One-Pot Pizza Pasta Express (Printable Version)

Fast, flavorful pasta combining marinara, cheese, and toppings in one pot for busy nights.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz short pasta (penne, fusilli, or rotini)

→ Sauce

02 - 24 oz jar marinara sauce
03 - 1/2 cup water

→ Cheese

04 - 2 cups pre-shredded mozzarella cheese
05 - 1/2 cup pre-shredded Parmesan cheese

→ Toppings

06 - 1/2 cup sliced black olives
07 - 1/2 cup sliced pepperoni (optional)
08 - 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
09 - 1/2 bell pepper, diced
10 - 1 tsp dried oregano
11 - 1/2 tsp dried basil
12 - Salt and pepper to taste

# Directions:

01 - In a large deep skillet or pot, add pasta, marinara sauce, and water. Stir to combine.
02 - Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, reduce to medium, cover, and simmer for 7 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is nearly tender.
03 - Stir in olives, pepperoni if using, red onion, and bell pepper. Cook uncovered for 2 minutes until vegetables soften and pasta is al dente.
04 - Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses evenly over the top. Cover and cook 1 to 2 minutes until cheese melts and bubbles.
05 - Season with oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Serve immediately.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It's genuinely faster than ordering delivery, and your kitchen stays relatively clean.
  • Every bite delivers that pizzeria satisfaction without the guilt of feeling like you took shortcuts.
02 -
  • Don't skip stirring occasionally during the first simmer—a stuck patch of pasta on the bottom tastes bitter and ruins the whole thing.
  • The cheese needs to go on near the end when the pasta is already tender, or it'll cook too long and separate instead of melting beautifully.
03 -
  • If your pasta looks too wet after the first simmer, leave the cover off during the final cook so some liquid can evaporate.
  • Let the finished dish sit covered for exactly one minute after the cheese melts—it sets everything together and makes the texture perfect for serving.
Go Back