Description
This Crock Pot Pizza Pasta is a deliciously easy, hands-off meal combining rotini pasta, Italian sausage, vegetables, plenty of cheese, and classic Italian flavors cooked perfectly in a slow cooker. It’s a cozy, cheesy one-pot dish that blends the essence of pizza with comforting pasta, making it an ideal family-friendly dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 3 cups dry rotini pasta
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 pound sweet mild Italian sausage
- 1 cup green pepper, seeded and sliced into strips
- 4 ounces fresh sliced button mushrooms
- ½ cup diced sweet yellow onion
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
Seasoning and Sauces
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 24 ounce jarred spaghetti sauce
- ¼ cup water
Cheese and Toppings
- 16 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese (4 cups), divided: 1 ½ cups for 1st layer, 1 ½ cups for 2nd layer, and 1 cup for topping
- 6 ounce package sliced pepperoni
- 2 teaspoons chopped fresh parsley (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients: Begin by slicing the green pepper into strips, dicing the sweet yellow onion, slicing the button mushrooms, and mincing the garlic. Remove the casing from the Italian sausage and crumble it for easier cooking.
- Sauté the Sausage and Vegetables: In a skillet over medium heat, add the extra virgin olive oil. Cook the Italian sausage until browned and fully cooked, breaking it into crumbles. Then add the green pepper, mushrooms, onion, and garlic; sauté until vegetables are tender and aromatic, about 5 minutes. Stir in the Italian seasoning to disperse the flavors.
- Combine in Crock Pot: Transfer the cooked sausage and vegetable mixture into your crock pot. Add dry rotini pasta, jarred spaghetti sauce, and ¼ cup water. Stir everything well to combine all components evenly.
- Layer the Cheese and Pepperoni: Sprinkle 1 ½ cups of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the pasta mixture for the first layer. Add half of the sliced pepperoni on top. Then, add another layer by sprinkling 1 ½ cups of mozzarella and the remaining pepperoni. Finally, top with the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella.
- Cook the Pasta: Cover and cook on low heat for 3 to 4 hours or on high for 1.5 to 2 hours. The pasta should be tender and fully cooked, and the cheese melted and bubbly when done.
- Garnish and Serve: Before serving, sprinkle chopped fresh parsley on top for a fresh burst of color and flavor. Serve hot straight from the crock pot for a comforting meal.
Notes
- You can substitute the sweet mild Italian sausage with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- If you prefer a spicier dish, use hot Italian sausage instead.
- Adding a pinch of red pepper flakes along with the Italian seasoning enhances flavor with a little heat.
- Ensure the crock pot is large enough to handle all ingredients comfortably to avoid overflow.
- This dish can be prepared the night before; just layer everything and refrigerate, then cook the next day.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat nicely in the microwave or oven.
Keywords: Crock Pot, Pizza Pasta, Slow Cooker Dinner, Rotini Pasta, Italian Sausage, Mozzarella, Easy Crock Pot Recipe, One-Pot Meal