Skillet Pizza Pasta

Skillet Pizza Pasta is a delicious and hearty pasta dish inspired by pepperoni pizza.  Seasoned ground beef with pasta, marinara sauce, topped with mozzarella cheese and pepperoni.  Weight Watchers friendly recipe- 8 SmartPoints! 

Skillet Pizza Pasta is a delicious and hearty pasta dish inspired by pepperoni pizza. Seasoned ground beef with pasta, marinara sauce, topped with mozzarella cheese and pepperoni. Weight Watchers friendly recipe! www.bitesofflavor.com

 

I love skillet and one-pot dinners.  Who wants to clean a bunch of dishes after dinner… not me!  One of my favorite quick and easy one-pot dinners is my Skillet Pizza Pasta.  Seasoned lean ground beef mixed with penne pasta, delicious marinara sauce, Italian seasonings, topped with mozzarella cheese and pepperoni.  What’s not to love?!  This is a Weight Watchers friendly recipe and each serving is 8 SmartPoints!

I love pizza… and so does my husband.  If you ask him, pizza would be his last meal.  While we occasional splurge and order out for pizza, I’m always looking for ways to make healthy pizza inspired dishes at home.  A while back, I had a big batch of my Twenty Minute Marinara Sauce so I knew it was pizza making time!  I wanted to make a pasta dish that was quick to make and had the flavors of pizza…  and that’s how my Skillet Pizza Pasta was born!

 

   

I wanted to make a skillet type dinner that used only one pot to avoid a ton of clean up.  Raise your hand if you like to do dishes after cooking…. NOT ME.  Probably the worst chore ever!  Since I had a batch of my marinara sauce already made, all I needed to do was cook the pasta and use just one skillet for the dinner.  I use gluten free pasta in this dish to change things up from my usual pasta, which is whole wheat.   Gluten free penne pasta has the same texture as whole wheat, but if you prefer whole wheat, use that instead!

 

This recipe is super easy to make and your family will love it!  First, make the Twenty Minute Marinara Sauce.  I like to make this on Sunday and have a batch ready to go during the week.  Double the recipe and freeze the rest!

 

Twenty Minute Marinara Sauce is the perfect sauce for any Italian inspired dish. Packed with fresh flavors and ready to eat in twenty minutes. Freezer friendly and all natural with no preservatives! Weight Watcher friendly. www.bitesofflavor.com

 

Make the pasta according to the package instructions.  In a large cast iron skillet over medium heat, sauté onion and garlic until tender.  Add ground beef, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and cook for 10 minutes, breaking the pieces up, until completely cooked.

 

Ground beef for Skillet Pizza Pasta

 

Add marinara sauce, cooked pasta, and red pepper flakes to skillet.  Mix well then spread into an even layer.

 

 

Sprinkle with cheese and pepperoni.  Bake in the oven at 425° for 5 minutes until the cheese has melted.  Remove from the oven and garnish with fresh basil.

 

Skillet Pizza Pasta is a delicious and hearty pasta dish inspired by pepperoni pizza. Ready in 30 minutes and guaranteed to make those hungry bellies happy! Weight Watchers friendly recipe. www.bitesofflavor.com

 

Skillet Pizza Pasta is a delicious and hearty pasta dish inspired by pepperoni pizza.  Seasoned lean ground beef mixed with penne pasta, delicious marinara sauce, Italian seasonings, topped with mozzarella cheese and pepperoni.  A family favorite at my house!  Ready in 30 minutes and guaranteed to make those hungry bellies happy!  9 grams of fat and 8 Weight Watchers SmartPoints per serving.

 

Skillet Pizza Pasta is a delicious and hearty pasta dish inspired by pepperoni pizza. Ready in 30 minutes and guaranteed to make those hungry bellies happy! Weight Watchers friendly recipe.

 

I hope you enjoy these bites of flavor!

 

Watch this 60 second video to learn how to make Skillet Pizza Pasta:

 

Skillet Pizza Pasta

Skillet Pizza Pasta is a delicious and hearty pasta dish inspired by pepperoni pizza. Seasoned ground beef with pasta, marinara sauce, topped with mozzarella cheese and pepperoni.  Ready in 30minutes and guaranteed to make those hungry bellies happy!
Prep Time 25 mins
Cook Time 30 mins
Total Time 55 mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 6

Ingredients
  

  • 8 Ounces Gluten Free Penne Pasta, (Or Any Penne Pasta)
  • 1 Pound 96% Lean Ground Beef
  • 1 Teaspoon Olive Oil
  • ½ Small White Onion
  • 2 Cloves Garlic
  • 1 Teaspoon Salt
  • ½ Teaspoon Pepper
  • 1 ½ Teaspoon Italian Seasoning
  • 12 Slices Uncured Pepperoni, (I use Hormel Natural Choice Uncured Pepperoni)
  • 2 Cups Twenty Minute Marinara, (Recipe link in notes section)
  • 1 Cup Reduced Fat Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
  • 2 Tablespoons Grated Parmesan Cheese
  • Basil, For garnish

