Easy Pizza Pasta (+Video) (2024)

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ByBrandie

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This Pizza Pasta recipe is a family favorite. Flavorful pizza sauce tossed with rotini noodles, pizza toppings and melted cheese. Delicious and easy!

A FAMILY FAVORITE MEAL

I’ve been in a pizza mood lately. I’ve been craving pizza and anything that tastes like pizza. Ok in all honesty, I am always in a pizza mood. Did you catch the Pepperoni Pizza Pasta Salad from last week? And now I’m sharing another pizza-inspired recipe: Pizza Pasta Bake.

Easy Pizza Pasta (+Video) (1)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

What is pizza pasta?

Let’s start with the basics of what this recipe is exactly. Pizza pasta is just cooked pasta that has been mixed with pizza sauce and pizza toppings. This is a really fun recipe to play around with because you can use pretty much any pasta shape you love and add any of your favorite pizza toppings to the mix.

Can I use pizza sauce for pasta?

Yes! Funny enough I get this question a lot on social media. So I am going to show you in this recipe how I use it. Pizza sauce is more concentrated in flavor than your typical marinara sauce. So if I am using it in pasta, I dilute it some with water or chicken broth.

Which pizza sauce is best?

If I am in the mood, I will make my own Homemade Pizza Sauce. But sometimes we don’t feel like doing all that, right? I try to show more affordable options here on my site so folks don’t feel like they have to buy an expensive brand to make something good (like Great Value items.) However, if you have the money to splurge on something a bit extra, I really like Rao’s Pizza Sauce. It is as close to homemade as you can get in my opinion.

Can this be frozen?

Yes, prepare the pasta (just don’t bake). Cover really well to protect against freezer burn. Then continue with baking instructions when you’re ready to eat. Note: you will have to add on extra cooking time since you will be cooking from frozen.

How do I store leftovers?

Any leftovers should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Easy Pizza Pasta (+Video) (2)

INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (SEE RECIPE CARD BELOW FOR THE FULL RECIPE)

  • ground beef
  • onion
  • garlic
  • Italian seasoning
  • pizza sauce
  • water
  • rotini pasta
  • mozzarella cheese
  • pepperoni slices
Easy Pizza Pasta (+Video) (3)

HOW TO MAKE PIZZA PASTA:

Cook 3 cups of pasta according to package directions.Drain pasta well. Brown ground beef with onion, garlic and Italian seasoning.Start preheating your oven to 350F degrees. Drain excess grease from ground beef.

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In a large bowl, mix together pizza sauce and water.

Easy Pizza Pasta (+Video) (5)

Add in cooked pasta, 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, cooked ground beef and 20 slices of pepperoni (that have been sliced in half.) Stir well.

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Spray an 8″x 8″ baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.Pour in pasta mixture.

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Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese.

Easy Pizza Pasta (+Video) (8)

Place remaining pepperoni slices on top.

Easy Pizza Pasta (+Video) (9)

Cover with aluminum foil.Note: I like to spray the inside of the aluminum foil with nonstick spray so the cheese doesn’t stick to it while baking or usenonstickaluminum foil. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes.Remove aluminum foil and bake for another 5-10 minutes (until cheese is melted.)

Easy Pizza Pasta (+Video) (10)

Serve with a crisp green salad and garlic bread or garlic breadsticks.

Easy Pizza Pasta (+Video) (11)

CRAVING MORE RECIPES?

  • One Pot BBQ Chicken Pasta
  • Puffy Pizza Casserole
  • Crock Pot Pizza Casserole
  • Easy Baked Ziti
  • Pepperoni Pizza Cups
  • Cornbread Pizza
  • Baked Ziti for Two
  • Grandma’s Goulash
  • Taco Bake
  • One Pan Taco Rice (+Video)
  • Copycat Taco Bell Mexican Pizza

Originally published: August 2012
Updated & republished: October 2021

Easy Pizza Pasta (+Video) (12)

Easy Pizza Pasta (+Video)

This Pizza Pasta recipe is a family favorite. Flavorful pizza sauce tossed with rotini noodles, pizza toppings and melted cheese. Delicious and easy!

4.99 from 50 votes

Print Pin Rate Save

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes minutes

Servings: 6

Author: Brandie @ The Country Cook

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground beef, (or Italian sausage)
  • ½ onion, diced
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
  • 14 ounce jar pizza sauce
  • ¾ cup water
  • 3 cups rotini pasta, measure before cooking
  • 2 cups mozzarella cheese, divided use
  • 36 slices pepperoni, divided use

Instructions

  • Cook 3 cups of pasta according to package directions. Drain well.

