Crockpot Pizza Pasta with Ground Beef, Pepperoni, and Three Cheese Recipe
This Crockpot Pizza Pasta is a comforting and easy one-pot meal combining juicy ground beef, pasta, marinara sauce, and classic pizza toppings, all slow-cooked to perfection in a crockpot. It’s a flavorful and effortless dinner option that delivers cheesy, savory goodness with minimal prep and maximum taste.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American-Italian
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: 1/2 cup sliced black olives or mushrooms
Instructions
- Brown the ground beef: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until it’s browned and no longer pink. Season with garlic powder, salt, and pepper while cooking. Drain excess fat and set 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 together until well combined.
- Add pasta and pepperoni: Stir in the uncooked rotini pasta to coat it evenly with the sauce mixture. Then, layer half of the turkey pepperoni slices on top.
- Cook on low: Cover the crockpot and cook on low heat for 3 to 4 hours. Stir the mixture halfway through cooking and check the pasta for doneness to ensure it’s tender.
- Add cheese and remaining pepperoni: Once the pasta is cooked, sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Add the remaining turkey pepperoni slices on top of the cheese layer.
- Melt the cheese: Cover the crockpot again and cook for an additional 15–20 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, omit the ground beef and pepperoni and add extra vegetables such as mushrooms, zucchini, or olives.
- Check the pasta around the 3-hour mark to avoid overcooking and adjust cooking time as needed since crockpot temperatures can vary.
- If you prefer a spicier dish, add crushed red pepper flakes or use spicy turkey pepperoni.
- You can substitute beef broth with vegetable broth for a milder flavor or to keep it dairy-friendly.
- Stir halfway through cooking gently to prevent pasta from sticking but avoid over-stirring, which can break pasta.
Keywords: crockpot pizza pasta, slow cooker pasta, easy crockpot meals, cheesy pasta recipe, ground beef pasta, comfort food
