If you ever wanted to make a pepperoni pizza into a pasta, this is the recipe for you. And, to up the ante, if you wanted to make it with only FIVE ingredients in a true “dump and go” fashion in ONE pot, you’ve really come to the right pizza party. This recipe is so outrageous in both flavor and simplicity, it practically makes itself! I’m talking the easiest, cheesiest, PLEASIEST meal.
You can either serve it as is OR…
Instant Pot Pepperoni Pizza Pasta
If you ever wanted to make a pepperoni pizza into a pasta, this is the recipe for you. And, to up the ante, if you wanted to make it with only FIVE ingredients in a true "dump and go" fashion in ONE pot, you've really come to the right pizza party. This recipe is so outrageous in both flavor and simplicity, it practically makes itself! I'm talking the easiest, cheesiest, PLEASIEST meal.
Ingredients
- 3 cups chicken or garlic broth (e.g. Garlic Better Than Bouillon)
- 3 1/2 cups marinara or pizza sauce (use a good one like Rao's or Victoria, at room temperature is best), divided
- 1 pound regular or large elbow macaroni
- 2-4 cups shredded Mozzarella cheese, plus more for a pizza-style finish
- 6 ounce package pepperoni, diced (reserving some for topping if giving it the pizza-style finish – but don’t dice the pepperoni used for that)
Instructions
- Add the broth and 1 ½ cups of marinara sauce to the Instant Pot. Stir well. Add the pasta but do not stir. Just smooth it out so it’s mostly submerged.
- Secure the lid and move the valve to the sealing position. Hit Cancel followed by Manual or Pressure Cook on High Pressure for 5 minutes. Quick release when done and give the pot a good stir.
- Stir in the cheese until stretchy (NOTE: start with 2 cups and, after stirring, see if you’re content with the cheese count. If not, add up to 2 cups more). Then follow with the remaining 2 cups of marinara and the pepperoni (reserving some for topping if following Step 4). Let rest for 5 minutes and either serve or….
- For A Pizza-Style Finish: Evenly top the finished pasta with another 1-2 cups of shredded Mozzarella and pepperoni slices. Add the Air Fryer Lid to your Instant Pot and hit Broil (400°) for 5-10 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and browned. Alternatively, you can also do this by placing the pasta in a casserole dish and broiling in the oven until the cheese is golden brown.
Jeffrey's Tips
Wanna make this pizza vodka-style? Sub vodka sauce for the marinara!
Patrick
I think you left out the part in the condensed recipe where you first add the cheese.
Jeffrey
Updated!
Janis
I still don’t see where to add the cheese before making it pizza style.
HELP!
Jeffrey
It’s right in Step 3 – I’m looking at it right now. You add it and stir until stretchy and the add the remaining sauce.
Rona
I’m still not seeing the cheese in step 3…
Jeffrey
It’s there.
Trina
definitely there
Jeffery
Can you add ground meat to it?
Tony
How many servings does this make? It looks so good but I want to make sure I make enough for the whole family.
J Smith
Recipe says “yield 6” so I assume that’s 6 servings.
Jeffrey
Exactly 😉
Jim
Just made this for lunch. Excellent recipe. I expanded a bit to make it more like a true pizza. I added some spices including oregano, Italian seasoning, and a pizza seasoning by Chef Prudhomme. Then when it was time for the air fryer lid portion, I added two of my favorite pizza toppings, pineapple and onion (along with the pepperoni in Jeffery’s original recipe). On top of all that, or I should say underneath all that, I served it on a piece of naan flatbread. The kitchen smelled like a pizzeria.
So this is one recipe you can let your imagination run wild with and create your bit of pizza heaven. Yeah, I know it’s carb overload but oh so worth it! Oh, and that crust from the air fryer lid is to just die for.
Scott
What an excellent idea! I am going to do something similar the next time I make this. Thank you for the inspiration.
Corinne
Very easy and quick stick to ya ribs recipe. Great for a weekday meal. Yummy!
Bob
My favorite recipe .. making it again for some friends tonight.
Peggy McG
Could I use penne pasta or ziti?
Thanks for your reply.
Jeffrey
Sure! Same time.
Cindy
How long would you broil for in an oven?
Jeffrey
At the end with cheese on top? 3-5 mins tops, or until the cheese is bubbly-browned.
Cheryl
I used small ziti which is same size as penne and it was not done at all in the 5 minutes..I’ll go 8 mins next time
Steve
I am envisioning this using little balls of Italian Sausage, bacon or ham, mushrooms, onions, green olives, many things…but no acnchovies or pineapple…lol
Lisa
Would this work if I cut it in half?
Mark Broomfield-Ranney
Will it work if I sauté mushrooms and onions first, then follow the recipe? That would be more like the pizza we usually order in my home. Or would it be better to add those on top of the cheese before broiling?
Mark
I want to add mushrooms and onion to make it more like a supreme pizza. Question–should I sautee them and add in before broiling or put on top when I broil at the end? Or half and half? I want it to still be just as tasty!
Mark
If I want to add additional toppings, should I mix in before pressure cooking or add on top before broiling? I’m thinking onion and mushrooms!
Judy
I cook for 1 so I freeze extras using Souper Cubes so I can control my calories. About what amount would a serving be? 6 servings seems a little large (in picture) for me. I freeze your Mac and Cheese in the 1 cup size.
Scott
I make several of your recipes on a regular basis. This is one of our favorites. Super easy (I like easy) and very tasty. My wife loves it and tells me it is #2 right behind your Linguine and Clams in White Wine Sauce.
It is just the two of us so there is a bunch leftover that I portion and freeze for lunches.
Thank you Jeffrey!
Jeffrey
You’re so welcome!
Scott
I added mushrooms along with the pepperoni and then pineapple for the pizza style finish the last time. Yummy!!
Mary Gillespie
Can you do gluten free elbows and dairy free cheese do you think?
David
This looks great as is but I may add some small meatballs to it! I see a lot of viewers naming their favorite recipes of yours. So many great ones but our favorite is your Chicken Picatta!
Kate
Such a quick and tasty dinner, I made a nice salad and we were all set! And we will have it again tomorrow night, love leftovers!
Holly C
Lots of people have been asking, but I’ll ask again just in case. I’m planning on adding a bunch more things like sausage, peppers, onions and mushrooms. Would they be put in before the pressure cook or before the broil? Thank you in advance!!
Jeffrey
Before pressure cooking. But don’t add TOO many things or you may have issues coming to pressure.