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Take pasta night to a whole new level with this cheesy skillet pizza pasta bake! Loaded with classic pizza toppings, this easy weeknight meal can’t miss.

Skillet of cheesy pizza pasta with a fork pressed into rotini.

Imagine having to break through a barrier of golden bubbly cheese and crispy pepperoni to get to your pasta. That’s this recipe. It’s taking your dream and living it. Why shouldn’t we merge two of the most coveted meals out there? The year 2020 has been pretty strange. Being stuck in isolation with no end in sight, I’d say we deserve this kind of dinner.

Cheesy pizza pasta bake in a cast iron skillet.

What’s in a pizza pasta bake?

Anything your little heart desires, my friend. Take your favorite pizza toppings and load’em up. If you want to replicate this exact recipe, just think of a veggie deluxe pizza—but with the highly sought-after cup n’ crisp pepperoni. (No other pepperoni should exist, if you ask us.) Here’s a list of what you need in order to replicate this beautiful cheesy mess:

  • rotini pasta
  • green bell pepper
  • mushrooms
  • red onion
  • fresh oregano
  • a basic marinara
  • mozzarella cheese
  • pepperoni, preferably the cup n’ crisp type.

You can easily exchange the rotini for any other short noodle, like bowties or rigatoni. And if you can’t find cup n’ crisp pepperoni, regular pepperoni will do. To make this a vegetarian pizza, simply omit the meat.

Ingredients for dish spread out across a cutting board.

How do you make a skillet pizza pasta bake?

If it weren’t for having to boil the pasta in its own pot, this would be a bangin’ one pan meal. It’s super straightforward and a great way to bring some excitement to the dinner table mid-week. It’s incredibly easy. Check it out:

  • Arrange an oven rack to the middle position and preheat to 375º F.
  • Prepare the pasta as per the instructions on the packaging. When done, drain and set aside.
  • Heat a bit of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced onions and let them simmer until they’ve softened slightly—about two minutes. Add the mushrooms and green peppers, and let them cook until soft—about five minutes. Hit the skillet with a pinch of salt and a crack of pepper.
  • Stir the chopped pepperoni into the skillet and add the noodles. Gently toss the noodles to evenly distribute the cooked ingredients throughout.
  • Add the marinara and freshly chopped oregano, and toss the pasta until it’s evenly coated.
  • Sprinkle the pasta with a generous amount of mozzarella cheese, then top the cheese with slices of pepperoni, mushrooms, and green peppers.
  • Place the skillet in the oven, middle rack, and bake for about 15 minutes or until the cheese is fully melted.
  • Put the broiler on and broil the pasta for about 5 minutes, or until the cheese is slightly golden and bubbly. If you’re using cup n’ crisp pepperoni, they should also be nicely curled up with crispy edges.
  • Remove the pasta bake from the oven and let it sit for 5-10 minutes before digging in.

Collage photo 1: Skillet full of cooked veggies; photo 2: pasta and sauce added to skillet.

Collage photo 1: skillet full of pasta and tomato sauce with oregano; photo 2: skillet pasta covered in cheese, pepperoni, and veggies.

Skillet of cheesy pizza pasta with a fork pressed into rotini.

Hope you love this!

If you plan on making this recipe, be sure to snap a pic and tag us on Insta! @killing__thyme.

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Cheesy Skillet Pizza Pasta Bake

Take pasta night to a whole new level with this cheesy skillet pizza pasta bake! Loaded with classic pizza toppings, this easy weeknight meal can't miss.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4 people
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Equipment

  • Oven-safe skillet

Ingredients 

heat oven to 375ยบ F.Bake for 15 minutesbroil for 5 minutes or until cheese is golden and bubbly

  • 1/2 lb rotini, or any short noodle like macaroni, fusilli, etc.
  • 2 cups thinly sliced mushrooms; save a few slices for topping
  • 1/2 red onion, diced
  • 1 green bell pepper, diced; save some for topping
  • 1/4 cup diced pepperoni; plus some full pepperoni slices for topping, I highly encourage you seek you cup n' crisp pepperoni! But regular pepperoni will do.
  • 1 TBSP freshly chopped oregano
  • 2 cups basic marinara sauce
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella, more if you like it *super* cheesy
  • Kosher salt and cracked black pepper, to taste

Instructions 

  • Arrange a rack to the middle and preheat the oven to 375ยบ F.
  • Cook your pasta to al dente as per the instructions on the package; drain and set aside.
  • While the pasta cooks, heat a bit of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced onions and let them simmer until they've softened slightlyโ€”about two minutes. Add the mushrooms and green peppers, and let them cook until softโ€”about five minutesโ€”stirring occasionally. Hit the skillet with a pinch of salt and a crack of pepper. Stir in the chopped pepperoni and, finally, add the noodles.
  • Gently toss the noodles to evenly distribute the cooked ingredients throughout. Add the marinara and freshly chopped oregano, and toss the pasta until it's evenly coated with sauce. Sprinkle the pasta with the mozzarella cheese, then top the cheese with slices of pepperoni, mushrooms, and green peppers.
  • Place the skillet in the oven, middle rack, and bake for about 15 minutes or until the cheese is fully melted. Then, turn on the broiler and broil the pasta skillet for about 5 minutes, or until the cheese is slightly golden and bubbly. If you're using cup n' crisp pepperoni, they should also be nicely curled up with crispy edges! (Best thing ever.)
  • Remove the pasta bake from the oven and let it sit for 5-10 minutes before digging in. It'll be difficult, I know. But it'll be worth the wait.
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