Description

This hearty Pizza Pasta recipe combines the rich flavors of classic pizza with the comforting texture of pasta, all cooked conveniently in a crockpot. Ground beef, rotini pasta, and a savory marinara sauce are simmered together, then topped with melted mozzarella, cheddar cheese, and turkey pepperoni to create a delicious, satisfying meal perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Protein

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

Pasta and Sauce

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

Cheese

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Optional Ingredients

1/2 cup sliced black olives or mushrooms (optional)

Instructions

Brown the Ground Beef: Heat a skillet over medium heat and brown the lean ground beef, seasoning it with garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Once cooked through, drain any excess fat and set the beef aside.
Combine Ingredients in Crockpot: In a 6-quart crockpot, add the browned ground beef, marinara sauce, low-sodium beef broth, finely chopped yellow onion, diced green bell pepper, and Italian seasoning. Stir all the ingredients together thoroughly to combine flavors evenly.
Add Pasta and Pepperoni: Stir in the uncooked rotini pasta, ensuring the pasta is well coated with the sauce mixture. Arrange half of the turkey pepperoni slices on top of the mixture.
Cook the Pasta: Cover the crockpot and set it to cook on low for 3 to 4 hours. Stir the contents halfway through the cooking time to prevent sticking and to check that the pasta is cooking evenly.
Add Cheese and Remaining Pepperoni: Once the pasta is tender and cooked through, sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Place the remaining turkey pepperoni slices on top of the cheese. Cover the crockpot again and cook for an additional 15 to 20 minutes until the cheese has melted completely.

Notes

For added flavor, optional sliced black olives or mushrooms can be included with the vegetables.
Be sure to stir halfway through the cooking time to avoid the pasta sticking to the bottom.
Check the pasta doneness carefully as cooking times may vary based on crockpot model.
Use lean ground beef to reduce excess fat and grease.
Low-sodium beef broth helps keep sodium levels controlled in the dish.
This recipe can be adapted with vegetarian substitutes for ground beef and pepperoni to make a vegetarian version.

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

Keywords: pizza pasta, crockpot recipe, slow cooker dinner, easy pasta recipe, cheesy pasta, ground beef pasta, comfort food