One Pot Pizza Pasta Recipe

Zippy One Pot Pizza Pasta Recipe: A Family-Favorite Fusion

Weeknight dinners demand quick, delicious solutions that satisfy everyone at the table.

This hearty one pot pizza pasta combines the best of two comfort food worlds in a single skillet.

Melted cheese, zesty marinara, and savory pepperoni mingle effortlessly with perfectly cooked pasta.

Each bite delivers a nostalgic taste that reminds you of lazy pizza nights and cozy family meals.

The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and minimal cleanup.

Streamlined cooking meets maximum flavor, making this dish a go-to for busy home cooks.

Prepare to fall in love with a meal that brings together pizza and pasta in delightful harmony.

Why You’ll Love One Pot Pizza Pasta Night

  • Enjoy a hassle-free meal that combines pizza and pasta in one delicious skillet, eliminating multiple pots and pans for easy cleanup.
  • Swap ingredients or add your favorite pizza toppings to make this dish uniquely yours, perfect for picky eaters or creative cooks.
  • Whip up a satisfying meal in under 30 minutes that will please both kids and adults, making dinnertime a breeze.
  • Blend the beloved flavors of pizza and pasta into a single, hearty dish that brings everyone together around the table.

Pizza Pasta Ingredient Essentials

Protein Base:
  • Italian Sausage: A flavorful meat that adds richness and depth to the one-pot pasta dish.
  • Pepperoni: A classic pizza topping that brings spicy and savory notes to the recipe.
Pasta and Sauce:
  • Pasta: The main carbohydrate component that creates the hearty base of the dish.
  • Tomato Sauce: A smooth sauce that provides a classic pizza-like flavor and moisture to the pasta.
  • Water: Helps to cook the pasta and create the right consistency for the dish.
Seasonings and Cheese:
  • Oregano, Basil, Garlic Powder: Herbs and spices that bring traditional pizza flavors to the pasta.
  • Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the overall taste of the dish.
  • Mozzarella Cheese: A melty cheese that adds creamy texture and classic pizza-style topping.
  • Olive Oil: Used to cook the sausage and provide a base for the initial cooking process.
Garnish:
  • Parsley: An optional fresh herb that can add a bright finishing touch to the dish.

Tools to Make One Pot Pizza Pasta

  • Large oven-proof skillet: Essential for cooking and finishing the entire dish directly in the pan.
  • Wooden spoon or spatula: Perfect for stirring and breaking up sausage while cooking.
  • Measuring cups: Helps accurately measure water, sauce, and pepperoni.
  • Measuring spoons: Precise for adding oregano, basil, and garlic powder.
  • Sharp knife: Useful for chopping parsley as a garnish.
  • Cooking tongs: Great for handling pepperoni and moving ingredients around the skillet.

Cooking One Pot Pizza Pasta: Step-by-Step

Step 1: Fire Up the Broiler

Turn your oven’s broiler to high, preparing it for the final cheesy transformation of your pizza pasta.

Step 2: Brown the Meaty Base

Heat olive oil in a large oven-proof skillet over medium-high heat.

Toss in Italian sausage and cook until it’s beautifully browned and crumbled.

Drain any excess fat, then mix in pepperoni slices, warming them through quickly.

Step 3: Create the Saucy Pasta Blend

Add these ingredients to the skillet:
  • Tomato sauce
  • Oregano
  • Basil
  • Garlic powder
  • Pasta
  • Water

Season with salt and pepper to your liking.

Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then cover and reduce heat.

Let it simmer gently until the pasta is perfectly tender, about 12-14 minutes.

Step 4: Cheese and Broil Finale

Remove the skillet from heat.

Sprinkle mozzarella cheese generously over the top and scatter remaining pepperoni slices.

Slide the skillet under the broiler and cook until the cheese bubbles and turns golden brown, roughly 2 minutes.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Dash some fresh parsley on top if you want extra color and flavor.

Serve this delicious one-pot wonder immediately while it’s hot and melty.

Pro Tips for Cheesy, Flavor-Packed Pizza Pasta

  • Remove extra grease from sausage to keep the dish light and prevent oily texture.
  • Select short pasta like penne or rotini that absorbs sauce well and prevents mushy results.
  • Use freshly shredded mozzarella for smoother, more even melting compared to pre-packaged cheese.
  • Stay near the oven during the 2-minute broiling to prevent burning and achieve perfect golden-brown topping.
  • Add red pepper flakes or swap mild Italian sausage for spicy version to adjust recipe's heat intensity.

One Pot Pizza Pasta: Fun Variations

  • Vegetarian Pasta Delight: Replace Italian sausage with plant-based crumbles or diced mushrooms for a meat-free version that's packed with flavor.
  • Gluten-Free Comfort: Swap regular pasta with gluten-free pasta varieties like brown rice or chickpea pasta to accommodate gluten sensitivities.
  • Spicy Lover's Edition: Add red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños to increase heat level and give the dish an extra kick of spiciness.
  • Mediterranean Inspired: Substitute pepperoni with kalamata olives, crumbled feta cheese, and add fresh spinach for a Mediterranean-style pizza pasta.

