Garlic Butter Pizza Pasta Bowls
Hey there, food-loving friend! Get ready to discover your new go-to recipe. This isn’t just about throwing some ingredients together; it’s about whipping up pure joy in a dish that’ll make your taste buds sing. Trust me, this one’s a game-changer! Imagine those cozy nights, or those bustling get-togethers – this dish fits right in, bringing warmth, flavor, and a whole lot of happy vibes to the table. Seriously, prepare to fall in love.
Why You’ll Love Garlic Butter Pizza Pasta Bowls
This recipe isn’t just about the ingredients it’s about creating moments. Whether you’re cooking for a casual family dinner, hosting a get-together with friends, or simply indulging in some comforting flavors for yourself, this dish is versatile enough to fit the occasion. Here’s why it’s a favorite:
Versatile
This dish is incredibly adaptable, perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner or a lively gathering. It’s a fun, deconstructed pizza experience that you can easily adjust to suit your mood or the occasion.
Budget-Friendly
Using common pantry staples like pasta and canned tomatoes, along with affordable pepperoni and cheese, this recipe proves that delicious comfort food doesn’t have to break the bank. It’s a smart choice for any meal plan.
Quick and Easy
No complicated steps or endless hours in the kitchen here! This recipe is designed for ease, letting you enjoy fantastic flavors without the fuss. Most of it comes together in one pot, which means less cleanup too!
Customizable
Feel free to unleash your inner chef! This recipe is a fantastic canvas for your culinary creativity. Want to add a little something extra? Go for it! Load it up with your favorite pizza toppings, from veggies to different meats.
Crowd-Plating
A guaranteed hit with both kids and adults. It’s always a win when a single dish can satisfy everyone at the table. This recipe strikes the perfect balance of familiar pizza flavors and comforting pasta, making it a universal favorite.
Ingredients
Here’s the magic of this dish it’s made with just a few pantry staples, but the result is so much more than the sum of its parts. Let’s break it down:
Pasta
Choose your favorite short pasta shape! Penne, rotini, or even elbow macaroni work wonderfully for soaking up all that delicious sauce and holding onto the cheese.
Marinara Sauce
The rich, tomatoey heart of our “pizza” flavor. A good quality jarred marinara sauce makes this dish incredibly quick and convenient.
Water
Needed to help cook the pasta and create the perfect consistency for our sauce.
Pepperoni
Those iconic little discs of spicy, savory goodness! Pepperoni brings that classic pizza flavor and a satisfying chew.
Mozzarella Cheese
The melty, gooey star of any pizza-inspired dish. Freshly shredded mozzarella will give you the best melt and stretch.
Parmesan Cheese
Adds a salty, nutty, and umami-rich punch that enhances all the other flavors.
Unsalted Butter
For that irresistible garlic butter! It provides a luscious, rich base for the garlic and herbs.
Garlic
Because a “garlic butter” dish wouldn’t be complete without it! Freshly minced garlic delivers a pungent, aromatic punch.
Italian Seasoning
A fantastic blend of herbs like oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary that instantly infuses the dish with classic Italian pizza parlor vibes.
Red Pepper Flakes
Optional, but a tiny pinch adds a subtle warmth and gentle heat, balancing the richness and giving it that slight pizza kick.
Fresh Parsley
A sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley at the end adds a bright, herbaceous freshness and a pop of color.
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)
Instructions
Let’s dive into the steps to create this flavorful masterpiece:
Prepare Your Equipment
Grab a large pot or Dutch oven. This will be our one-pot wonder, so make sure it’s big enough to hold everything comfortably. This ensures even cooking and sets the stage for success.
Cook the Pasta and Sauce
In your large pot, combine the uncooked pasta, marinara sauce, and water. Stir well to ensure the pasta is mostly submerged. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. This ensures even cooking and gives your dish the right texture. Preheating is a small but essential step that sets the stage for success.
Simmer to Perfection
Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pot, and simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring every few minutes to prevent sticking, until the pasta is al dente (firm to the bite) and most of the liquid has been absorbed. Be sure to follow the cooking time closely to avoid overcooking or drying out the dish.
Make the Garlic Butter
While the pasta is simmering, melt the unsalted butter in a small saucepan or microwave-safe bowl. Stir in the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic. This step allows all the flavors to meld together beautifully.
Assemble the Dish
Once the pasta is cooked, remove the pot from the heat. Stir in about half of the pepperoni and half of the shredded mozzarella cheese. Pour the garlic butter mixture over the pasta and stir until everything is well combined and the cheese is melted and gooey. Spread everything evenly for consistent cooking. At this stage, you can also add optional toppings like shredded cheese, breadcrumbs, or fresh herbs for extra flavor.
Finishing Touches
Divide the pasta into serving bowls. Top each bowl with the remaining pepperoni and mozzarella cheese. You can briefly microwave each bowl or place them under a broiler for a minute or two until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the pepperoni is slightly crispy. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and Parmesan cheese before serving. This step is crucial to let the flavors settle. It’s tempting to dig in right away, but a brief cooling period makes a big difference.
Serve and Enjoy
Serve warm and enjoy immediately! Whether it’s paired with a side dish or served on its own, this recipe is sure to impress.
