Description

This Crockpot Pizza Pasta is a delicious and easy one-pot meal that combines the flavors of pizza with the convenience of slow cooking. Ground beef, rotini pasta, marinara sauce, and a blend of cheeses come together in a savory tomato base, enhanced with Italian seasoning and topped with turkey pepperoni for a comforting dish perfect for weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat

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

Pasta & Sauces

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

Vegetables

1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
1 green bell pepper, diced
Optional: 1/2 cup sliced black olives or mushrooms

Seasonings & Spices

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

Instructions

Brown the Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef with garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Once cooked through, drain 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 onion, diced green bell pepper, and Italian seasoning. Stir the mixture well to combine all flavors.
Add Pasta and Pepperoni: Stir in the uncooked rotini pasta until all pasta is coated evenly with the sauce mixture. Then, place half of the turkey pepperoni slices evenly over the top.
Cook Slowly: Cover the crockpot and cook on the low setting for 3 to 4 hours. About halfway through cooking, give the mixture a gentle stir and check the pasta for doneness to ensure it’s cooked through but not mushy.
Add Cheese and Remaining Pepperoni: Once the pasta is fully cooked, sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese evenly on top. Add the remaining pepperoni slices on the cheese layer.
Melt the Cheese: Cover the crockpot again and cook for an additional 15 to 20 minutes on low, allowing the cheese to melt fully and the flavors to meld beautifully before serving.

Notes

You can add 1/2 cup sliced black olives or mushrooms for extra flavor and texture.
Use low-sodium beef broth and season cautiously to control salt content.
Make sure to stir halfway through cooking to prevent pasta from sticking.
If you prefer a spicier kick, add crushed red pepper flakes alongside Italian seasoning.
Ensure the crockpot is at least 6-quart capacity to avoid overflow during cooking.

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

Keywords: Crockpot pizza pasta, slow cooker pasta, easy dinner, ground beef pasta, rotini pasta recipe, cheese pasta bake, turkey pepperoni pasta