Description

This hearty and delicious Pizza Pasta combines the comforting flavors of pizza with the satisfying texture of pasta in a convenient slow cooker meal. Ground beef is browned and mixed with marinara sauce, beef broth, fresh vegetables, and Italian seasoning, then slow-cooked with rotini pasta until tender. Topped with a blend of mozzarella and cheddar cheeses and turkey pepperoni slices, this dish is perfect for a family-friendly dinner that’s both flavorful and easy to prepare.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Protein

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

Vegetables

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

Pantry Items

12 ounces uncooked rotini pasta
24 ounces marinara sauce
1 cup low-sodium beef broth
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Dairy

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions

Brown the Ground Beef: In a skillet over medium-high heat, brown the lean ground beef. Season it with garlic powder, salt, and black pepper as it cooks. Once fully browned, drain the excess fat and set the meat aside.
Combine Ingredients in Crockpot: In a 6-quart slow cooker, add the cooked ground beef, marinara sauce, low-sodium beef broth, finely chopped yellow onion, diced green bell pepper, and Italian seasoning. Stir well to combine all the ingredients evenly.
Add Pasta and Pepperoni: Stir in the uncooked rotini pasta until it is thoroughly coated with the sauce mixture. Then, layer half of the turkey pepperoni slices on top of the mixture.
Cook on Low: Cover the crockpot and cook on the low setting for 3 to 4 hours. Be sure to stir halfway through the cooking time to prevent sticking and to check the pasta for doneness.
Add Cheese and Remaining Pepperoni: Once the pasta is tender, sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheeses evenly over the top. Place the remaining turkey pepperoni slices on the cheese layer. Cover again and cook for an additional 15 to 20 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and is bubbly.

Notes

For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef and pepperoni with plant-based alternatives or extra vegetables.
Adding optional black olives or mushrooms adds an earthy flavor and more texture.
Be sure to stir halfway through cooking to check pasta texture and prevent sticking.
Use low-sodium broth and reduced-sodium marinara sauce to control salt content.
If your slow cooker runs hot, start checking pasta doneness earlier to avoid overcooking.

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

Keywords: pizza pasta, slow cooker pasta, easy dinner, crockpot recipe, ground beef pasta, cheesy pasta bake, family meal