Crockpot Pizza Pasta with Ground Beef, Vegetables, and Cheese Recipe
A delicious and hearty Crockpot Pizza Pasta recipe that combines ground beef, rotini pasta, marinara sauce, and a blend of cheeses and pepperoni. This easy, one-pot meal is perfect for busy days and delivers all the classic pizza flavors in a creamy pasta dish cooked gently in a slow cooker.
- 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
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Proteins
- 1 pound lean ground beef (93% lean)
- 20 slices turkey pepperoni
Pasta and Sauce
- 12 ounces uncooked rotini pasta
- 24 ounces marinara sauce
- 1 cup low-sodium beef broth
Vegetables and Seasonings
- 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
Cheeses
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Optional
- 1/2 cup sliced black olives or mushrooms (optional)
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef, seasoning it with garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until browned and fully cooked. Drain the excess fat and set the beef aside.
- Combine Ingredients in Crockpot: In a 6-quart crockpot, add the cooked ground beef, marinara sauce, low-sodium beef broth, chopped yellow onion, diced green bell pepper, and Italian seasoning. Stir to mix the ingredients evenly.
- Add the Pasta and Pepperoni: Stir in the uncooked rotini pasta until it is thoroughly coated with the sauce mixture. Spread half of the turkey pepperoni slices over the pasta mixture.
- Cook on Low: Cover the crockpot and cook on low heat for 3 to 4 hours. About halfway through cooking, stir the mixture to ensure even cooking and check the pasta for doneness.
- Add Cheese and Remaining Pepperoni: Once the pasta is tender, sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese on top, then add the remaining pepperoni slices. Cover and cook for another 15 to 20 minutes until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, omit the ground beef and turkey pepperoni and add extra vegetables like mushrooms or olives.
- Ensure the crockpot is at least 6-quart capacity to prevent overflow during cooking.
- Stir halfway through cooking to prevent pasta from sticking and ensure even cooking.
- Using lean ground beef reduces fat content and helps keep the dish healthier.
- If you prefer a spicier flavor, add crushed red pepper flakes along with Italian seasoning.
Keywords: crockpot pizza pasta, slow cooker pasta, pizza pasta recipe, easy crockpot meals, ground beef pasta, cheese pepperoni pasta
