Description
This Crock Pot Pizza Pasta is a delicious and easy one-pot meal that combines rotini pasta with Italian sausage, vegetables, spaghetti sauce, and plenty of cheese. Slow-cooked to perfection in a crock pot, it layers flavors beautifully for a comforting, hands-off dinner that’s perfect for busy days or family gatherings.
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 extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
Seasoning and Sauce
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 24 ounce jarred spaghetti sauce
- ¼ cup water
Cheese and Toppings
- 16 ounce shredded mozzarella cheese (4 cups), divided: 1 ½ cups for first layer, 1 ½ cups for second layer, and 1 cup for topping
- 6 ounce package sliced pepperoni
- 2 teaspoons chopped fresh parsley (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the sausage and vegetables: In a skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil and brown the sweet mild Italian sausage until fully cooked, breaking it up as it cooks. Then add the diced sweet yellow onion, sliced green peppers, button mushrooms, and minced garlic. Sauté together until the vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes.
- Layer ingredients in the crock pot: In the crock pot, begin by adding 1 ½ cups of shredded mozzarella cheese as the first layer. Add half of the dry rotini pasta on top of the cheese.
- Add sausage mixture and sauce: Spread half of the cooked sausage and vegetable mixture evenly over the pasta. Then pour half of the 24-ounce jar of spaghetti sauce over the mixture and add a quarter cup of water to help cook the pasta evenly.
- Repeat layers: Add another 1 ½ cups of shredded mozzarella cheese on top, followed by the remaining dry pasta. Layer the rest of the cooked sausage and vegetables, cover with the remaining spaghetti sauce, and add the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese on top.
- Add pepperoni and cook: Place sliced pepperoni evenly over the top layer of cheese. Cover the crock pot with its lid and cook on low for approximately 3 to 4 hours, or until the pasta is tender and the flavors are melded together.
- Garnish and serve: Once cooked, sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley if desired. Stir gently before serving to combine, or serve layered as is.
Notes
- For best results, use a crock pot or slow cooker between 6 to 7 quarts capacity.
- If you prefer a spicier dish, substitute spicy Italian sausage for the sweet variety.
- Make sure to check the pasta doneness near the 3-hour mark to avoid overcooking.
- You can swap rotini with other pasta shapes like penne or rigatoni if desired.
- This recipe can be prepared a day ahead; refrigerate and reheat gently before serving.
Keywords: Crock Pot, Pizza Pasta, Slow Cooker, Italian Sausage, Rotini, One Pot Meal, Easy Dinner