Crockpot Pizza Pasta (Printable Version)

Comforting slow cooker pasta with sausage, pepperoni, and cheese

# What You 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 - Cook the Italian sausage or ground beef in a skillet over medium heat until browned. Drain excess fat and set aside.
02 - Add diced onion, bell pepper, and garlic to the skillet. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
03 - Lightly grease the interior of your slow cooker with cooking spray or a small amount of oil.
04 - Transfer the cooked meat and vegetables to the slow cooker. Add uncooked pasta, marinara sauce, diced tomatoes with juices, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes if using, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly to combine.
05 - Sprinkle half the shredded mozzarella over the pasta mixture. Arrange pepperoni slices evenly across the cheese layer.
06 - Cover and cook on LOW setting for 3.5 to 4 hours, or until pasta is tender. Check at the 3-hour mark to prevent overcooking.
07 - During the final 15 minutes of cooking, sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese over the top. Re-cover and allow cheese to melt completely.
08 - Serve hot while cheese is melted and bubbly. Garnish with additional Parmesan or fresh basil leaves if desired.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Everything you love about pizza transforms into a hearty, fork-friendly meal that cooks itself while you handle life
  • The cheese melts into every layer, creating those irresistible crispy edges everyone fights over
02 -
  • Overcooked pasta in a slow cooker turns to mush, so set that timer to check at 3 hours exactly
  • The pasta absorbs liquid as it cooks, so don't be tempted to add more liquid even if it looks thick at first
03 -
  • If your pasta still seems crunchy at the 3-hour check, add 1/4 cup of water and continue cooking in 15-minute increments
  • Use turkey sausage or plant-based crumbles for a lighter version that still delivers big flavor

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