This One-Pot Pizza Pasta is a cozy, comforting dinner that comes together quickly and easily on busy weeknights. With all the classic pizza flavors cooked in a single pot, it takes 35 minutes, making it the perfect no-fuss comfort meal.
Recipe Overview
Time: About 35 minutes from start to finish
Ingredients: Pepperoni, sausage, onion, bell pepper, mozzarella, pasta, tomato paste, broth, garlic, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes.
Ease: Simple and all made in one pot.
Ingredients & Swaps
Meats - I used hot Italian sausage and pepperoni, if you omit one, double up on the other. You can also use ground beef, turkey, or whatever your favorite pizza topping is
Veggies - I used onion and bell peppers. You can also add diced mushrooms (cook them with the onions and peppers) or stir in chopped spinach or sliced olives after the pasta is done cooking.
Tomato Paste - The sauce is made from tomato paste, chicken broth, and spices. It gives the pasta that bold, tomatoey pizza sauce flavor.
Pasta - Short pastas work best for this recipe and the ingredients. I used campanelle in this recipe.
Broth - I used chicken broth, you can use vegetable broth or even water.
Cheese- Low-moisture mozzarella gives this pasta that melty, stretchy, pizzeria-style goodness. A shredded pizza blend also works well. I like 1½ cups for a nice balance of creaminess-2 cups will give you all the cheese pulls (and a little mess), but go with whatever makes your heart happy.
Full ingredient list with quantities in the recipe card below
How to Make Pizza Pasta
Cook Sausage & Vegetables
Brown the sausage with the diced onion and bell pepper in a large pot until the sausage is cooked through and the veggies are soft.
More Flavor
Stir in the pepperoni, garlic, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes, then mix in the tomato paste until everything is well coated.
Add Pasta & Broth
Pour in the broth and pasta, bring to a boil, then simmer covered until the pasta is cooked and most of the liquid is absorbed. Add a splash of water or broth if needed to keep it saucy.
Add Cheese
Stir in mozzarella until melted and creamy, then top with more cheese, red pepper flakes, or Parmesan before serving.
Tips
Cooking Pasta: If your pasta isn't quite done after the 15-17 minute mark, keep it simmering and check on it every couple of minutes. If the sauce starts to look too thick, add about ¼ cup of water or chicken broth to help the pasta cook through.
Variations: Try tossing in mushrooms, olives, or a handful of chopped spinach into the pasta.
Common Questions
I used Barilla's campanelle pasta. Any short pasta like penne or fusilli works. Longer noodles, like spaghetti, can make the meal harder to eat, and larger shapes like rigatoni may take longer to cook through.
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Microwave with a splash of water to make the sauce creamy again.
Yes! The bold, tomatoey sauce is similar to pizza sauce, and the melty mozzarella on top really brings it all together. Add your favorite pizza toppings like pepperoni, olives, or bell peppers to make it your own.
To keep the pasta from turning mushy, cook it just until al dente-firm to the bite-since it will continue cooking a bit once combined with the sauce. Avoid over-stirring or letting it sit in hot sauce too long before serving.
Sides for Pizza Pasta
- Make it Healthy- Balance out the richness with something fresh. A basic green salad with Italian dressing, or a Caesar salad, pairs perfectly.
- More Carbs!- Nothing beats the taste (and smell) of homemade Texas Toast. Only four ingredients and 12 minutes to prep.
- Veggie Side - Saute fresh green beans in butter with minced garlic over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, until tender.
Tried this recipe? Let everyone know how it turned out! Your feedback and tips help others decide if they should make it.
One-Pot Pizza Pasta
Ingredients
- ½ lb. sweet or spicy Italian sausage casings removed
- ½ medium onion diced
- 1 bell pepper diced
- ½ cup pepperoni cut into fourths (about 3oz)
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- 6 oz tomato paste
- ¾ lb. short pasta like campanelle, rotini, or penne
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Grated Parmesan cheese for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- In a large Dutch oven or pot, cook the sausage, onion, and bell pepper over medium heat. Break the sausage into bite-size pieces as it cooks, and sauté until the sausage is browned and the vegetables are soft, about 7-8 minutes.
- Stir in the pepperoni, garlic, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for 1 minute. Then stir in the tomato paste until it coats the meat and vegetables evenly.
- Pour in the chicken broth and add the pasta. Stir well, then increase heat to high and bring to a boil.
- Once boiling, reduce heat to medium, cover, and simmer for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until the pasta is al dente and most of the liquid is absorbed. Tip: If the pasta absorbs all the liquid before it's done, stir in ¼ cup of water or broth and cook for a few more minutes.
- Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup of mozzarella cheese. Taste and season with salt if needed.
- Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup mozzarella on top, along with extra red pepper flakes or Parmesan, if desired. Cover and sit for 1-2 minutes for the cheese to melt, then serve warm.
Notes
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided is an estimate and may vary based on the ingredients used.
More One-Pot Meals
- Sheet Pan Sausage and Potatoes - Just chop, toss, and roast-this sheet pan sausage and potatoes recipe is the kind of low-effort, big-reward meal that saves your weeknight.
- One-Pot Creamy Ground Beef Pasta - This recipe is my go-to when I'm craving a warm, hearty bowl of feel-good food.
- Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos - These Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos are ready in minutes, leaving you more time to relax and savor the deliciousness.
- Crock-Pot Italian Beef Sandwich - Throw beef broth, seasoning, a round roast, and bell peppers in your crock-pot in the morning, and by the time you come home, you have a cozy, savory sandwich ready for dinner!
Jen says
SO good. Going into my bookmarks.