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4-6
Calories per serving: Approximately 500-650 calories, depending on specific ingredients and quantities used.
Preparation Time
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
How to Serve Garlic Butter Pizza Pasta Bowls
This dish pairs wonderfully with various sides and accompaniments. Here are a few serving suggestions to enhance your dining experience: serve these Garlic Butter Pizza Pasta Bowls with a simple side salad dressed with a light vinaigrette to add some freshness and balance. A side of warm garlic bread (if you’re a garlic bread superfan like me!) would also be an amazing addition, though the garlic butter in the pasta already brings a lot of flavor.
Additional Tips
Here are some extra tips to help you get the most out of this recipe: for extra depth of flavor, you can briefly sauté some diced onion or bell pepper with the garlic butter before adding it to the pasta. Don’t be afraid to add other pizza toppings you love, such as cooked crumbled sausage, sliced black olives, or sautéed mushrooms. Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to your desired level of spice. If the pasta seems too dry after cooking, stir in a splash more water or broth.
FAQ’s
- Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of marinara sauce?
- What’s the best type of pasta for this dish?
- Can I make this vegetarian?
- How do I store leftovers of Garlic Butter Pizza Pasta Bowls?
- Can I freeze this dish?
- What kind of pepperoni should I use?
- Can I make this in an Instant Pot or slow cooker?
- How can I make the garlic butter extra flavorful?
- Can I add other cheeses?
- What if the pasta isn’t cooked through after the recommended time?
CONCLUSION
And there you have it, my friend! A recipe that’s more than just food it’s an experience, a cozy moment, a reason to gather and celebrate. I’m so excited for you to try this one and make it your own. Get cooking, and get ready for some serious deliciousness!
Print
Garlic Butter Pizza Pasta Bowls
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-35 minutes
- Total Time: 45-55 minutes
- Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner, Main Course
- Method: Stovetop, Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Description
A fun and satisfying dish that combines the comforting flavors of pizza with pasta, all served in an edible garlic butter bread bowl. This recipe typically features a savory meat sauce (often ground beef or sausage) mixed with pasta, pizza toppings, and plenty of cheese, then baked until bubbly and golden.
Ingredients
- 4–6 individual bread boules or sourdough bread bowls
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1–2 teaspoons garlic powder (or 3–4 cloves fresh garlic, minced)
- 1 pound lean ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (if not using garlic powder for butter)
- 1 (24 ounce) jar marinara sauce or pizza sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 8 ounces (about 2 cups) uncooked rotini or penne pasta
- 1/2 cup chopped pepperoni slices, plus more for topping
- 1/2 cup cooked and crumbled bacon bits, plus more for topping (optional)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese for serving (optional)
- Fresh basil or parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Carefully cut the top off each bread boule and scoop out the soft interior, leaving a 1/2 to 1-inch thick shell. Set the removed bread aside (can be used for garlic bread sticks).
- In a small bowl, combine the melted butter and garlic powder (or minced fresh garlic). Brush the inside and outside of each bread bowl generously with the garlic butter mixture. Place bread bowls on a baking sheet.
- In a large skillet or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef (or sausage) and diced onion over medium-high heat, breaking up the meat until no longer pink. Drain any excess grease.
- Stir in the minced garlic (if using fresh) and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add the marinara or pizza sauce, Italian seasoning, onion powder, salt, and black pepper to the skillet. Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Stir in the uncooked pasta, chopped pepperoni, and bacon bits (if using). Ensure the pasta is mostly submerged in the sauce.
- Cover the skillet, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 12-15 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente and most of the sauce has been absorbed, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- While the pasta cooks, sprinkle about 1/4 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese into the bottom of each garlic-buttered bread bowl.
- Once the pasta is cooked, remove the skillet from heat. Fill each cheese-lined bread bowl with the pizza pasta mixture.
- Top each pasta-filled bread bowl with additional shredded mozzarella cheese, pepperoni slices, and bacon bits (if using).
- Bake for 8-12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the bread bowls are lightly toasted. For a golden-brown top, you can broil for the last 1-2 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Serve hot, optionally garnished with fresh Parmesan and basil/parsley.
Notes
- Any sturdy, short pasta shape like rigatoni, ziti, or cavatappi would work well.
- Customize your ‘pizza’ toppings! Add cooked mushrooms, green peppers, black olives, or even a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for heat. Sauté any raw vegetables before adding to the sauce.
- If you can’t find individual bread bowls, you can use a large loaf of crusty Italian bread and cut it into thick slices, hollowing them out slightly, though they won’t hold as much.
- For a quicker meal, use pre-cooked pasta and simply mix it with the heated sauce and toppings before assembling the bowls.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave, though the bread bowls may soften.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bread bowl
- Calories: 600-900 (highly variable based on bread bowl size, type of meat, and toppings)
- Sugar: 5-15g
- Sodium: 800-1500mg
- Fat: 25-45g
- Saturated Fat: 10-20g
- Unsaturated Fat: N/A
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60-90g
- Fiber: 5-10g
- Protein: 30-50g
- Cholesterol: 70-150mg
Keywords: Pizza Pasta, Garlic Butter, Bread Bowl, One Pot (for pasta portion), Comfort Food, Weeknight Meal, Family Dinner, Ground Beef, Pepperoni
