Slow-Cooker Deep-Dish Pizza

Recipe Ingredients

Just a few classic pizza staples come together to create irresistible deep-dish flavor and texture.

Pillsbury™ Thin Crust Pizza Crust: The secret shortcut to a crisp—yet tender—deep-dish base with no kneading or rising required. We recommend using only the thin-crust version of our pizza dough; a classic crust won’t cook all the way through in this recipe.

Pizza Sauce: Brings that rich, tangy tomato flavor that ties it all together. You could use BBQ sauce instead if you’re going for more of a BBQ chicken vibe!

Mozzarella Cheese: Melts into gooey, stretchy perfection for the ultimate pizza bite.

Other Ingredients You’ll Need: Add your favorite pizza toppings for a delicious finishing touch. We love classic sausage and pepperoni, which give this deep-dish pie plenty of hearty, savory, spicy flavor.

How to Make Slow-Cooker Deep-Dish Pizza

This easy deep-dish pizza practically makes itself. Here’s an overview of what you’ll need to do. Keep reading for the full recipe instructions!

1. Add the Crust to the Slow Cooker

Spray a 3½- to 4-quart oval slow cooker with cooking spray to prevent the pizza from sticking. Unroll the pizza dough, and fold it in half crosswise. Then, press it into the bottom of the slow cooker and about 1 inch up the sides.

2. Layer It Up

Spread pizza sauce evenly over the dough, along with half the sausage, pepperoni, and cheese, making sure to leave about 1/2 inch of space around the edges to create a “crust.” Repeat with another layer of toppings and cheese. Layering the toppings will weigh down the center of the dough and allow the edges to rise—but stick to just 2 layers. Otherwise, the crust won’t cook all the way through.

3. Cook Low and Slow

Cover and cook on Low for 2 to 2 1/2 hours, until the crust edges are deep golden brown and the cheese is perfectly melted. As we were testing this recipe, we found that the pizza needs to cook at least 2 hours for the dough to be fully cooked—and the browning happens in the last 10 minutes. If the dough still looks light, keep cooking a little longer.

4. Slice and Serve

Carefully use a spatula to lift the pizza out of the slow cooker, and transfer it to a cutting board. Cut into slices and enjoy!

How to Store (and Reheat) Slow-Cooker Deep-Dish Pizza

Leftover deep-dish pizza makes a great lunch the next day. Here’s how to keep it fresh.

Refrigerator Storage

Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Freezer Storage

Store in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks.

Reheating

From the Fridge: Microwave on high for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Or, reheat in a 375°F toaster oven for 5 to 10 minutes until the cheese melts, keeping an eye on it to make sure the edges don’t get too dark.

From the Freezer: Microwave on high in 1-minute increments until the cheese has melted and the pizza is fully thawed and warm. Or, reheat in a 375°F toaster oven for 10 to 15 minutes until the cheese melts, keeping an eye on it to make sure the edges don’t get too dark.