Introduction

Craving a fun, cheesy, pizza-inspired dish that’s perfect for a family-friendly meal or a casual Valentine’s Day treat? Slow Cooker Pizza Burritos are your answer! Adapted from the original oven-baked recipe, this slow cooker version wraps flour tortillas around pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, and your favorite toppings, then slow-cooks them in a flavorful broth to create a melty, portable delight. Ideal for busy weeknights, game nights, or kid-friendly dinners, this dish delivers bold pizza flavors with the ease of a slow cooker. Ready to create this crowd-pleasing masterpiece? Let’s get cooking!

Overview

Slow Cooker Pizza Burritos are a fusion of pizza and burrito, featuring flour tortillas stuffed with pizza sauce, shredded mozzarella, pepperoni (or other toppings), brushed with a garlic-Italian butter, sprinkled with Parmesan, and slow-cooked with a touch of broth for a tender, cheesy result. Optionally served with dipping sauces like pizza sauce or ranch, they’re a fun, customizable meal.

Time Requirement: 15 minutes prep, 2–3 hours on low or 1–1.5 hours on high.
Difficulty Level: Easy! Ideal for beginners, with simple assembly and minimal cooking skills needed.
Why It’s Special: This recipe is budget-friendly, kid-approved, and combines the best of pizza and burritos. The slow cooker ensures melty cheese and soft tortillas without drying out, while the garlic butter adds a restaurant-style touch. It’s adaptable for dietary needs (gluten-free tortillas, vegetarian toppings), perfect for casual dinners, parties, or meal prep with a playful twist.

Whether you’re feeding a crowd or craving a fun meal, these Slow Cooker Pizza Burritos are sure to impress. Let’s dive in!

Essential Ingredients

The magic of Slow Cooker Pizza Burritos lies in its simple, high-impact ingredients. Each one adds flavor, texture, or cheesiness to create a delicious dish. Here’s what you’ll need:

Flour Tortillas (5, soft taco size, about 8 inches):
- Why it’s important: Soft, pliable tortillas wrap the fillings, creating a burrito-style pizza pocket.
- Substitutions: Gluten-free tortillas, whole wheat tortillas, or corn tortillas (smaller and less flexible, adjust filling).
Pizza Sauce (1 cup):
- Why it’s important: Provides the tangy, tomatoey base for the pizza flavor.
- Substitutions: Marinara sauce, pesto, or Alfredo sauce for a different flavor profile.
Shredded Mozzarella Cheese (1–1.5 cups):
- Why it’s important: Melts into a gooey, stretchy filling that defines the pizza experience.
- Substitutions: Cheddar, provolone, or a pizza cheese blend, or vegan cheese for plant-based.
Pepperoni Slices (30+, about ½ cup):
- Why it’s important: Adds classic pizza flavor with a salty, spicy kick.
- Substitutions: Sausage crumbles, diced ham, mushrooms, bell peppers, olives, or other pizza toppings (vegetarian or meat-based).
Butter (3 tbsp, melted):
- Why it’s important: Creates a golden, flavorful coating with garlic and herbs.
- Substitutions: Olive oil or vegan butter for plant-based.
Garlic Powder (⅓ tsp):
- Why it’s important: Infuses the butter with savory, aromatic flavor.
- Substitutions: 1 minced garlic clove (mixed into butter) or ¼ tsp garlic salt (reduce salt).
Italian Seasoning (½ tsp):
- Why it’s important: Adds herbaceous pizza flavor with oregano, basil, and thyme.
- Substitutions: Dried oregano, basil, or a pinch of pizza seasoning.
Salt (pinch):
- Why it’s important: Enhances the flavors of the butter coating.
- Substitutions: Sea salt or omit if using salted butter.
Shredded Parmesan (¼ cup, for topping):
- Why it’s important: Adds a nutty, savory crust to the burritos.
- Substitutions: Grated Pecorino Romano, Asiago, or nutritional yeast for vegan.

Additional for Slow Cooker:

Chicken or Vegetable Broth (¼ cup):
- Why it’s important: Keeps the burritos moist during slow cooking without making them soggy.
- Substitutions: Water or low-sodium broth.

Optional for Serving:

Extra Pizza Sauce or Ranch Dressing (for dipping):
- Why it’s important: Enhances the pizza experience with a saucy or creamy dip.
- Substitutions: Marinara, garlic aioli, or hot sauce.

