Crockpot Pizza Pasta Recipe

Introduction

Crockpot Pizza Pasta is a comforting, easy-to-make dish that combines all the flavors of your favorite pizza in a hearty pasta meal. Perfect for busy days, this recipe uses simple ingredients and slow cooking to develop rich, delicious flavors with minimal effort.

Ingredients

• 1 pound lean ground beef (93% lean)
• 12 ounces uncooked rotini pasta
• 24 ounces marinara sauce
• 1 cup low-sodium beef broth
• 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 20 slices turkey pepperoni
• Optional: 1/2 cup sliced black olives or mushrooms

Instructions

1. Step 1: Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat, seasoning it with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Once cooked through, drain the excess fat and set the beef aside.
2. Step 2: In a 6-quart crockpot, combine the cooked beef, marinara sauce, beef broth, chopped onion, diced bell pepper, and Italian seasoning. Stir well to mix all the ingredients evenly.
3. Step 3: Add the uncooked rotini pasta to the crockpot and stir until the pasta is coated with the sauce mixture. Spread half of the turkey pepperoni slices evenly on top.
4. Step 4: Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 3 to 4 hours. About halfway through cooking, stir the mixture gently and check the pasta for doneness.
5. Step 5: When the pasta is tender, sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese over the top. Add the remaining pepperoni slices and cover again. Cook for another 15–20 minutes or until the cheese has melted completely.

Tips & Variations

• For extra veggies, add the optional sliced black olives or mushrooms at step 2 for more flavor and texture.
• If you prefer a spicier kick, sprinkle in some crushed red pepper flakes alongside the Italian seasoning.
• Using low-sodium broth and sauce helps control salt levels, especially if you add olives which can be salty.
• Feel free to swap turkey pepperoni for regular pepperoni or even cooked sausage for a different taste.

Storage

Store leftover pizza pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of broth or water to keep the pasta moist and the cheese melty.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use different pasta shapes?

Yes, you can substitute rotini with other short pasta like penne, rigatoni, or shells. Just make sure the cooking time is similar to avoid overcooking or undercooking.

Is it necessary to brown the ground beef before adding it to the crockpot?

Browning the beef first adds flavor and helps reduce excess fat, resulting in a better texture and taste. You can cook it directly in the crockpot, but the dish may be less flavorful.

Crockpot Pizza Pasta Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 139 reviews

• Author: Andria
• Total Time: 3 hours 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Diet: Low Fat

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Description

This Crockpot Pizza Pasta is a hearty and comforting one-pot meal combining lean ground beef, flavorful marinara, tender pasta, and melty cheese, all cooked slowly in a crockpot for an easy and delicious dinner.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat and Dairy

• 1 pound lean ground beef (93% lean)
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 20 slices turkey pepperoni

Pasta and Sauce

• 12 ounces uncooked rotini pasta
• 24 ounces marinara sauce
• 1 cup low-sodium beef broth

Vegetables & Seasonings

• 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• Optional: 1/2 cup sliced black olives or mushrooms

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Instructions

1. Brown the beef: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned, seasoning it with garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Once cooked through, drain the fat and set the beef aside.
2. Combine ingredients in crockpot: In a 6-quart crockpot, add the browned ground beef, marinara sauce, low-sodium beef broth, finely chopped onion, diced green bell pepper, and Italian seasoning. Stir everything together thoroughly to mix the flavors evenly.
3. Add pasta and pepperoni: Stir in the uncooked rotini pasta, making sure it is fully coated in the sauce mixture. Then, arrange half of the turkey pepperoni slices evenly on top.
4. Cook pasta: Cover the crockpot with the lid and cook on low heat for 3 to 4 hours. About halfway through the cooking time, stir the pasta gently and check for doneness to ensure it cooks evenly without sticking.
5. Add cheese and finish cooking: Once the pasta is tender and cooked through, sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Add the remaining pepperoni slices on top of the cheese. Cover and continue cooking for another 15 to 20 minutes, or until the cheese has fully melted and is bubbly.

Notes

• For a vegetarian version, omit the ground beef and turkey pepperoni, and add extra veggies like mushrooms or olives.
• Use gluten-free pasta to make this recipe gluten-free.
• Make sure to stir halfway through cooking to prevent pasta from sticking to the bottom.
• Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
• Adjust seasoning according to taste, especially salt, if using broth or marinara with higher sodium.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: Crockpot, Pizza Pasta, Slow Cooker, Comfort Food, Easy Dinner, Ground Beef, One Pot Meal