Crockpot Pizza Pasta
Delight in Crockpot Pizza Pasta, a fun, cheesy one-pot meal combining tender pasta, savory pepperoni, ground beef, and gooey mozzarella in a rich marinara sauce. This slow-cooker twist on pizza flavors is a surefire kid-pleaser ready with minimal effort.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Crockpot Pizza Pasta is every kid’s dream dinner—all the flavors of pizza (pepperoni, cheese, sauce) in easy-to-eat pasta form, made effortlessly in the slow cooker. It’s incredibly simple to throw together, uses pantry staples, and turns out perfectly cheesy and saucy every time. Picky eaters love the familiar taste, while parents love the hands-off cooking and easy cleanup. Customizable with favorite pizza toppings, it’s perfect for busy weeknights, game days, or potlucks. One batch feeds the whole family with happy plates and requests for seconds.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Use Rotini or Penne → Holds sauce best and fun for kids.
- Brown Meat First → Adds flavor and prevents greasiness.
- Add Pasta Uncooked → It cooks perfectly in the sauce.
- Stir Halfway → Ensures even cooking and sauce distribution.
- Extra Cheese Last → Prevents stringy mess; adds gooey top.
- Keep on Warm → Perfect for serving over time at parties.
Crockpot Pizza Pasta
Cheesy, pizza-flavored pasta made effortlessly in the crockpot—kids’ ultimate favorite.
Ingredients
- ½ cup grated Parmesan
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 lb ground beef (or turkey)
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 tsp salt
- 16 oz rotini or penne pasta (uncooked)
- 2 cups beef or chicken broth
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella (divided)
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups marinara sauce
- 4 oz pepperoni slices (mini or regular)
- Optional: bell peppers, mushrooms
Instructions
- Brown Beef → Cook ground beef with onion and garlic until browned; drain fat.
- Layer Crockpot → Lightly grease 6-qt slow cooker.
- Add Beef Mix → Spread browned beef mixture at bottom.
- Season → Sprinkle Italian seasoning, salt, pepper.
- Pour Sauce → Add marinara sauce and broth.
- Add Pepperoni → Layer half the pepperoni slices.
- Pasta Layer → Add uncooked pasta; press down gently.
- Slow Cook → Low 6 hours or high 3 hours; stir halfway if possible.
- Extra Cheese → Last 30 min, stir in half mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Serve Cheesy → Top with remaining cheese and pepperoni; let melt and enjoy!
Notes
- Uncooked pasta is key—it absorbs flavor perfectly.
- Stirring halfway prevents sticking.
- Add veggies like bell peppers with beef for hidden nutrition.
- Leftovers are amazing—flavors deepen overnight.
Nutrition Information
Yield
8Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 656Total Fat 36gSaturated Fat 16gUnsaturated Fat 20gCholesterol 123mgSodium 2044mgCarbohydrates 37gFiber 4gSugar 9gProtein 43g
The recipes and nutritional information on Crock Pot Meal are for informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare provider for personalized dietary advice.
Ingredients Notes
- Pasta → Rotini, penne, or bowties; uncooked for absorption.
- Ground Beef → Lean or regular; turkey for lighter.
- Pepperoni → Mini or regular sliced; adds classic pizza flavor.
- Marinara Sauce → Jarred or homemade; choose mild for kids.
- Mozzarella → Shredded; fresh melts best.
- Parmesan → Grated for extra cheesiness.
- Italian Seasoning → Blend of oregano, basil, thyme.
- Onion & Garlic → Diced for savory base.
Variations and Substitutions
- Meat Lover → Add sausage, bacon, or ham.
- Veggie → Bell peppers, mushrooms, olives.
- Milder → Skip pepperoni or use turkey pepperoni.
- Gluten-Free → GF pasta (add last 30 min).
- Spicy (for adults) → Red pepper flakes or hot sausage.
- Cheesy Extra → Stir in cream cheese or ricotta.
Storage Options
- Refrigerator → Airtight container up to 4 days.
- Freezer → Freeze in portions up to 3 months.
- Reheating → Microwave with splash of water or oven at 350°F.
Dish Gallery
Please share this Crockpot Pizza Pasta with your friends and do a comment below about your feedback.
We will meet you on next article.
Until you can read, Crockpot Mini Meatball Subs