  • Brown and crumble ground beef with onion, garlic and Italian seasoning. Drain excess grease from ground beef.

  • Start preheating oven to 350F degrees

  • In a large bowl, mix together pizza sauce and water.

  • Add to the bowl, cooked pasta, 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, cooked ground beef and 20 slices of pepperoni (that have been sliced in half). Stir well.

  • Spray an 8"x 8" baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Pour in pasta mixture.

  • Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese. Place remaining pepperoni slices on top.

  • Cover with aluminum foil. Bake at 350F for 20 minutes.

  • Remove aluminum foil and bake for another 5-10 minutes (until cheese is fully melted).

Video

Easy Pizza Pasta (+Video) (13)

Notes

  • I like to spray the inside of the aluminum foil with nonstick spray so the cheese doesn’t stick to it while baking or use nonstick aluminum foil.
  • You can substitute the jar of pizza sauce & water for one jar of spaghetti sauce.
  • Have fun with this dish and add more of your favorite pizza toppings like mushrooms & green peppers

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Calories: 497kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 29g | Sodium: 846mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g

Nutritional Disclaimer

“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.

Did you make this recipe?Share it on Instagram @thecountrycook and mention us #thecountrycook!

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Leave a Reply

  1. Easy Pizza Pasta (+Video) (18)
    I’m making my Pizza Pasta Bake right now. I have to tell you that you’re the one I go to for all my important recipes. You just have a way of cooking that reminds me so much of the way I’ve been eating all my life. I’m Sicilian. My grandparents on both sides were from Sicily and when you cook something Italian, it just comes out great.

    Reply

    1. I love hearing that so much RoseMary! I hope you loved this one and find lots more recipes on here that you enjoy!

      Reply

  2. Are the nutritional facts per serving?

    Reply

    1. They are. However, these are just estimates. If you need nutritional facts due to dietary or health concerns, please use your own trusted nutritional apps.

      Reply

  3. Using pizza sauce or spaghetti sauce. Which one is better?

    Reply

  4. Easy Pizza Pasta (+Video) (19)
    I added black olives, mushrooms, and bell peppers to the top! It was delicious!!!

    Reply

  5. I made this yesterday for my family, and it was a hit!!!!!!
    Absolutely delicious ????❤????❤????????????

    Reply

    1. Yay!! Thanks so much Colleen!! I love hearing when a recipe was a hit!

      Reply

  6. Easy Pizza Pasta (+Video) (20)
    This is a great easy meal! Perfect for families. So easy and quick to prepare and very tasty! You could add any pizza toppings that you like to this dish. I did it as written and we loved it! I will definitely be making this again!

    Reply

  7. This was great !, I mixed mild Italian sausage with the ground beef, also used a larger baking dish and added sliced mushrooms…mmmm

    Reply

  8. Steps for freezing? Do I bake it the same amount of time or longer? Does it need to thaw or can I go straight from freezer to oven?

    Reply

  9. Easy Pizza Pasta (+Video) (21)
    I used Johnsonville Italian Sausage and added bacon bits and it was Fantastic

    Reply

  10. Easy Pizza Pasta (+Video) (22)
    Made this tonight. It was good!

    Reply

Easy Pizza Pasta (+Video) (2024)

FAQs

Do pizza and pasta go together? ›

Most dining patrons will take a light pasta (maybe shrimp scampi) and combine it with a compatible pizza (perhaps Truffle Mushroom). There are no hardline rules, however. Do You Like Sweet, Spicy, or Both? - For making pizza or pasta, there is an array of sweeter or spicier sauces and other ingredients to consider.

Can you use pasta sauce as a pizza base? ›

If you don't have tomato paste on hand, you can use pasta sauce on pizza by following these steps: Strain the pasta sauce to remove excess liquid. Add the pasta sauce to a food processor or blender and pulse until smooth. Add your desired seasoning and salt to taste.

How to beat pizza pasta? ›

In the Punch-Out!! arcade game, he fights with basic moves, and is as quick and tough as Kid Quick; however, his most notable move is when he comes in to grab his opponent. As soon as he does this, he throws a very powerful uppercut. Players must keep punching him in the face repeatedly until he goes down.

