There is something mighty comforting about a crock of tomatoey supper bubbling away while the afternoon goes on around you, and this easy little recipe has the same familiar flavors folks love on pizza without any fuss at the stove. It leans on just five simple store-bought ingredients, which makes it the kind of practical meal busy parents and grandparents come back to again and again when they want a warm bowl that feels hearty, cheerful, and a touch nostalgic.
Serve this with garlic toast, buttered saltines, or a simple green salad with Italian dressing to round things out. If you are feeding hungry youngsters, a little bowl of shredded mozzarella or grated Parmesan on the table lets everybody finish their own serving just the way they like it, and a few breadsticks on the side never hurt a thing.
Slow Cooker 5-Ingredient Pizza Soup
Servings: 6
Ingredients
1 bag pepperoni slices (about 6 ounces)
1 pound bulk Italian sausage
1 jar marinara sauce (24 ounces)
4 cups chicken broth
1 cup dry ditalini pasta
Shredded mozzarella, for serving
Directions
1. Add the pepperoni slices, bulk Italian sausage, marinara sauce, and chicken broth to the slow cooker. Break up the sausage a bit with a spoon so it can cook into smaller pieces.
2. Cover and cook on low for about 4 hours, until the sausage is fully cooked and the pepperoni has flavored the broth and sauce. Skim off any orange grease from the top if needed.
3. Turn the slow cooker to high and stir in the dry ditalini pasta. Cover and cook for 20 to 30 minutes more, until the pasta is tender but not mushy.
4. Ladle into bowls and top each serving with shredded mozzarella before serving.
Variations & Tips
Make the sausage easier to manage: If you like neater crumbles, brown the Italian sausage in a skillet before adding it to the slow cooker. That is one extra pan, of course, but it gives you a finer texture and lets you drain off some fat early.
Watch the pasta closely: Ditalini can go from just right to overly soft in a hurry, especially in a hot crock. Start checking it at the 20-minute mark and stir once or twice so it cooks evenly.
Adjust the richness: Pepperoni and sausage both give off flavorful fat as they cook, and that is part of what makes this taste so much like a cozy pizza-night supper. If you prefer a lighter bowl, skim well before adding the pasta and use a slightly leaner sausage.
Try easy topping ideas: Mozzarella is the classic finish, but a sprinkle of Parmesan, a pinch of Italian seasoning, or a few crushed crackers over the top can make each bowl feel a little special without changing the recipe much at all.