Tip: Use fresh, high-quality mozzarella for better melting, and don’t overstuff tortillas to ensure easy folding and even cooking.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Making Slow Cooker Pizza Burritos is fun and straightforward, with the slow cooker ensuring a melty, cohesive result. Follow these steps for a delicious outcome.

Step 1: Prepare the Fillings

Lay out 5 flour tortillas on a clean surface.
Spread about 2–3 tbsp pizza sauce on each tortilla, leaving a 1-inch border around the edges for easy folding.
Sprinkle ¼–⅓ cup shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce on each tortilla.
Add 6–8 pepperoni slices (or your preferred toppings) per tortilla, ensuring not to overstuff.
Tip: Keep toppings evenly distributed and avoid the edges to prevent leakage during folding.

Step 2: Fold the Burritos

Fold each tortilla like a burrito: Fold in the left and right sides toward the center, then roll tightly from the bottom up, keeping the seam side down.
Ensure the burritos are tightly rolled to hold the fillings during cooking.
Tip: If tortillas are stiff, warm them in the microwave for 10 seconds to make them pliable.

Step 3: Prepare the Garlic Butter

In a small bowl, mix 3 tbsp melted butter, ⅓ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp Italian seasoning, and a pinch of salt until combined.
Brush the top and sides of each burrito generously with the garlic butter mixture.
Sprinkle about 1 tbsp shredded Parmesan over the top of each burrito for a cheesy crust.
Tip: Use a pastry brush for even butter application, and reserve a little butter for brushing after cooking if desired.

Step 4: Assemble in the Slow Cooker

Lightly grease the slow cooker insert with cooking spray or a thin layer of oil to prevent sticking.
Place the burritos seam side down in a single layer in the slow cooker (you may need to stack slightly depending on size, but avoid overcrowding).
Pour ¼ cup chicken or vegetable broth around (not over) the burritos to keep them moist without softening the exterior too much.
Tip: Place a small rack or crumpled foil balls under the burritos to elevate them slightly and maintain texture, if desired.

Step 5: Cook

Cover and cook on low for 2–3 hours or high for 1–1.5 hours, until the cheese is melted, the fillings are heated through, and the tortillas are soft but intact.
Check doneness early to avoid overcooking, as slow cookers vary and tortillas can become too soft.
Tip: Avoid lifting the lid during cooking to maintain consistent heat.

Step 6: Crisp (Optional) and Serve

For a crispier exterior (mimicking the baked version), transfer the cooked burritos to a baking sheet and broil at 400°F (200°C) for 2–3 minutes until golden, or air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 3–5 minutes.
Let the burritos cool for 5 minutes to set the fillings.
Serve hot alone or with extra pizza sauce or ranch dressing for dipping.
Pair with a side salad, garlic bread, or fries for a complete meal.
Tip: Slice burritos in half diagonally for a fun presentation, revealing the melty cheese inside.

Assembly

Assembling Slow Cooker Pizza Burritos is all about creating a fun, cheesy, pizza-inspired plate. Here’s how to bring it together:

Serve the Burritos: Place 1–2 burritos per plate, ensuring the golden, Parmesan-crusted exterior is visible.
Add Dipping Sauce: Serve with small bowls of extra pizza sauce or ranch dressing for dipping, enhancing the pizza experience.
Presentation Tips:
- Use colorful plates to highlight the golden burritos and vibrant dipping sauces.
- Arrange burritos whole for a casual look, or slice in half and fan out to show the cheesy fillings for a polished presentation.
- Pair with a Caesar salad, roasted zucchini sticks, or mozzarella sticks for a complete pizza-themed meal, perfect for a Valentine’s Day treat.

Tip: For a romantic touch, serve with heart-shaped dipping sauce bowls or a sprinkle of fresh basil for Valentine’s Day.

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

Keep your Slow Cooker Pizza Burritos fresh and ready to enjoy with these tips:

Storing Leftovers:
- Store cooled burritos in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3–4 days.
- Reheating: Reheat in the microwave (1–2 minutes, wrapped in a damp paper towel) for softness, or in an oven/air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 5–7 minutes to restore crispiness. Serve with fresh dipping sauce.
Make-Ahead Tips:
- Assembly: Prepare and fold burritos up to 1 day ahead, storing in the fridge wrapped tightly in plastic wrap to prevent drying out.
- Butter and Topping: Brush with garlic butter and sprinkle with Parmesan just before slow cooking to maintain flavor.
- Full Dish: Assemble and cook the burritos a day ahead, refrigerate, and reheat gently in the slow cooker on low for 1 hour or in the oven for crispiness.
Freezing: Freeze assembled (uncooked) burritos without butter or Parmesan in a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight, brush with butter and Parmesan, and slow cook as directed, adding 30 minutes to the cooking time.

