Crockpot Pizza Pasta (Printable Version)
Hearty pasta with classic pizza flavors, melted cheese, and Italian sausage all cooked in a slow cooker for an easy family dinner.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 1 lb Italian sausage or ground beef
02 - 20 slices pepperoni
→ Vegetables
03 - 1 medium onion, diced
04 - 1 green bell pepper, diced
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
→ Pantry
06 - 12 oz uncooked rotini or penne pasta
07 - 1 (24 oz) jar marinara or pizza sauce
08 - 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
→ Dairy
09 - 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
10 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
→ Spices & Seasonings
11 - 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
12 - 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
13 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
# How to Make It:
01 - In a skillet over medium heat, cook the Italian sausage or ground beef until browned. Drain excess fat.
02 - Add the diced onion, bell pepper, and garlic to the skillet. Sauté 3-4 minutes until softened.
03 - Lightly grease the inside of your slow cooker.
04 - Add the cooked meat and vegetables to the crockpot. Stir in uncooked pasta, marinara sauce, diced tomatoes with juices, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes if using, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
05 - Top with half the shredded mozzarella, then arrange pepperoni slices over the cheese.
06 - Cover and cook on LOW for 3.5 to 4 hours, or until pasta is tender. Check at 3 hours to avoid overcooking.
07 - In the last 15 minutes, sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Re-cover and let the cheese melt.
08 - Serve hot, garnished with extra Parmesan or fresh basil if desired.
# Expert Insights:
01 -
- You get all the comfort of pizza night without standing over a hot stove or waiting for delivery
- The pasta absorbs all those classic pizza flavors as it slow cooks, creating something even more satisfying than the original
02 -
- Check the pasta at 3 hours even if the recipe says longer, because every slow cooker runs differently and overcooked pasta cannot be saved
- The dish continues cooking after you turn it off, so remove the insert from the heating element immediately once the pasta is tender
03 -
- Spray the inside of your slow cooker with nonstick spray before adding anything, otherwise the cheese creates a stubborn crust on the bottom
- Reserve a handful of pepperoni to arrange on top during the last 15 minutes so they stay crisp and pretty