Ways to Serve Up One Pot Pizza Pasta

  • Pizza Party Platter: Create a fun, shareable spread by slicing the one-pot dish into generous portions and arranging on a large wooden board with extra pepperoni, fresh basil leaves, and crushed red pepper flakes.
  • Salad Sidekick: Pair this hearty pasta with a crisp mixed green salad drizzled with Italian vinaigrette to balance the rich, cheesy flavors and add a fresh crunch to the meal.
  • Garlic Bread Companion: Serve alongside warm, buttery garlic bread or toasted Italian bread slices to soak up the delicious sauce and complement the pasta's robust taste.
  • Wine Night Upgrade: Enhance the dining experience by selecting a medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or Sangiovese that perfectly matches the sausage and pepperoni's bold flavors.

Storage and Reheating for Pizza Pasta Leftovers

  • Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days, keeping the pasta moist and preventing it from drying out.
  • Transfer cooled pasta to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn, and store for up to 2 months.
  • Place pasta in a microwave-safe dish, sprinkle a few drops of water to maintain moisture, cover loosely, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until thoroughly warmed.
  • Warm pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or extra tomato sauce to prevent sticking and restore original creamy texture.

FAQs

  • Can I use a different type of pasta?

Yes, you can substitute the pasta with similar shapes like penne, rigatoni, or ziti. Just ensure cooking times remain consistent with the recipe.

  • Is it possible to make this dish vegetarian?

Absolutely! Replace Italian sausage with plant-based sausage or add extra vegetables like bell peppers and mushrooms for protein and flavor.

  • How spicy is this one-pot pizza pasta?

The dish has mild spiciness from Italian sausage. If you want more heat, add red pepper flakes or use spicy pepperoni during cooking.

  • Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time?

While best served immediately, you can partially cook the pasta and meat mixture, then finish with cheese and broiling just before serving to maintain optimal texture and taste.

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One Pot Pizza Pasta Recipe

One Pot Pizza Pasta Recipe


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4.6 from 29 reviews

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Hearty one pot pizza pasta brings together classic Italian flavors in a single skillet. Melted cheese, zesty marinara, and savory pepperoni create a comforting meal you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale

Proteins and Meat:

  • 8 ounces (226 grams) spicy Italian sausage, casing removed
  • 1/2 cup mini pepperoni
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Pasta and Sauce:

  • 8 ounces (226 grams) rotini pasta
  • 1 15-ounce (425 grams) can tomato sauce
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Herbs and Seasonings:

  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Kosher salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves

Instructions

  1. Warm the broiler setting on the oven to prepare for the final melting stage.
  2. In a large oven-safe skillet, sauté Italian sausage in olive oil over medium-high heat until thoroughly browned and crumbled, approximately 3-5 minutes. Drain any excess grease from the meat.
  3. Incorporate pepperoni into the sausage, heating for roughly 1 minute to release its flavor and oils.
  4. Add tomato sauce, dried herbs, garlic powder, uncooked pasta, and water to the skillet. Season with salt and pepper to enhance the overall taste.
  5. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then reduce heat and cover. Simmer for 12-14 minutes, allowing pasta to cook completely and absorb the liquid.
  6. Remove skillet from heat and generously sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the pasta. Distribute remaining pepperoni slices across the top.
  7. Transfer skillet to preheated broiler and cook for 2 minutes, watching carefully until cheese melts and turns golden brown with slight crispy edges.
  8. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired, and serve immediately while hot and bubbling.

Notes

  • Swap ground Italian sausage with plant-based crumbles for a vegetarian version that maintains robust flavor profile.
  • Use gluten-free pasta to make this dish completely celiac-friendly without compromising texture or taste.
  • Select low-moisture mozzarella for maximum melting potential and golden-brown broiled appearance.
  • Keep skillet handle covered with aluminum foil to prevent potential burning during high-heat broiling process.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
  • Method: Broiling
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 570
  • Sugar: 4 g
  • Sodium: 900 mg
  • Fat: 28 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 55 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 25 g
  • Cholesterol: 70 mg
Clara Thompson

Clara Thompson

Recipe Developer & Food Educator

Expertise

Plant-based and vegetarian recipe development, Nutritional analysis and meal planning, Culinary education and workshop facilitation, Content writing with a focus on healthy living​

Education

Diploma in Culinary Arts, Mt. San Jacinto College, CA
Focus: Comprehensive culinary training with an emphasis on sustainable cooking practices.

Certificate in Nutrition and Healthy Living, Cornell University (Online Program)
Focus: Understanding the principles of nutrition to create balanced and health-conscious recipes.


Clara lives where fresh ideas and fresh ingredients meet. She pairs her culinary know-how with her passion for healthy, planet-friendly cooking.
For Clara, good food should taste great, nourish your body, and feel easy to make. Her recipes highlight whole foods, colorful produce, and a deep respect for seasonal eating.

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