Slow-Cooker Deep-Dish Pizza

Preparation-25mins

Total-2hrs & 10mins

Servings-4

Ingredients

• 1/2lb bulk mild Italian sausage
• 1can (11 oz) refrigerated Pillsbury Thin Crust Pizza Crust
• 1/2cup pizza sauce
• 1/4cup chopped red or green bell pepper
• 1/4cup chopped onion
• 1 1/2cups shredded mozzarella cheese (6 oz)

Steps

• 1)
  Spray 6-quart oval slow cooker with cooking spray. In 10-inch non-stick skillet, cook sausage over medium-high heat 5 to 7 minutes, stirring frequently, until no longer pink; drain.
• 2)
  Unroll pizza dough; fold in half crosswise. Place pizza dough in slow cooker; press in bottom and 1 inch up sides. Spread pizza sauce evenly over dough to within 1/2 inch of edges. Top with half each of the cooked sausage, bell pepper, onion and cheese. Repeat with remaining sausage, bell pepper, onion and cheese.
• 3)
  Place folded, clean dish towel under cover of cooker. This will prevent condensation from dripping down onto pizza. Cover; cook on High heat setting 45 minutes. Carefully remove slow cooker’s ceramic insert, leaving cover on, and rotate insert 180°. Continue to cook on High heat setting 30 to 60 minutes or until crust edges are deep golden brown, cheese is melted, and thermometer inserted in centre reads 165°F.
• 4)
  Loosen edges of pizza with metal spatula or small knife; carefully remove from slow cooker to cutting board. Cut and serve.