Okay, confession time! I’m a millennial, which basically means I want everything now, and I absolutely loathe doing dishes. Seriously, is there anything worse than a sink full of pots and pans? So, when I find a recipe that’s both crazy easy and doesn’t leave me scrubbing for hours, I’m all in. And that’s exactly why I’m obsessed with this one pan pizza pasta recipe!
This isn’t just some thrown-together meal, though. It’s actually delicious! Like, my picky-eater daughter begs for it, and that’s saying something. We all know how hard it is to get kids to eat anything that isn’t chicken nuggets, right? The secret? It tastes just like pizza, but in pasta form! Seriously, this one pan pizza pasta is quick, easy, requires almost zero cleanup, and is totally kid-approved. Trust me, you NEED this recipe in your life!
Why You’ll Love This One Pan Pizza Pasta Recipe
Seriously, you’re going to be obsessed! Here’s why:
Quick and Easy Weeknight Meal
Let’s be real, weeknights are hectic! This One pan pizza pasta recipe is ready in about 25 minutes. That’s faster than ordering takeout! Plus, you can throw it together while helping with homework or catching up on your favorite show. Total lifesaver!
Minimal Cleanup
Okay, this is the BEST part. Everything cooks in one pan! One. Pan. That means less scrubbing and more time relaxing. Honestly, I almost cried the first time I made it. No mountain of dishes? Sold!
Kid-Friendly and Customizable
Got picky eaters? No problem! This One pan pizza pasta recipe tastes like pizza, so kids love it. Plus, you can easily swap out ingredients to suit everyone’s tastes. Add veggies, different cheeses, whatever your family likes! It’s super versatile.
One Pan Pizza Pasta Recipe Ingredients
Alright, let’s gather our goodies! Here’s what you’ll need to whip up this amazing One pan pizza pasta recipe. Don’t worry, most of it’s stuff you probably already have! And hey, if you’re missing something, don’t stress! Just tweak it – that’s what cooking’s all about, right?
- 40 slices pepperoni, quartered and divided (trust me, don’t skip the pepperoni!)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for sautéing deliciousness)
- 1 tablespoon garlic paste (or minced garlic, if you’re feeling fancy!)
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt (because flavor!)
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper (a little kick never hurt anyone)
- 24 ounces marinara sauce (your favorite brand works great)
- 14 ounces pizza sauce (this is what makes it taste like PIZZA!)
- 2 cups water (it all needs to cook, right?)
- ⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes (for a little zing! Optional, of course)
- 2 teaspoon dried oregano (the secret ingredient!)
- 1 pound large elbow macaroni (gotta have the pasta!)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided (cheeeeese!)
- 1 teaspoon parsley, minced (for garnish – makes it look all pretty)
Make sure you quarter that pepperoni! It helps spread the flavor. Ok, ready to cook?! Let’s go!
How to Make One Pan Pizza Pasta Recipe: Step-by-Step Instructions
Okay, here comes the fun part! Let’s turn those ingredients into a delicious One pan pizza pasta masterpiece! Don’t worry, it’s super easy, even if you’re not a master chef. Just follow these steps, and you’ll be chowing down in no time.
Preparing the Base
First, grab that big skillet (the one with a lid – you’ll need it!). Toss most of your quartered pepperoni (save some for topping!) into the skillet with the olive oil, garlic paste, salt, and pepper. Cook it over low heat for about 2 minutes, stirring often. You want the pepperoni to get a little crispy and release its flavor. Mmm, smells good already, right?
Simmering the One Pan Pizza Pasta Recipe
Now, pour in the marinara sauce, pizza sauce, water, red pepper flakes (if you’re using them!), and oregano. Stir it all together until it’s nicely combined. Then, dump in the macaroni and stir again to make sure everything’s coated in that yummy sauce. Crank the heat up to medium, cover the skillet, and let it simmer for about 15 minutes. This is where the magic happens!
Make sure you stir it frequently, especially towards the end! You don’t want the pasta to stick to the bottom and burn. Nobody wants burnt pasta! Keep a close eye on it and stir, stir, stir until the pasta has absorbed most of the liquid and is nice and tender.
Adding the Cheese and Finishing Touches
Alright, pasta’s cooked? Awesome! Stir in one cup of that glorious mozzarella cheese. Then, sprinkle the remaining mozzarella evenly over the top of the pasta. Add the rest of the pepperoni, too! Cover the skillet again and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes, or until the cheese is all melty and gooey. Yum!
