Description

This Crockpot Pizza Pasta recipe is a hearty, comforting one-pot meal that combines tender rotini pasta with savory ground beef and classic pizza flavors. It’s cooked slowly in a crockpot for easy preparation, making it perfect for busy weeknights or casual family dinners. The dish is topped with melted mozzarella and cheddar cheese along with turkey pepperoni, delivering all the taste of a classic pizza in a pasta form.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Protein

1 pound lean ground beef (93% lean)
20 slices turkey pepperoni

Pasta and Sauces

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

Vegetables and 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

Cheeses

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Optional

1/2 cup sliced black olives or mushrooms

Instructions

Brown the Meat: In a skillet over medium heat, brown the lean ground beef, seasoning it with garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Once cooked through, drain excess fat and set the beef aside.
Combine Ingredients: In a 6-quart crockpot, add the cooked ground beef along with marinara sauce, low-sodium beef broth, finely chopped onion, diced green bell pepper, and Italian seasoning. Mix everything thoroughly to combine all the flavors well.
Add Pasta and Pepperoni: Stir in the uncooked rotini pasta, making sure it is evenly coated with the sauce mixture. Arrange half of the turkey pepperoni slices on top of the pasta mixture to infuse flavor during cooking.
Cook the Pasta: Cover the crockpot and cook on low heat for 3 to 4 hours. About halfway through the cooking time, give the mixture a gentle stir and check the pasta for doneness to ensure it cooks evenly.
Add Cheese and Finish: Once the pasta is tender, sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Add the remaining pepperoni slices. Cover and cook for an additional 15 to 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Notes

For extra veggies, consider adding the optional sliced black olives or mushrooms during the initial crockpot mixing step.
If you prefer a spicier version, add crushed red pepper flakes or use spicy pepperoni.
Use low-sodium broths and cheeses if watching your salt intake.
Make sure to check pasta doneness halfway through cooking to avoid overcooking and mushy pasta.
This recipe works well with other pasta shapes like penne or ziti if rotini is unavailable.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

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

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