Description
Crockpot Veggie Lover’s Pizza Pasta is a delightful fusion of pizza and pasta, perfect for busy weeknights. This easy, slow-cooked dish is packed with vibrant vegetables and comforting flavors that the whole family will love.
Ingredients
Scale
- 16 ounces sturdy, medium-sized pasta like penne, rotini, or ziti
- 24–28 ounces pizza or marinara sauce
- 3–4 cups vegetable broth
- Bell peppers, mixed colors, chopped
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- Sliced cremini or white button mushrooms
- Sliced black olives
- 5–6 ounces fresh spinach, large handful
- Diced zucchini (optional)
- Halved cherry tomatoes (optional, add later)
- Corn (optional)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- ¼ to ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1–2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
- Chopped fresh basil or oregano (for garnish)
- 1 lb ground beef or plant-based crumbles (optional, for added protein)
Instructions
- Wash and chop all your vegetables (bell peppers, onion, mushrooms, etc.). Have spinach ready.
- Pour pizza/marinara sauce and vegetable broth into the crockpot. Stir in Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper.
- Add dry pasta, pushing it gently to submerge. Layer in chopped bell peppers, onion, mushrooms, and olives. If using ground beef, add it here. Do not stir extensively. Save spinach for later.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 3-4 hours or HIGH for 2-2.5 hours. Pasta should be tender but not mushy, and liquid mostly absorbed.
- About 30 minutes before cooking ends, give a gentle stir. Stir in fresh spinach (until wilted), 1 cup shredded mozzarella, and half the Parmesan. Continue cooking until spinach is wilted and cheese melted.
- Sprinkle remaining 1 cup mozzarella and Parmesan over the top. Recover and cook for another 15-20 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Ladle generous portions into bowls. Garnish with fresh chopped basil or oregano, if desired. Serve hot!
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 3-4 hours on LOW or 2-2.5 hours on HIGH
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
Keywords: To prevent mushy pasta, start checking for doneness at the lower end of the cooking time. Customize your veggies by experimenting with your favorite pizza toppings. For added flavor, consider adding minced fresh garlic or a dash of hot sauce.