Description
Pizza Pasta is a comforting and easy-to-make crockpot recipe that combines the flavors of a classic pizza with hearty rotini pasta. Ground beef, marinara sauce, and Italian seasonings meld together as the pasta cooks slowly in the sauce, then topped with melted mozzarella, cheddar cheese, and turkey pepperoni for a deliciously cheesy finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Main 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
Cheese and Toppings
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 20 slices turkey pepperoni
- Optional: 1/2 cup sliced black olives or mushrooms
Instructions
- Brown the beef: In a skillet over medium heat, brown the lean ground beef, seasoning it with garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Drain excess fat and set the beef aside.
- Combine ingredients in crockpot: In a 6-quart crockpot, add the cooked ground beef, marinara sauce, low-sodium beef broth, finely chopped onion, diced green bell pepper, and Italian seasoning. Mix all the ingredients thoroughly.
- Add the pasta and pepperoni: Stir in the uncooked rotini pasta until it is well coated with the sauce mixture. Then, top the mixture with half of the turkey pepperoni slices evenly distributed.
- Cook on low: Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 3 to 4 hours. Approximately halfway through the cooking time, stir the mixture gently and check the doneness of the pasta to ensure it is cooked to your preference.
- Add cheese and finish cooking: Once the pasta is tender, sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Add the remaining turkey pepperoni slices. Cover and cook for an additional 15 to 20 minutes until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef to reduce excess grease in the dish.
- Check pasta early to prevent overcooking, as slow cookers vary in temperature.
- Optional black olives or mushrooms add extra flavor and texture.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently.
- You can substitute turkey pepperoni with regular pepperoni or omit for a milder taste.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: Pizza Pasta, Crockpot Pasta, Slow Cooker Recipes, Italian-American, Ground Beef Pasta, Easy Dinner
