How This One-Pot Pizza Pasta Became My Weeknight Hero
The first time I made One-Pot Pizza Pasta, I was staring at a pantry full of pasta, a jar of tomato sauce, and leftover pizza toppings from the night before. I didn’t feel like making a full pizza, but I wanted those same bold, cheesy flavors pepperoni, melty cheese, herby sauce without the mess. So, I tossed everything into one pot, and in less than 30 minutes, dinner magic happened.
Now this one pot pasta is a regular in my kitchen. It tastes like a comforting slice of pizza in every bite, but with the cozy creaminess of pasta. The best part? Only one pot to clean. No juggling pans, no oven preheating just pure, saucy comfort food made fast.
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One-Pot Pizza Pasta
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This One-Pot Pizza Pasta combines all your favorite pizza flavors—melty cheese, pepperoni, and herby tomato sauce into a quick, comforting pasta dish made in just one pot.
Ingredients
1 lb penne or rotini pasta
1 tbsp olive oil
1 lb ground beef
2 cups marinara or pizza sauce
3 cups chicken broth
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1 cup shredded mozzarella
¼ cup grated parmesan
20–25 slices pepperoni
Optional Add-ins:
Sliced olives
Bell peppers
Mushrooms
Bacon bits
Fresh basil
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot and brown the ground beef. Drain excess fat.
- Add marinara sauce, chicken broth, and seasoning. Stir to combine.
- Stir in dry pasta and cook covered for 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add half the mozzarella and all the parmesan. Stir until melted.
- Top with remaining cheese and pepperoni. Cover and heat 2–3 minutes until cheese melts.
- Garnish with fresh herbs and serve hot.
Notes
For a vegetarian version, skip the meat and add roasted vegetables. Leftovers reheat perfectly for next-day lunches.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: one pot
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 960
- Fat: 25
- Saturated Fat: 9
- Unsaturated Fat: 13
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 32
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Why You’ll Love This One
If you love pizza (and really, who doesn’t?) and crave easy pasta recipes, this pizza pasta is about to become your go-to. Here’s why it works every single time:
- One pot, zero stress. Everything cooks together for less cleanup and maximum flavor.
- Customizable toppings. Just like your favorite pizza, you can mix and match ingredients.
- Perfect for families. Kids love the cheesy, pepperoni-loaded flavor, and adults love how easy it is.
- Quick and hearty. Ready in about 25 minutes with ingredients you probably already have.
- Great for leftovers. It reheats beautifully, making it ideal for next-day lunches.
If you enjoy recipes that blend simplicity and bold flavor, you’ll also love my BBQ Chicken Flatbread another weeknight favorite that tastes like a slice of pizza in disguise.
What Goes Into My Pizza Pasta Pot
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound penne or rotini pasta: Any short pasta that holds sauce well works here.
- 1 tablespoon olive oil: Helps brown the meat and prevents sticking.
- 1 pound ground beef: For rich, meaty flavor. You can also use sausage or go vegetarian.
- 2 cups marinara or pizza sauce: The heart of the dish use your favorite brand or homemade sauce.
- 3 cups chicken broth (or water): This cooks the pasta directly in the pot, soaking up all that flavor.
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning: A little oregano and basil go a long way.
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded: Melts beautifully into that gooey, pizza-like texture.
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese: Adds depth and a salty finish.
- 20–25 slices of pepperoni: The star of the show for that classic pizza flavor.
Optional Toppings and Add-ins
Here’s where it gets fun just like choosing your favorite pizza toppings:
- Sliced black olives for a salty bite
- Diced bell peppers for sweetness and color
- Sautéed mushrooms for a hearty, earthy flavor
- Crumbled cooked bacon for smoky richness
- Fresh basil or parsley for a bright finish
If you want to skip the meat entirely, this dish also makes one of my favorite vegetarian recipes just load up on veggies and extra cheese for a delicious plant-based twist.
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Let Me Walk You Through It
Step 1: Start with the base
I heat olive oil in a large pot or deep skillet over medium heat. Once hot, I add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Then I drain off any excess fat.
Step 2: Add the sauce and liquids
Next, I pour in the marinara sauce and chicken broth, stirring to combine. The mixture should be saucy but not watery. I season it with Italian herbs, salt, and pepper.
Step 3: Add the pasta
I stir in the dry pasta directly into the pot no need to pre-boil. The pasta cooks right in the sauce, soaking up all that tomato flavor. I bring it to a simmer, then lower the heat, cover, and cook for 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
Step 4: Melt in the cheese
When the pasta is tender and the sauce thickened, I stir in half the mozzarella and all the parmesan until melty and creamy. The texture becomes perfectly saucy and comforting.
Step 5: Finish with pepperoni
Finally, I scatter the remaining mozzarella over the top and layer the pepperoni slices like a pizza. I cover the pot for another 2–3 minutes, just until the cheese melts and the pepperoni edges curl slightly.
The smell is pure pizza night savory, cheesy, and irresistible.
Step 6: Serve and enjoy
I spoon it into bowls, top with a sprinkle of fresh herbs, and maybe a few extra pepperoni slices for good measure. It’s hearty, flavorful, and always a hit with both kids and adults.
If you’re in the mood for a smoky companion dish, my Easy Oven Baked Chipotle BBQ Ribs pair perfectly with this pasta for a cozy weekend feast.
My Favorite Ways to Mix It Up
This dish is endlessly flexible, just like pizza itself. Here are a few of my go-to variations:
- Supreme Pizza Pasta: Add sausage, bell peppers, mushrooms, and black olives.
- Vegetarian Style: Skip the meat and load up on roasted veggies or spinach.
- White Pizza Pasta: Use Alfredo sauce instead of marinara for a creamy twist.
- Spicy Pepperoni Pasta: Stir in red pepper flakes or a drizzle of hot honey.
- Pizza Roll Style: After cooking, spoon the pasta into small baking dishes, top with cheese, and broil for a bubbly, golden finish.
- Kid-Friendly Version: Keep it simple with just pasta, sauce, cheese, and mini pepperoni it’s a guaranteed hit.
You can even pair this with my Southwest Baked Chicken Tenderloins for a family-style dinner spread that everyone will love.
My Final Bite of Advice
This One-Pot Pizza Pasta has become one of those “save-the-day” dinners in my home. It’s everything I love about pizza gooey cheese, tangy sauce, hearty toppings combined with the comfort of pasta. The fact that it all happens in a single pot makes it even better.
It’s the kind of meal that brings everyone to the table fast. It’s messy, saucy, cozy, and perfectly satisfying after a long day. Whether you’re craving pizza but don’t feel like making dough, or you just need another easy pasta recipe in your weeknight lineup, this one delivers every time.
So grab your favorite toppings, stir them into one pot, and let the pizza magic happen. Once you make it, I promise it’ll be a regular in your kitchen, too.
