One Pot Pizza Pasta Recipe

Magical One Pot Pizza Pasta Recipe Everyone Will Adore

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

This mouthwatering one pot pizza pasta recipe combines two beloved comfort foods into a single skillet sensation.

Melted cheese, zesty marinara, and savory pepperoni create a symphony of flavors that dance across your taste buds.

Each bite delivers the perfect balance of pasta and pizza-inspired goodness.

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

Home cooks can whip up this crowd-pleasing meal in under 30 minutes, making it a weeknight game-changer.

Prepare to fall in love with a recipe that proves sometimes the best meals come from the most unexpected combinations.

One Pot Pizza Pasta: Simple Pleasures

  • Simplify Weeknight Cooking: One-pot magic transforms complicated pizza flavors into a hassle-free meal that minimizes kitchen cleanup and reduces dish-washing time.
  • Customize Your Comfort: Easily swap sausage for ground beef, turkey, or keep it vegetarian while adjusting spice levels to match your family's taste preferences.
  • Packed with Flavor Punch: Combines classic pizza ingredients like peppers, mushrooms, and seasonings into a hearty pasta dish that delivers robust taste in every single bite.
  • Family-Friendly Crowd-Pleaser: Kids and adults will love this familiar pizza-inspired meal that offers nutrition and excitement without complicated preparation steps.

Pizza Pasta Ingredient Rundown

Meat Base:
  • Sausage: A hearty protein that adds rich flavor and texture to the one-pot dish.
Vegetables:
  • Onion, Green Peppers, Mushrooms: Fresh vegetables that provide depth, crunch, and earthy notes to the pasta.
Seasonings and Flavor Enhancers:
  • Tomato Paste: Concentrated tomato base that creates a deep, robust sauce.
  • Red Pepper Flakes: Adds a spicy kick and warmth to the dish.
  • Oregano: Classic Italian herb that brings authentic pizza-like seasoning.
  • Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that intensifies the overall flavor profile.
  • Salt: Helps balance and enhance the other seasonings.
Liquid and Pasta:
  • Chicken Broth: Provides moisture and additional savory depth to the pasta.
  • Pasta: The main carbohydrate component that absorbs the flavorful sauce.
Cheese Topping:
  • Cheese: Adds creaminess and a rich, melty finish to the one-pot meal.
  • Parmesan Cheese: Optional garnish that brings a salty, tangy complement to the dish.

One Pot Pizza Pasta Cooking Guide

Step 1: Brown Sausage Goodness

Grab your Dutch oven and toss in the sausage over medium heat.

Use your spatula to break down the sausage into delightful bite-sized pieces, letting them sizzle and develop a beautiful golden color.

Step 2: Welcome Veggie Friends

Once the sausage looks perfectly browned, invite the chopped veggies to the party:
  • Diced onions
  • Green peppers
  • Mushrooms

Let these colorful friends dance and soften for about 5 minutes, creating a flavor foundation.

Step 3: Spice Up the Situation

Time to wake up those taste buds!

Stir in these flavor boosters:
  • Tomato paste
  • Red pepper flakes
  • Oregano
  • Garlic

Swirl everything together so the tomato paste lovingly coats the meat and vegetables.

Let the spices release their aromatic magic for about a minute.

Step 4: Pasta Transformation

Drop in the pasta and chicken broth.

Crank up the heat to high and bring to a boil, then dial it down to a gentle simmer.

Cover and let everything mingle for 14-16 minutes.

Occasionally stir and check that the pasta reaches al dente perfection.

If the liquid vanishes too quickly, splash in a tablespoon of broth to create a creamy sauce.

Step 5: Final Flavor Flourish

Pull the pot off the heat and stir in cheese, seasoning with salt to your heart’s content.

For an extra kick, sprinkle some additional red pepper flakes and a snowfall of parmesan cheese on top.

Pasta Tips for Rich, Savory Results

  • Break sausage into small, uniform pieces while cooking to ensure even flavor distribution and better texture throughout the dish.
  • Sauté vegetables until they're slightly softened but still retain a bit of crunch, preventing mushiness and preserving their natural flavors.
  • Toast herbs and spices briefly to intensify their aromatics, releasing deeper, more complex flavor profiles in the pasta.
  • Keep extra broth nearby to maintain a creamy consistency, preventing dry pasta and ensuring a silky sauce if liquid absorbs too quickly.
  • Let residual heat help melt cheese naturally, stirring gently to create a smooth, glossy finish without overcooking.

Pizza Pasta Mix-Ins and Ideas

  • Vegetarian Delight: Replace sausage with plant-based crumbles or chopped mushrooms for a meat-free version that maintains rich flavor and protein content.
  • Gluten-Free Option: Swap regular pasta with gluten-free pasta made from rice, quinoa, or corn to accommodate wheat-sensitive diets without losing texture.
  • Spicy Southwest Remix: Substitute Italian herbs with cumin, chili powder, and swap green peppers for jalapeños to create a zesty southwestern-style one-pot meal.
  • Mediterranean Inspired: Use ground lamb instead of sausage, add kalamata olives, and sprinkle feta cheese for a Greek-inspired pasta experience with Mediterranean flavors.

