One-Pot Pizza Pasta Express (Printable)

Easy one-pot pasta combining marinara, cheese, and pizza-style ingredients in 15 minutes.

# Required Ingredients:

→ Pasta

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

→ Sauce

02 - 24 oz marinara sauce (1 jar)
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 for non-vegetarian)
08 - 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
09 - 1/2 bell pepper, diced
10 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
11 - 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
12 - Salt and pepper to taste

# Preparation Steps:

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

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It's genuinely ready in 15 minutes, no hidden prep or resting time—life actually happens that fast.
  • One pot means one cleanup, which might be the best part of busy weeknights.
  • Your family gets all those pizza flavors they crave without the takeout expense or delivery wait.
02 -
  • Stirring occasionally during the simmer prevents the bottom from scorching and ensures even cooking—I learned this by ignoring it once and ending up with a slightly burnt foundation.
  • If your pasta still seems firm when the time's up, let it go another minute or two instead of worrying—it keeps cooking from residual heat and the sauce.
03 -
  • Keep the lid on during the initial simmer to trap steam and help the pasta cook evenly, but remove it when you add vegetables so they don't turn to mush.
  • Don't pre-shred your own cheese if you can help it—the anti-caking agents in store-bought actually help it melt more smoothly into everything, not against it.
Go Back