Print

Crockpot Pizza Pasta Recipe

4.6 from 303 reviews

This Crockpot Pizza Pasta is a comforting and easy one-pot meal that combines hearty ground beef, rotini pasta, marinara sauce, and melted cheese with the flavors of classic pizza. Slow-cooked in a crockpot, this dish is perfect for busy days when you want a delicious, hot meal without the fuss.

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

  1. Brown the ground beef: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the lean ground beef, seasoning it with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Continue to brown until fully cooked and no pink remains. Drain excess fat and set the beef aside.
  2. Combine ingredients in the 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 these ingredients thoroughly to distribute the flavors evenly.
  3. Add the pasta and pepperoni: Stir the uncooked rotini pasta into the crockpot mixture, ensuring the pasta is well coated with sauce. Then, top the mixture with half of the turkey pepperoni slices, spreading them over the top.
  4. Cook the pasta: Cover the crockpot with its lid and cook on low heat for 3 to 4 hours. Halfway through the cooking time, stir the pasta gently and check the doneness to ensure it cooks evenly and doesn’t stick to the bottom.
  5. Add cheese and remaining pepperoni: Once the pasta is tender and cooked through, sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheeses evenly over the top. Add the remaining turkey pepperoni slices. Cover the crockpot and cook for an additional 15 to 20 minutes until the cheeses have melted completely.

Notes

  • For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with plant-based crumbles and omit the pepperoni.
  • Be careful when stirring the pasta during cooking to avoid breaking it up.
  • If using optional olives or mushrooms, add them to the crockpot along with the bell pepper and onion.
  • You can adjust the seasoning to your taste by adding extra Italian seasoning or red pepper flakes for heat.
  • Make sure your crockpot is large enough (6-quart recommended) to accommodate all ingredients comfortably.

Keywords: crockpot pizza pasta, slow cooker pasta, pizza pasta, easy dinner, ground beef pasta, cheese pasta, crockpot recipe