Description
A delicious and easy crockpot pasta dish featuring ground beef, rotini pasta, and melted mozzarella cheese.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bell pepper, chopped (any color)
- 1 can (14 oz / 400 g) pizza sauce
- 1 can (14 oz / 400 g) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- 8 ounces rotini pasta, uncooked
- 1 cup water (or beef broth for extra flavor)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup sliced pepperoni
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil or extra Italian seasoning, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef or Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spatula as it cooks, until fully cooked and no longer pink.
- Drain excess fat from the skillet, then add the chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté for 2–3 minutes, until the onion softens and becomes translucent.
- Transfer the meat mixture to the crockpot. Add the chopped bell pepper, pizza sauce, diced tomatoes with their juices, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes (if using), and a pinch of salt and black pepper. Stir to combine well.
- Add the uncooked rotini pasta to the crockpot. Pour in 1 cup of water (or broth) and stir thoroughly, making sure most of the pasta is coated and submerged in the sauce.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 4–5 hours or on HIGH for 2–3 hours, until the pasta is tender but not mushy. Stir once about halfway through if possible to prevent sticking around the edges.
- About 15 minutes before serving, sprinkle the shredded mozzarella evenly over the top, then layer on the sliced pepperoni.
- Cover again and cook just until the cheese is melted and bubbly, about 10–15 minutes.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Serve hot, garnished with fresh basil or a sprinkle of Italian seasoning, if desired.
Notes
- This dish can be made with either ground beef or Italian sausage for different flavor profiles.
- Feel free to customize the vegetables as per your liking.
- Adjust red pepper flakes according to spice preference.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4-5 hours
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Crockpot
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 60mg