Pepperoni Pizza Pasta

If you’re craving the flavors of pizza but don’t want to order out, try making this cheesy Pepperoni Pizza Pasta! Rigatoni noodles are smothered in a flavorful pasta sauce and topped with plenty of gooey mozzarella cheese!
This pizza pasta recipe will quickly become a new family favorite!

I’m a HUGE pepperoni pizza fan, but while it’s easy to pick up the phone and order a pizza when life gets crazy, my budget can’t always support that. Instead, I figured, why not combine a quick pasta dinner with the taste of something everyone loves so much? It was super easy and was a hit with my whole family, so you can bet it’s going into our regular meal plan.

Why You’ll Love this Pizza Pasta Bake

• Simple Ingredients: All the ingredients are easy to find at the grocery store, and you may already have a bunch of them in your pantry.
• Easy Prep: You need one pot for boiling the pasta and one skillet for everything else. Fewer dishes mean easy cleanup, too!
• Easy to Customize: Though my recipe is just for pepperoni pasta, you can easily add your favorite pizza toppings. Try some chopped mushrooms, green pepper, and anything else you like on your pizza.
• Delicious: Simple, wholesome flavors appeal to just about anyone!

Pepperoni Pizza Pasta Ingredients

Here’s what you need to make this easy dinner recipe:

• 1 pound rigatoni (or your favorite pasta)
• ½ cup milk
• 2 cups Italian-style cheese, divided
• 1 14-ounce jar of pizza sauce
• 1 cup pasta sauce (marinara sauce is a great choice)
• 1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 6 ounces of pepperoni slices

What is Italian-style Cheese?

Italian-style cheese is a mix of popular types of cheese that are often used in Italian cuisine. It’s a nice blend of Mozzarella, Provolone, Parmesan, Romano, Fontina, and Asiago cheeses. You can always just use Mozzarella cheese or create your own blend with what you have on hand, but this blend really adds a delicious flavor to the recipe.

How to make Pepperoni Pizza Pasta

This easy meal will be on your table in less than half an hour!

1. First, cook the rigatoni according to the package directions for al dente. While the pasta cooks, heat the milk and ½ cup of cheese in a large oven-proof skillet over medium heat. Stir together until the cheese melts and becomes smooth.
2. Stir the pasta and pizza sauces into the cheese. Add the Italian seasoning and slices of pepperoni, then give everything a good stir to combine. Simmer everything together for about 5 minutes.
3. Turn your broiler on to low heat. Drain the pasta and add it to the cheese sauce along with another ¾ cup of cheese. Stir to coat the pasta completely.
4. Sprinkle the remaining ¼ cup of cheese all over the top of the pasta to give it a pizza-style finish. Place the skillet under the broiler for about 3 minutes or until the cheese melts and starts getting that perfect light golden brown color. Be careful not to burn the cheese!

Serve it up with a green salad and some of my Grandma’s Easy Homemade Italian Bread or garlic bread, and you’ve got a delicious meal ready to go!

Customize your Pizza Pasta

Any of your favorite pizza toppings will work well in this dish! Consider adding the following:

• Olives
• Green bell peppers
• Italian sausage
• Diced ham
• Pineapple
• Mushrooms
• Red onion

How to Store Leftover Pasta

Cover leftovers tightly or place them in an airtight container and refrigerate. This pepperoni pizza pasta will be good for 3-4 days when stored properly. Reheat individual portions in the microwave, or place the whole dish in a 350-degree oven and heat the cheese melts and it is warm throughout.

Can you freeze Pepperoni Pizza Pasta?

Yes, this recipe is freezer-friendly! Prepare the pizza pasta as directed in the recipe above. However, instead of placing the pasta under the broiler, transfer it to a foil pan and let it cool. Cover tightly with foil and freeze.

Let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight before baking it. Bake at 350 degrees uncovered for 5-20 minutes. Turn the broiler on for the last few minutes to toast the cheese if desired.

More Pizza-Inspired Meals

There are so many great ways to put the flavors of pizza into a completely different dish! Here are some of my favorites:

• Pepperoni Bread: This recipe is one that I ALWAYS serve on Game Days (as do quite a few other people I know!). It’s just something that is so great to snack on during the big game and there’s never any left when I make it.
• Pepperoni Pizza Pinwheels – similar to Pepperoni Bread, but made into individual pinwheels.
• Easy Pepperoni Dip: this is an oft-requested dip for parties, tailgating, and more!
• Pizza Stuffed Shells: Another great pasta option that tastes just like your favorite pizza!
• Instant Pot Pizza Soup: This delicious soup is perfect for those colder months, and it’s so easy to make for busy weeknights in the Instant Pot!
• Meat Lover’s Pizza Frittata: This is a fun option for brunch! Eggs, Italian sausage, cheese, and tomatoes come together in this easy ultimate frittata recipe.
• Easy Pepperoni Crescent Rolls Recipe – because everyone loves the taste of crescent rolls, why not stick some pepperoni and mozzarella cheese in them for an easy snack or quick dinner?

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