This Pizza Pasta is the perfect choice for a delicious pizza night that will become a family favorite and can be on your dinner plate in just 30 minutes. Even though it’s a one pot meal, you wont be missing out because it combines all the great flavors of your favorite pizza. By making this quick and convenient one pot pizza pasta recipe you will also save time on the cleanup!
Easy Pizza Pasta
At my house, pizza is always a great idea and this hearty pasta will become a weekly meal for your entire family. Even though it’s a one pot meal, you get the best parts of the pizza from the savory sauce, to whatever you decide to throw in (like I said, this is fully customizable), and who can forget the gooey cheese.
This pizza pasta can easily be made to satisfy the pickiest eaters or even made vegetarian by adding in extra veggies or plant based meats.
Why You Will Love This Recipe:
- Easily Customizable
- Handful of Ingredients
- One Pot- Easy Cleanup
- Vegetarian Option
- Quick and Easy
What’s In One Pot Pizza:
Ingredients and Substitutions:
- Italian Sausage: I use spicy italian sausage, however, any mild sausage can also be used.
- Vegetables: red bell peppers, green peppers, onions, garlic, black olives
- Pepperoni: pepperoni slices, mini pepperonis, turkey pepperoni all work
- Pasta Sauce: marinara, meat or sausage flavor sauce works best. You can make your own homemade sauce or use store bought sauce
- Pasta: I used penne pasta, but rotini, whole wheat, or any al dente pasta will work
- Seasonings: dried oregano, italian seasoning, minced garlic, salt and pepper
- Cheese: the recipe calls for mozzarella cheese but feel free to add in fresh parmesan cheese
How To Make One Pot Pizza Pasta
Take a look at the recipe card for exact steps and measurements:
- Gather all your ingredients because this one pot pasta dish cooks fast!
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, add olive oil(optional). Brown the sausage, crumbling it as it cooks.
- Add the onions and bell peppers and cook for about 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Throw in the sliced pepperoni and garlic and sauté for about a minute or until it becomes fragrant.
- Add the pasta sauce. I like marinara, beef or sausage flavors best. Use your favorite. The results will be amazing!
- Add seasonings and water. Season with salt and pepper to taste (remember you will be adding cheese so don’t over do it).
- Bring pot to a boil. Add the dried pasta and stir.
- Lower the heat, cover and simmer for 12 to 15 minutes.
- Stir a few times during the cooking process to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
- When the pasta is cooked, remove from the heat and stir in the olives.
- Stir in the mozzarella cheese and season to taste.
- Serve garnished with pepperoni slices and fresh basil or parsley.
Could I Make This Into A Pasta Bake or Pasta Casserole?
Absolutely, pizza pasta bake or casserole is always a good idea! Spray the dish with nonstick cooking spray, Pour the pasta into a casserole dish, top it with plenty of mozzarella cheese and bake it (or broil it) until the cheese melts and gets golden brown and bubbly!
Can you use pizza sauce for pasta?
Of course! Any pizza sauce, homemade sauce, tomato sauce or spaghetti sauce will work for this pizza pasta. Like we said this is an easy dinner recipe and can be customized to you.
Can I Make This Simple Pasta Recipe Ahead?
Yes! This pasta dish can be made a day ahead of time. When I make pizza pasta ahead, I like to store it in the refrigerator in an oven safe baking dish. I usually add additional cheese on top for extra yumminess. To reheat, I bake the casserole covered in a 350 degree oven for about 35 – 45 minutes or until heated through. I like to uncover the baking casserole for the last 10 minutes so the top gets a bit golden and melty.
What pasta can I use?
Whatever you have on hand! Like I said, this is a great recipe, especially for picky eaters, because it can be customized to make it your own. For best results, follow package directions for uncooked pasta.
Here are a few ideas to make this one pot pasta meal your own:
- Ground Beef
- Chicken
- Sliced Mushrooms
- Crispy Bacon
- Ham
- Artichoke Hearts
- Tomatoes
- Kalamata Olives, Green Bell Peppers, Red Onions and Feta Cheese
Chef’s Tips
How To Customize This Easy Pizza Pasta:
- Ground Beef
- Chicken
- Sliced Mushrooms
- Crispy Bacon
- Ham
- Artichoke Hearts
- Tomatoes
- Kalamata Olives, Green Bell Peppers, Red Onion, Feta cheese
- use any of your favorite pizza toppings
Serve with some garlic bread on the side!
Make Ahead, Storing, and Freezing:
Make ahead: This One pot pasta recipe can be made a day ahead and eaten the next day
Storing: When I make pizza pasta ahead, I like to store it in the refrigerator in an oven safe baking dish.
You can store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
Freezing: You can freeze this pizza pasta casserole up to two months, just thaw it out in the refrigerator overnight.
One Pot Pizza Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon Olive oil (optional)
- 1 pound Spicy Italian Sausage (bulk or removed from its casings)
- 1/4 cup diced red bell pepper
- 1/4 cup diced green bell pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped onions
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 4 ounces sliced pepperoni (save a few pieces whole to use as garnish)
- 24 ounces jar pasta sauce (marinara, meat or sausage flavor works best)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 3 cups water
- 1 pound dry uncooked short pasta (like rotini or penne)
- Salt and ground black pepper to taste
- 1 1/2 cups mozzarella, shredded
- 1/4 cup sliced black olives
- Chopped fresh parsley or basil for garnish
Instructions
- Heat a Dutch oven or large pot over medium high heat. Add the oil (if needed) and when heated add the sausage and brown, crumbling the sausage as it cooks for about 4 minutes or until cooked through. Drain any extra fat, if needed.
- Add the red and green bell peppers and onions and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently. Add the garlic and pepperoni and cook for an extra minute.
- Stir in the pasta sauce, Italian seasoning and oregano. Add the water and season lightly with salt and ground black pepper. Stir and bring to a boil.
- When the water is boiling, add the pasta, stir and reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for about 12 to 15 minutes or until the pasta is tender, stirring a few times through the cooking process.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the mozzarella cheese. Add the olives and mix to combine. Taste and season with salt and ground black pepper, if needed.
- Serve immediately garnished with fresh parsley or basil (optional)
Equipment
- 1 Pot/Dutch oven
Nutrition
TAKE A LOOK AT THESE OTHER EASY PASTA RECIPES
- Chicken Pesto Pasta
- Lemon Garlic Parmesan Shrimp Pasta
- Pesto Pasta Salad
- Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad
- Shrimp Alfredo Recipe
- Creamy Gorgonzola Pasta with Steak
This post was published in 2018 and updated in 2023. The recipe stayed the same.
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