This One Pan Cheesy Pizza Pasta has all the cozy, cheesy flavors you love about pizza wrapped up in an easy pasta dinner. Everything cooks together in one pan for a simple, comforting meal with plenty of melty cheese and delicious pizza flavor. It’s the perfect easy dinner for busy nights when you’re craving something warm, cheesy, and satisfying without a lot of extra work.
I think this recipe has to be one of my husband all-time favorite recipes. I know that I say that a lot about my recipes, but there is just something special about this one. The cheesy sauce goes perfectly with the chewy noodles and the spice from the sausage and it just makes the entire dish very comforting and.. magical.
It’s the perfect recipe to make when you just aren’t quite sure what to make, but you know you just want something that isn’t going to take much time and effort, but it will still taste like it does.
I hope you love it.
Make this One Pan Cheesy Pizza Pasta when…
- you have no idea what to make
- you want something that doesn’t take much time and effort
- you want something cheesy, comforting, and filling
Ingredient notes…
Here is what you’ll need to make this One Pan Cheesy Pizza Pasta recipe. Please be sure to check the recipe card for the exact ingredients and measurements.
- Pepperoni: A classic pizza topping. Adds extra protein and flavoring to the recipe, but you could always substitute with a preferred pizza topping if you wish.
- Italian sausage: Trust me on this, adding sausage adds so much more flavor. It’s amazing. But if you really don’t want to use it or don’t have any you can just use ground beef, ground turkey, or ground chicken instead.
- Radiatori pasta: I was feeling adventurous and this is one of my new favorite pastas of all time so I decided to use it, but I understand it can be hard to find for some people. If you don’t have it, you can use any other type of short pasta you have like penne, bowtie, rotini etc.
- Onion: Gives the dish a savory depth. You can always omit it if someone is not a fan of onions.
- Garlic: Adds flavor to the dish. Omit it if needed.
- Pasta sauce or Marinara: Gives the dish a earthy tomato base (but you don’t really taste it). I used Marinara but you can use your favorite tomato or pasta sauce.
- Chicken broth: Used to add flavor and soften the ingredients. I used chicken broth but you could always use another kind like beef or veggie.
- Garlic Powder: To add flavoring. Use any kind of seasoning you prefer.
- Onion Powder: To add flavoring. Use any kind of seasoning you prefer.
- Italian Seasoning: To add flavoring. Use any kind of seasoning you prefer.
- Paprika: To give the dish a little kick. Omit if you want.
- Mozzarella cheese: Used to make it cheesy. Could use a different kind if you want. You could also omit but then it wouldn’t be “cheesy”.
- Heavy cream: Used to help make the sauce nice and creamy. You could omit or use half and half, or milk instead. Or even omit.
- Salt and pepper: To taste.
Equipment I swear by…
- A good large non-stick Skillet
- A ground beef meat masher
While the One Pan Cheesy Pizza Pasta simmers…
- do some dishes so you don’t have as many to do later
- pet and cuddle a cute animal
- listen to your favorite song, or a song that makes you feel good
How to make One Pan Cheesy Pizza Pasta…
See the recipe card below for ingredient quantities and full instructions for One Pan Cheesy Pizza Pasta.
- Add chopped pepperoni to a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Once the grease starts to come out add Italian sausage, onion, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning and paprika.
- Once the meat is browned, add the minced garlic and cook for another minute.
- Add pasta sauce/marinara sauce and chicken broth. Heat to a boil then add the pasta and let cook until pasta is al dente. If your pan starts to dry up add some more broth.
- Add heavy cream and cheese and stir until melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Remove from heat and let it thicken for a few minutes before serving warm.
My tips and tricks to make this One Pan Cheesy Pizza Pasta recipe…
Healthier/Lighter: Use lean ground beef and remove any excess grease as the meat cooks.
Add veggies: Add any veggies that you like. Green or red peppers, mushrooms or even pineapple would make great additions.
Sauce consistency: If you find there isn’t quite enough sauce at the end add more broth. If there is too much sauce and you find it too soupy, you can always add a cornstarch slurry to thicken it up (2 tbsps cold water and 2 tbsps cornstarch mixed well).
Storage notes:
Refrigerate: This dish tastes even better the next day. The pasta will continue to absorb the sauce as it sits, so you can always add some more broth while reheating if you feel it has gotten too thick or there is not enough sauce. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and enjoy within 3 to 4 days.
Freeze: I find that pasta usually doesn’t freeze and reheat very well because it tends to get mushy, but that being said some pasta recipes aren’t too bad in the freezer. I personally have not tried freezing this one because there is never enough left over to freeze. If you try it, please let me know how it goes.
Are you struggling right now?
- Use prechopped or frozen onions and jarred minced garlic
- Skip the sausage if you want, or use any leftover protein you have in the fridge to skip the cooking the meat step and save time
Thank you for stopping by Comfort In a Bowl. If you have any questions, or made any additions/shortcuts that you think other people may love feel free to comment below. If you create this recipe or any other from our site, we would greatly appreciate you taking the time to share, comment and rate the recipe! Take care of yourself.
Want more easy one pan recipes?
- One Pan Beef Stroganoff
- One Pan Chicken Bacon Tortellini
- Easy One Pan Hamburger Mushroom Pasta
- One Pan Cheesy Creamy Herb Sausage Bowtie Pasta
- Easy One Pot Spaghetti
- Ravioli with Pink Sauce
One Pan Cheesy Pizza Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 cup Pepperoni chopped
- 1 pound Italian sausage
- 12 oz Radiatori pasta
- 1 medium Onion diced
- 3 tbsp Garlic minced
- 1 jar Pasta sauce or Marinara 14 oz
- 4 cups Chicken broth
- 1 tbsp Garlic Powder
- 1 tbsp Onion Powder
- 2 tbsp Italian Seasoning
- 1 tsp Paprika
- 2 cups Mozzarella cheese shredded
- 1 cup Heavy cream
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Add chopped pepperoni to a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Once the grease starts to come out add Italian sausage, onion, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning and paprika.
- Once the meat is browned (about 4-7 minutes), add the minced garlic and cook for another minute.
- Add pasta sauce/marinara sauce and chicken broth. Heat to a boil then add the pasta and let cook until pasta is al dente (around 10-12 minutes). If your pan starts to dry up add some more broth.
- Add heavy cream and cheese and stir until melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Remove from heat and let it thicken for a few minutes before serving warm.
Notes
My burnout situation…
I’ve talked about this before, but it still surprises me how much my burnout recovery is like a rollercoaster. Some days I’m so up that I’m like “Woohoo I can do this I’m going to take over the world” and then other days I can’t even get out of bed.
I’m trying to give myself some grace while also trying to see if I can examine a cause. Like if there is a specific trigger that sets me off to see if I can figure out what is going on, but I am also painfully aware that it might just be one of those things and something I just need to experience and go through in order to get to the other side.
One day, I’m hoping that I can reflect on this period in my life and won’t be able to believe how far that I’ve come. I’ll be shocked at everything I’ve been through because I am so blissfully happy, and I’ll know that this is the person I needed to be and the things I needed to experience to become the person that I need to become.
Because I don’t want to keep feeling like this forever. It’s a lot.
Conclusion…
To anyone that is currently going through a hard time, I just want you to know that I see you, and as lonely and down as you might feel, you are never truly alone. There are people out there that love you, that care about you, and that want the best for you.
And better days are ahead.
I have faith. I hope you do too.
Take care of yourself.
-Caitlin
