure the vegetables are not excessively wet.
For a bacon version, stir in cooked bacon with the pepperoni. You can also use refrigerated pizza dough instead of biscuit dough, although refrigerated biscuit dough is the traditional ingredient and gives the casserole its signature puffy texture.
Serve this pizza casserole with a crisp green salad, steamed vegetables, or fresh fruit. Since the slow cooker dish is rich and cheesy, something bright and fresh on the side creates a pleasant balance.
For a brunch-style spread or holiday gathering, pair the savory casserole with our bakery-style blueberry muffins. The sweet berries make a lovely contrast to the pepperoni and sausage.
Storage, Reheating, and Make-Ahead Notes
Let leftovers cool promptly, then transfer them to a covered container and refrigerate. For the best texture, enjoy the leftovers within a few days and reheat individual portions until hot throughout.
A microwave is convenient for reheating, though a covered skillet or oven-safe dish can help the biscuit pieces retain a more pleasant texture. Add a small sprinkle of mozzarella before reheating if you want a fresh cheesy top.
Do not assemble the raw biscuit mixture far in advance and leave it sitting at room temperature. The dough and sauce are best combined shortly before cooking so the biscuits do not absorb too much liquid before the slow cooker begins heating.
If you are preparing a festive dessert table after dinner, our Christmas tree pastries are a cheerful finishing touch.
Easy Crockpot Bubble Up Pizza
Ingredients
Method
- Brown the Italian sausage or ground beef in a skillet over medium heat until fully cooked. Drain the excess grease thoroughly and set the meat aside.
- Spray a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Cut each biscuit into 6 to 8 evenly sized pieces.
- In a large bowl, gently combine the biscuit pieces, pizza sauce, cooked meat, 1 cup of mozzarella, pepperoni, and Italian seasoning. Mix only until the pieces are coated without crushing the dough.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared slow cooker and spread it into an even layer. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella over the top.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 3 to 4 hours or on HIGH for approximately 2 hours. The pizza is ready when the biscuit pieces are cooked through and the center is no longer doughy.
- Turn off the slow cooker and let the pizza stand uncovered for 5 to 10 minutes. Scoop into bowls and serve warm.
Notes
Final Thoughts
This Easy Crockpot Bubble Up Pizza Recipe delivers the comfort of pizza night in a scoopable, slow-cooked casserole. With fluffy biscuit pieces, rich pizza sauce, bubbling mozzarella, pepperoni, and optional browned meat, it is filling, family-friendly, and simple to customize.
Remember to cut the biscuits evenly, drain the meat, keep watery toppings under control, and cook until the center is fully done. Give the finished casserole 5 to 10 minutes to rest uncovered, then serve generous portions while the cheese is warm and stretchy.
Whether you make the classic meat-and-pepperoni version or choose a colorful vegetarian combination, this crockpot dinner is a dependable way to bring everyone to the table.