Tip: Use leftovers as a base for a pizza burrito bowl, chopping the burritos and mixing with extra sauce and cheese.

Recipe Variations

Slow Cooker Pizza Burritos are versatile and easy to customize. Try these creative twists:

Veggie Delight: Replace pepperoni with sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, or spinach for a vegetarian version.
Spicy Kick: Add diced jalapeños, red pepper flakes, or spicy sausage to the filling, or mix hot sauce into the pizza sauce.
Hawaiian Twist: Use diced ham and pineapple chunks for a sweet-savory Hawaiian pizza burrito.
Cheesy Overload: Mix in ½ cup ricotta or extra mozzarella inside the burritos for an ultra-cheesy filling.
BBQ Chicken: Swap pizza sauce for BBQ sauce, use shredded chicken, and add cheddar for a BBQ pizza burrito.

Tip: Keep the tortilla and mozzarella base for the pizza vibe, but adjust toppings or sauces to suit your taste.

Conclusion

You’re now ready to make Slow Cooker Pizza Burritos—a dish that’s as fun as it is delicious! With their melty mozzarella, tangy pizza sauce, and garlic-butter crust, these burritos bring pizza party vibes to your table with minimal effort. They’re perfect for Valentine’s Day treats, family dinners, or meal prep with a playful twist. Customize with your favorite toppings, sauces, or dips, and enjoy the process as much as the meal. Grab your slow cooker, whip up these cheesy masterpieces, and savor every delightful bite. Happy cooking!

Pizza Burritos

Author: Jessica

Print Recipe

Description

Ingredients

Flour Tortillas (5, soft taco size, about 8 inches):
- Why it’s important: Soft, pliable tortillas wrap the fillings, creating a burrito-style pizza pocket.
- Substitutions: Gluten-free tortillas, whole wheat tortillas, or corn tortillas (smaller and less flexible, adjust filling).
Pizza Sauce (1 cup):
- Why it’s important: Provides the tangy, tomatoey base for the pizza flavor.
- Substitutions: Marinara sauce, pesto, or Alfredo sauce for a different flavor profile.
Shredded Mozzarella Cheese (1–1.5 cups):
- Why it’s important: Melts into a gooey, stretchy filling that defines the pizza experience.
- Substitutions: Cheddar, provolone, or a pizza cheese blend, or vegan cheese for plant-based.
Pepperoni Slices (30+, about ½ cup):
- Why it’s important: Adds classic pizza flavor with a salty, spicy kick.
- Substitutions: Sausage crumbles, diced ham, mushrooms, bell peppers, olives, or other pizza toppings (vegetarian or meat-based).
Butter (3 tbsp, melted):
- Why it’s important: Creates a golden, flavorful coating with garlic and herbs.
- Substitutions: Olive oil or vegan butter for plant-based.
Garlic Powder (⅓ tsp):
- Why it’s important: Infuses the butter with savory, aromatic flavor.
- Substitutions: 1 minced garlic clove (mixed into butter) or ¼ tsp garlic salt (reduce salt).
Italian Seasoning (½ tsp):
- Why it’s important: Adds herbaceous pizza flavor with oregano, basil, and thyme.
- Substitutions: Dried oregano, basil, or a pinch of pizza seasoning.
Salt (pinch):
- Why it’s important: Enhances the flavors of the butter coating.
- Substitutions: Sea salt or omit if using salted butter.
Shredded Parmesan (¼ cup, for topping):
- Why it’s important: Adds a nutty, savory crust to the burritos.
- Substitutions: Grated Pecorino Romano, Asiago, or nutritional yeast for vegan.

Additional for Slow Cooker:

Chicken or Vegetable Broth (¼ cup):
- Why it’s important: Keeps the burritos moist during slow cooking without making them soggy.
- Substitutions: Water or low-sodium broth.

Optional for Serving:

Extra Pizza Sauce or Ranch Dressing (for dipping):
- Why it’s important: Enhances the pizza experience with a saucy or creamy dip.
- Substitutions: Marinara, garlic aioli, or hot sauce.

Tip: Use fresh, high-quality mozzarella for better melting, and don’t overstuff tortillas to ensure easy folding and even cooking.