Can you use Prego sauce as pizza sauce? ›

Each quarter cup serving provides 20 percent of your daily vegetables, giving you a sauce that's as nutritious as it is tasty. Just spread Prego sauce over your favorite pizza crust and add toppings for a quick, family-pleasing meal.

Why does pizza sauce taste different from spaghetti sauce? ›

Quite simply, pizza sauce has a lot fresher, more raw taste than pasta sauce. This is because pizza sauce is barely cooked (sometimes not cooked at all), whereas pasta sauce is slow-simmered for hours to develop richness.

What pasta is good with pizza? ›

Best Pizza & Pasta Combinations
  • Margherita Pizza & Spaghetti Carbonara - The white pizza goes well with this pasta selection because of its perfect synthesis of Prosciutto, red onions, and creamy Romano sauce. ...
  • Doppio Pepperoni Pizza & Baked Ziti - This is a satiating and savory option for the hungriest meat lovers.
Nov 30, 2023

What country is famous for pizza and pasta? ›

Each day, approximately 1 million pizzas are consumed in Italy. Pizza here is popular both among locals and tourists who want to try a taste of authentic Italian cuisine. There are around 63,000 pizzerias in Italy, employing about 100,000 pizza makers.

What do Italians eat apart from pizza and pasta? ›

Here's how to re-create some of your favorite meals from Italy.
  • 01 of 36. Chicken Scarpariello. ...
  • 02 of 36. Italian Wedding Risotto. ...
  • 03 of 36. Florentine Butter Chicken. ...
  • 04 of 36. Agnolotti del Plin. ...
  • 05 of 36. Risotto alla Milanese. ...
  • 06 of 36. Braciole. ...
  • 07 of 36. Pork Chop Milanese. ...
  • 08 of 36.
Mar 21, 2024

Can I use jarred pasta sauce for pizza? ›

It is a great way to add some variety to your pizza and make it more flavorful. The appeal of using pasta sauce as a pizza sauce lies in the fact that pasta sauce is usually more thicker and richer than pizza sauce.

Can I use ragu sauce for pizza? ›

Excellent Pizza Sauce without Too Much Onion

Ragu Pizza Sauce does an excellent job of providing Italian flavor with the heavy aftertaste. I highly recommend it.

How to turn marinara sauce into pizza sauce? ›

To turn pizza sauce into marinara, reduce the sauce on the stove to thicken it, and add herbs such as oregano, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and basil to give it more flavor. You can easily turn marinara into pizza sauce by adding tomato juice or even water to loosen up the texture.

How to make pasta sauce more like pizza sauce? ›

How To Turn Spaghetti Sauce into Pizza Sauce
  1. Take your jarred pasta sauce and put it in the food processor. ...
  2. Turn on the heat and let the blended mixture simmer until you get a thick pizza sauce consistently.
  3. You can add salt, sugar, onion powder, garlic powder, or any other spice as per your taste.
Sep 27, 2021

How to make pizza sauce into pasta sauce? ›

First things first, gather all the ingredients you'll need to make your spaghetti sauce. These typically include pizza sauce, olive oil, garlic, onion, herbs (such as basil, oregano, and thyme), salt, pepper, and a pinch of sugar to balance the acidity of the sauce.

How do I turn marinara sauce into pizza sauce? ›

By enhancing it with a few extra ingredients, you can customize the flavor to suit your preferences. In a small saucepan, heat the marinara sauce over medium heat. As it warms, add the minced garlic, dried oregano, dried basil, onion powder, and red pepper flakes, if desired.

Is it OK to use marinara as sauce as pizza sauce? ›

Now that we know the answer to the question “What is the difference between spaghetti sauce and marinara?” you may wonder, “What is the difference between pizza sauce and marinara?” Marinara sauce and pizza sauce share the same essential ingredients, meaning you can spread marinara over pizza dough to get that perfect ...

Can I use ragu as pizza sauce? ›

Ragu Homemade Style Pizza Sauce is excellent! It's got the natural flavorings I like without the chunks and without added sugar. It's the best tasting pizza sauce I have ever had.

Can you use regular tomato sauce as pizza sauce? ›

Pizza sauce is VERY forgiving - you can use just about any tomatoes you like! If you're using canned tomatoes, we like using a smooth variety like tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes. You can use canned whole or diced tomatoes if you don't mind a more textured sauce. You can also use fresh tomatoes here!

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