Description
Craving a fun, flavor-packed dish that combines the best of pizza and tacos for a family dinner or a festive Valentine’s Day meal? Slow Cooker Meat Lovers Pizza Tacos are your answer! Adapted from the original stovetop and oven recipe, this slow cooker version features a hearty filling of ground beef, pepperoni, bacon, and sausage, mixed with bell peppers, onions, and pizza sauce, slow-cooked for maximum flavor, then served in warm tortillas with melted mozzarella and black olives.
Ingredients
- Ground Beef (1 lb):
- Why it’s important: Provides a rich, savory base for the meaty filling.
- Substitutions: Ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based meat for vegetarian (adjust cooking time slightly for leaner meats).
- Pepperoni (½ cup, diced):
- Why it’s important: Adds spicy, tangy flavor typical of pizza.
- Substitutions: Turkey pepperoni, salami, or omit for less spice.
- Cooked Bacon (½ cup, crumbled):
- Why it’s important: Brings smoky, salty crunch to the filling.
- Substitutions: Turkey bacon, pancetta, or omit for vegetarian (add ½ tsp smoked paprika for smoky flavor).
- Sliced Sausage (½ cup, cooked, preferably Italian or breakfast sausage):
- Why it’s important: Adds savory, spiced depth to the meat mix.
- Substitutions: Chorizo for extra heat, plant-based sausage, or additional ground beef.
- Pizza Sauce (½ cup):
- Why it’s important: Provides the tomatoey, pizza-like flavor that ties the filling together.
- Substitutions: Marinara sauce, crushed tomatoes with ½ tsp Italian seasoning, or BBQ sauce for a twist.
- Shredded Mozzarella Cheese (½ cup):
- Why it’s important: Melts into a gooey, pizza-inspired topping.
- Substitutions: Provolone, cheddar, or vegan mozzarella.
- Black Olives (¼ cup, sliced):
- Why it’s important: Adds briny, savory contrast to the rich meats.
- Substitutions: Green olives, capers, or omit.
- Bell Pepper (¼ cup, diced, preferably green or red):
- Why it’s important: Provides crunch and a fresh, vegetal note.
- Substitutions: Jalapeños for spice, zucchini, or omit.
- Red Onion (¼ cup, diced):
- Why it’s important: Adds sweet, sharp flavor to balance the richness.
- Substitutions: Yellow onion, shallots, or ½ tsp onion powder.
- Garlic Powder (1 tsp):
- Why it’s important: Infuses the filling with savory, aromatic flavor.
- Substitutions: 2 minced garlic cloves or ½ tsp garlic paste.
- Italian Seasoning (1 tsp):
- Why it’s important: Adds herbaceous flavor with oregano, basil, and thyme, mimicking pizza seasoning.
- Substitutions: Dried oregano, pizza seasoning, or a mix of dried herbs.
- Salt (to taste, about ½ tsp):
- Why it’s important: Enhances the flavors of the filling.
- Substitutions: Sea salt or kosher salt.
- Black Pepper (to taste, about ¼ tsp):
- Why it’s important: Adds mild heat and depth to the filling.
- Substitutions: White pepper or a pinch of cayenne for extra spice.
- Tortillas (8, preferably flour or corn, 6–8 inch):
- Why it’s important: Acts as the taco shell, holding the pizza-inspired filling.
- Substitutions: Gluten-free tortillas, lettuce wraps for low-carb, or pita bread.
Additional for Slow Cooker:
- Olive Oil (1 tbsp, for browning):
- Why it’s important: Used to brown the meat and sauté vegetables.
- Substitutions: Vegetable oil, avocado oil, or butter.
- Chicken or Vegetable Broth (¼ cup):
- Why it’s important: Keeps the filling moist during slow cooking without making it soggy.
- Substitutions: Water or omit if the filling is already saucy.
Tip: Use freshly shredded mozzarella for better melting, and choose high-quality pizza sauce for authentic flavor. Pre-cook bacon and sausage to save time.
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Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Meat Filling
- In a large skillet over medium heat, heat 1 tbsp olive oil.
- Add 1 lb ground beef and cook for 5–7 minutes, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat to reduce greasiness.
- Add ½ cup diced pepperoni, ½ cup crumbled cooked bacon, ½ cup sliced cooked sausage, ¼ cup diced bell pepper, ¼ cup diced red onion, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp Italian seasoning, ½ tsp salt, and ¼ tsp black pepper.
- Sauté for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften and the flavors meld.
- Stir in ½ cup pizza sauce and cook for 1–2 minutes to heat through.
- Transfer the meat mixture to the slow cooker insert.
- Tip: Cook the meat in batches if the skillet is small to ensure even browning, and taste the filling to adjust seasoning before slow cooking.
Step 2: Slow Cook the Filling
- Pour ¼ cup chicken or vegetable broth over the meat mixture in the slow cooker to maintain moisture.
- Cover and cook on low for 4–5 hours or high for 2–3 hours, until the filling is tender, flavorful, and slightly thickened.
- Stir gently halfway through if possible to redistribute flavors, but avoid overmixing to keep the texture intact.
- Tip: If the filling looks too watery near the end, cook uncovered on high for 15–20 minutes to reduce excess liquid.
Step 3: Warm the Tortillas
- About 10 minutes before serving, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Place 8 tortillas on a baking sheet (or wrap in foil for softer tortillas) and warm for 2–3 minutes until soft and pliable. Alternatively, warm tortillas in the microwave (wrapped in a damp paper towel) for 20–30 seconds.
- Keep tortillas warm by covering with a clean kitchen towel until ready to assemble.
- Tip: For crispier tacos, lightly brush tortillas with olive oil and bake for 5–7 minutes, shaping them in a taco holder if desired.
Step 4: Assemble the Tacos
- Spread a thin layer of additional pizza sauce (about 1 tsp per tortilla, optional) on each warm tortilla for extra flavor.
- Spoon an even portion of the meat mixture (about ¼ cup) onto each tortilla, spreading it down the center.
- Sprinkle ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese and ¼ cup sliced black olives evenly over the tacos.
- Tip: Assemble tacos just before serving to prevent soggy tortillas, and work quickly to keep the filling hot.
Step 5: Melt the Cheese and Serve
- Place the assembled tacos on a baking sheet and return to the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5–7 minutes, or until the mozzarella is melted and bubbly.
- Alternatively, broil at 400°F (200°C) for 1–2 minutes for a golden, bubbly cheese topping (watch closely to avoid burning).
- Let the tacos rest for 1–2 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Serve hot, optionally garnished with fresh parsley or extra pizza sauce, and pair with a side of fries, a green salad, or garlic knots.
- Tip: Serve with small bowls of extra pizza sauce or ranch for dipping to enhance the pizza vibe.
Assembly
Assembling Slow Cooker Meat Lovers Pizza Tacos is all about creating a fun, pizza-inspired taco spread. Here’s how to bring it together:
- Serve the Tacos: Arrange the tacos on a platter or individual plates, showcasing the melty mozzarella, black olives, and meaty filling.
- Add Toppings: Sprinkle with fresh parsley or a drizzle of pizza sauce for a vibrant finish.
- Presentation Tips:
- Use a colorful platter to highlight the cheesy tacos and pizza-like toppings.
- Arrange tacos upright in a taco holder for a polished look, or lay flat for a casual, family-style vibe.
- Pair with mozzarella sticks, a Caesar salad, or garlic bread for a complete pizza-taco feast, perfect for Valentine’s Day.
Tip: For a romantic touch, shape tortillas into hearts before warming or garnish with heart-shaped cheese slices for Valentine’s Day.