Serving Pizza Pasta One Pot Style

  • Pizza Party Plating: Serve this hearty dish in deep pasta bowls to showcase its rich, colorful layers and capture all the delicious sauce.
  • Cheese Lover's Dream: Sprinkle extra mozzarella and parmesan on top, letting the cheese melt slightly for a gooey, irresistible finish.
  • Fresh Herb Finish: Garnish with chopped fresh basil or parsley to add a bright, aromatic touch that complements the savory sausage and vegetables.
  • Crusty Companion: Pair with garlic bread or a crisp side salad to round out the meal and soak up the flavorful sauce.

Pizza Pasta Storage Instructions

  • Transfer leftover One Pot Pizza Pasta to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The dish maintains its delicious flavors and creamy texture when properly sealed.
  • Freeze the pasta in freezer-safe containers for maximum 2 months. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn and preserve the dish's quality.
  • Warm the pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth to restore moisture and prevent drying. Stir gently to distribute heat evenly and maintain the creamy consistency.
  • When storing or reheating, mix the pasta occasionally to prevent ingredients from settling and ensure even distribution of flavors and sauce.

FAQs

  • What ingredients give this dish its pizza-like flavor?

The sausage, tomato paste, red pepper flakes, oregano, and garlic create the classic pizza taste profile, mimicking traditional pizza seasonings while keeping the pasta as the main base.

  • Can I use different types of pasta for this recipe?

Yes, you can swap the pasta type. Short pasta like penne, rigatoni, or rotini work best because they hold the sauce well and are easy to mix with the sausage and vegetables.

  • Is this recipe spicy?

The red pepper flakes add a mild to moderate heat level. You can adjust the spiciness by reducing or increasing the amount of red pepper flakes to suit your taste preference.

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
One Pot Pizza Pasta Recipe

One Pot Pizza Pasta Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 11 reviews

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

Comfort meets convenience in this mouthwatering One Pot Pizza Pasta that combines classic Italian flavors with weeknight ease. Cheese-laden and packed with pepperoni, this hearty dish delivers maximum satisfaction with minimal cleanup, making dinner a delightful experience you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1/2 pound sweet or spicy Italian sausage, casings removed
  • 1/2 pound short pasta like rotini
  • 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded

Vegetables:

  • 1/2 medium onion, diced
  • 1 bell pepper, diced
  • 8 ounces (226 grams) mushrooms, any kind, sliced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced

Sauce & Seasonings:

  • 4 ounces (113 grams) tomato paste (about 1/3 cup)
  • 2 1/2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoons red pepper flakes (optional)

Garnish:

  • Parmesan cheese for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. In a Dutch oven, sear sausage over medium heat, systematically breaking it into bite-sized morsels until golden brown and caramelized.
  2. Incorporate diced onion, green peppers, and mushrooms into the sausage, sautéing for approximately 5 minutes until vegetables soften and release their aromatic essence.
  3. Introduce tomato paste, red pepper flakes, oregano, and minced garlic, stirring meticulously to ensure every ingredient is coated, allowing spices to bloom and intensify for roughly 1 minute.
  4. Fold pasta and chicken broth into the mixture, elevating heat to high and bringing contents to a vigorous boil, then reduce to medium-low. Cover and simmer for 14-16 minutes, intermittently stirring to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking. Adjust liquid if needed, adding water or broth to create a luxurious, creamy consistency.
  5. Eliminate heat source, fold in cheese, and season with salt. Embellish with additional red pepper flakes and freshly grated parmesan for enhanced flavor profile.

Notes

  • Customize Protein Swap out sausage for ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles to suit different dietary preferences.
  • Control Spice Adjust red pepper flakes based on heat tolerance, starting with a pinch and gradually increasing for desired kick.
  • Veggie Flexibility Experiment with additional vegetables like zucchini, spinach, or bell peppers to boost nutritional value and add color.
  • Cheese Options Use dairy-free cheese alternatives or nutritional yeast for vegan versions, maintaining creamy texture and flavor profile.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
  • Method: Simmering
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 580
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Sodium: 980 mg
  • Fat: 30 g
  • Saturated Fat: 12 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 54 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 28 g
  • Cholesterol: 85 mg
Lena Martinez

Lena Martinez

Contributing Writer & Culinary Educator

Expertise

Southwestern and Latin American cuisines, Vegetarian and plant-based recipe development, Culinary education and community outreach ​

Education

Santa Fe Community College, Santa Fe, NM
Certificate in Culinary Arts

Emphasized Southwestern cuisine and sustainable cooking practices


Lena grew up surrounded by the colors, spices, and traditions of the Southwest – flavors that sparked her love for bold, honest cooking. After earning her Culinary Arts certificate at Santa Fe Community College, she made it her mission to teach home cooks how to create flavorful, plant-powered meals without the fuss.
Her recipes are packed with vibrant ingredients, simple steps, and the kind of heart that turns a regular meal into something you’ll want to share. Outside the kitchen, Lena spends her time wandering farmers’ markets, trading family recipes, and helping young chefs find their voice through food.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star