Take it off the heat, sprinkle with parsley, and BAM! You’ve got yourself a killer One pan pizza pasta. Serve it up hot and enjoy!
Tips for the Best One Pan Pizza Pasta Recipe
Want to take your One pan pizza pasta recipe to the next level? Here are a few little tricks I’ve learned along the way. Trust me, they make a difference!
- Stir, stir, stir! Seriously, this is key to preventing sticking. Especially towards the end of cooking, give it a good stir every couple of minutes.
- Taste and adjust! Before you add the cheese, give the sauce a taste. Need more salt? Pepper? Red pepper flakes? Now’s the time to tweak it!
- Melty cheese magic! If your cheese isn’t melting evenly, try adding a tablespoon of water to the pan before covering it. The steam helps melt everything perfectly!
One Pan Pizza Pasta Recipe Variations
Okay, so you’ve mastered the basic One pan pizza pasta recipe? Awesome! Now, let’s get a little crazy and try some fun variations! The best part about this recipe is how easy it is to customize. Seriously, the possibilities are endless!
- Pasta Power! Elbow macaroni is classic, but feel free to swap it out! Rotini, penne, even shells would work great. Just adjust the cooking time as needed.
- Veggie Boost! Sneak in some extra veggies! Sautéed onions, bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach would all be delicious. Just add them when you cook the pepperoni.
- Cheese, Please! Mozzarella is amazing, but why stop there? Try adding some Parmesan, provolone, or even a little bit of ricotta for extra creaminess.
Get creative and have fun with it! What’s YOUR favorite One pan pizza pasta recipe combo?
Frequently Asked Questions About One Pan Pizza Pasta
Got questions about making this awesome One pan pizza pasta? I got you covered! Here are some of the most common questions I get asked, and my super-helpful answers, of course!
- Can I use a different type of pasta? Absolutely! Elbow macaroni is classic, but rotini, penne, or even small shells work great. Just keep an eye on the cooking time, as different pasta shapes cook at different rates.
- Can I add vegetables to this One pan pizza pasta recipe? You bet! Sautéed onions, bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach are all delicious additions. Just add them to the skillet along with the pepperoni.
- How do I prevent the pasta from sticking? Ah, the age-old question! The key is to stir frequently, especially towards the end of the cooking time. Also, make sure you’re using a large enough skillet, so the pasta isn’t too crowded.
- What if I don’t have pizza sauce? No problem! Just use more marinara sauce. You might want to add a pinch of sugar to balance out the acidity.
Estimated Nutritional Information for One Pan Pizza Pasta Recipe
Okay, so here’s the deal: a serving of this One pan pizza pasta recipe clocks in around 550 calories, with roughly 25g of fat, 25g of protein, and 60g of carbs. Keep in mind, though, that’s just an estimate!
Serve Up Your Delicious One Pan Pizza Pasta Recipe
Alright, you made it! Now go dig in and enjoy your amazing One pan pizza pasta recipe! And hey, if you loved it (and I know you will!), leave a comment, rate the recipe, or share it with your friends! Happy cooking!
Print
Incredibly Easy One Pan Pizza Pasta Recipe: Just 25 Min
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Pasta
- Method: One Pan
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
One Pan Pizza Pasta is a quick, easy, and delicious meal perfect for busy individuals and families. This recipe minimizes cleanup and is great for picky eaters.
Ingredients
- 40 slices pepperoni quartered and divided
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon garlic paste
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 24 ounces marinara sauce
- 14 ounces pizza sauce
- 2 cups water
- ⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 pound large elbow macaroni
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese divided
- 1 teaspoon parsley minced
Instructions
- Add most of the quartered pepperonis (reserve some for the top of the dish) along with the olive oil, garlic paste, salt, and pepper to a large skillet (that has a cover) and cook for 2 minutes over low heat, stirring frequently.
- Add in marinara sauce, pizza sauce, water, red pepper flakes, and oregano and stir to combine.
- Then add in the macaroni and stir until combined, increase to medium heat and cover and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring frequently until pasta has absorbed most of the liquid. Keep a close eye on it towards the end of the cooking time because you don’t want the pasta to burn and stick to the pan.
- Once the pasta is tender, stir in 1 cup of the mozzarella. Then top the pasta with the remaining mozzarella and pepperoni.
- Cover and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes until cheese has melted, remove from heat and garnish with parsley and serve hot.
Notes
- Keep a close eye on the pasta towards the end of cooking to prevent burning.
- Reserve some pepperoni for topping the dish.
- Stir frequently to prevent sticking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
