Description
This Crockpot Pizza Pasta is a comforting one-pot meal combining lean ground beef, rotini pasta, marinara sauce, and a blend of mozzarella and cheddar cheeses. Simmered slowly with Italian seasoning and turkey pepperoni, it offers a hands-off way to enjoy pizza-inspired flavors in a creamy pasta dish perfect for busy weeknights.
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
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 20 slices turkey pepperoni
Optional Ingredients
- 1/2 cup sliced black olives or mushrooms
Instructions
- Brown the Ground Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the lean ground beef, seasoning it with garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Once browned, drain any 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 yellow onion, diced green bell pepper, and Italian seasoning. Stir everything until well combined.
- Add Pasta and Pepperoni: Stir in the uncooked rotini pasta until it is evenly coated with the sauce mixture. Then, layer half of the turkey pepperoni slices over the top.
- Cook Slowly: Cover the crockpot and cook on the low setting for 3 to 4 hours. Halfway through cooking, give the mixture a good stir and check the pasta’s doneness to prevent overcooking.
- Add Cheese and Remaining Pepperoni: Once the pasta is tender, sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheeses over the top and add the remaining turkey pepperoni slices. Cover again and cook for an additional 15 to 20 minutes, or until the cheese has melted completely.
Notes
- Make sure to stir halfway through cooking to avoid sticking and ensure even pasta cooking.
- Feel free to add optional ingredients like sliced black olives or mushrooms for extra flavor and texture.
- If you prefer a spicier dish, add crushed red pepper flakes or swap turkey pepperoni with regular pepperoni.
- Use low-sodium broth and sauces to better control the sodium content.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Crockpot, pizza pasta, slow cooker pasta, easy dinner, ground beef pasta, comfort food, one-pot meal