Instructions
 

  • Make Twenty Minute Marinara Sauce according to recipe instructions.
  • Dice onion and set aside.
  • Mince garlic and set aside.
  • Cook pasta according to package instructions.
  • Preheat oven to 425°.
  • Heat large cast iron skillet over medium heat and add oil.
  • Add onion and sauté for 7 minutes until onion is tender.
  • Add garlic and sauté for 1 minute.
  • Add ground beef, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning and cook for 10 minutes, breaking pieces up, until meat is fully cooked.
  • Add pasta, red pepper flakes, and marinara sauce to skillet. Mix until well combined and spread into an even layer.
  • Sprinkle top with mozzarella and parmesan cheese.
  • Top with pepperoni.
  • Bake for 5 minutes until cheese melts.
  • Garnish with fresh basil.

Notes

**Click here to follow recipe directions for Twenty Minute Marinara Sauce.**

If you prefer to use whole wheat pasta, it has the same Weight Watchers SmartPoints as gluten free pasta.
**Use 98% lean ground turkey or chicken instead of ground beef and the SmartPoints will be 6 per serving!
Nutrition is based on the Weight Watchers Freestyle Program guidelines. Nutrition calculated using Weight Watchers calculator.
NUTRITION: Serves 6- (8 SmartPoints Per Serving) CALORIES: 306 FAT: 9.2 SATURATED FAT: 3.8 CARBS: 30.1 FIBER: 0.7 SUGARS: 0 PROTEIN: 24.8

Looking for more Italian Inspired Recipes?  Click here to find all the delicious-ness!

 

Helpful kitchen tools to make this recipe:

 

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Skillet Pizza Pasta is a delicious and hearty pasta dish inspired by pepperoni pizza. Seasoned ground beef with pasta, marinara sauce, topped with mozzarella cheese and pepperoni. Weight Watchers friendly recipe! www.bitesofflavor.com

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18 Comments

  • Reply
    Beth Eaton
    December 7, 2017 at 11:23 am You had me at one pot dinner!!!!
  • Reply
    Sharon
    December 7, 2017 at 11:57 am Yessss!! I love WW-friendly pasta dishes! This skillet pizza pasta looks incredible. Cannot wait to make it this weekend!
    • Reply
      Kristine
      December 8, 2017 at 9:21 am Eating pasta while on Weight Watchers... winning!
  • Reply
    Marquita @LovetheLaniers
    December 7, 2017 at 1:06 pm This looks like it would be a HUGE hit with kiddos...and can be done in one pot? WINNING!!! Marquita @LovetheLaniers recently posted...Kid’s Picks 2017!My Profile
  • Reply
    Liz @ I Heart Vegetables
    December 7, 2017 at 6:22 pm Pizza and pasta are basically my two favorite things sooo I love this idea! Liz @ I Heart Vegetables recently posted...Finding Your Healthy: Alexa of Alexa Marie PhotographyMy Profile
  • Reply
    Vonda Feader
    December 7, 2017 at 9:33 pm At the top of the recipe it says 'serves 8' but at the bottom it says 'serves 6'. Which one are the points based on?
    • Reply
      Kristine
      December 8, 2017 at 9:20 am Thanks for pointing that out Vonda! It's 6 servings. I will update the recipe!
  • Reply
    Marie, Mamma's Cooking
    December 8, 2017 at 1:42 pm That a great idea! My kids would love this! I have a friend on Weight Watchers, so this would be great to serve when she comes over too :)
    • Reply
      Kristine
      December 12, 2017 at 9:56 am Oh great! All my recipes are Weight Watchers friendly with SmartPoints included!
  • Reply
    Jenny Melind
    December 9, 2017 at 8:28 am This looks delicious and something I can handle making pretty easily! That’s my kind of meal! My family would love it too. Thanks!!
    • Reply
      Kristine
      December 12, 2017 at 9:55 am This recipe is totally easy to make! I hope you guys like it!!
  • Reply
    Jessica Robinson
    December 21, 2017 at 2:42 pm One pot, pizza, and pasta. Sounds like love at first bite! This recipe sounds delicious! Thanks for sharing!
    • Reply
      Kristine
      December 26, 2017 at 11:05 am It really is love at first bite :) Thanks Jessica!
  • Reply
    Jenni LeBaron
    December 22, 2017 at 5:43 pm This looks like a fun alternative to pizza night! I love comfort food like this.
    • Reply
      Kristine
      December 26, 2017 at 11:05 am It is a great alternative to pizza night! Thanks Jenni :)

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