Description
Crockpot Pizza Pasta is a slow-cooked dish that combines the flavors of pizza with pasta, creating a cheesy and hearty meal that’s perfect for families and gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb rigatoni or penne pasta
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 lb Italian sausage (sweet or spicy)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 1/2 ounce pepperoni, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 jars (14 ounce each) pizza sauce
- 16 ounce shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Spray the interior of a 6-quart or larger slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray.
- Cook the pasta according to the package directions, stopping about 1-2 minutes before it reaches the al dente stage. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef and Italian sausage, breaking them into crumbles as they brown. Add the diced onion and sauté until softened.
- Add the chopped pepperoni and minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for an additional 5 minutes. Drain any excess grease from the pan.
- Transfer the meat mixture to a large bowl and stir in the pizza sauce and Italian seasoning until well combined. Add the partially cooked pasta and toss until evenly coated.
- Layer half of the pasta mixture into the prepared slow cooker and spread it out evenly. Top with half of the shredded mozzarella cheese. Repeat the layers, ending with the remaining cheese on top.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 3-4 hours, until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and the pasta is heated through.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
You can prepare ingredients the night before for convenience. Chop vegetables, measure seasonings, and brown meats ahead of time. Store in the refrigerator and layer in the slow cooker in the morning.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 80mg