How to Make the Perfect Pizza Pasta
American · Easy · 30 min · 5 servings
Pizza pasta combines everything kids love about pizza and pasta into one incredibly satisfying kid friendly recipe that will have everyone asking for seconds. Parents appreciate that this easy one pan dinner packs in protein and veggies while tasting like the ultimate Friday night treat any day of the week.
Why this recipe works
This Pizza Pasta recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 30 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 510 calories with 22g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 7 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 12 oz rotini pasta
- 1.5 cups pizza sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 3 oz sliced pepperoni
- 0.5 cup sliced black olives
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 0.25 cup grated parmesan cheese
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Cook the Rotini
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the rotini pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and return it to the pot, setting aside about a quarter cup of pasta water in case you need to thin the sauce later.
Step 2: Mix in Pizza Sauce
Add the pizza sauce and Italian seasoning to the drained rotini and stir well to coat every spiral. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to help it spread evenly throughout the dish. Let it warm over low heat for 2 minutes.
Step 3: Add Toppings
Stir in half of the mozzarella cheese along with the pepperoni slices and black olives. Continue stirring over low heat until the cheese begins to melt and everything is heated through. The mixture should look gooey and irresistible at this point.
Step 4: Top with Cheese and Serve
Transfer the pizza pasta to a large serving dish or individual bowls and immediately top with the remaining mozzarella and parmesan cheese. The residual heat will melt the cheese into a beautiful gooey layer. Serve right away for the full pizza pasta experience.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- pepperoni → diced ham or cooked Italian sausage crumbles work great for a variation
- pizza sauce → marinara sauce with a pinch of extra Italian seasoning tastes nearly identical
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Overcooking the pasta before adding the sauce which leads to a mushy final dish
- Adding all the cheese during cooking instead of saving some for the top which means you miss out on that melty cheesy finish
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 510 calories, 22g protein, 52g carbs, 22g fat, 3g fiber.
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