• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

The Short Order Cook

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Food & Fun
  • Travel & Dining
  • Meet Angela
  • Work with Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Food & Fun
    • Travel & Dining
    • Meet Angela
    • Work with Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Main Dishes

    Published: Mar 6, 2023 · Modified: Mar 20, 2023 by Angela · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments

    Pepperoni Spaghetti

    Jump to Recipe

    This pepperoni spaghetti is a pasta dish you will crave all the time. It is rich, hearty, spicy, & loaded with all sorts of goodies. This chunky pepperoni spaghetti sauce is ready in 30 minutes & a family and kid favorite. So if you wonder if pizza and spaghetti go together - heck yeah they do!

    Pepperoni Spaghetti Overhead of plate with parsley surrounded by checked napkin parsley and serving utensils.

    If you love pepperoni pizza and spaghetti run, do not walk, to make this dish. This was inspired by my chicken & spaghetti recipe and pairs well with a salad, or homemade ciabatta.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • How to Make Pepperoni Spaghetti
    • Top Tips
    • How to Serve Pepperoni Spaghetti
    • Substitutions & Variations
    • Equipment
    • Storage
    • FAQ
    • Pepperoni Spaghetti
    • Food safety
    Pepperoni spaghetti plated and ready to eat.

    Ingredients

    This simple but spicy homemade pepperoni spaghetti sauce only needs 6 ingredients plus some herbs & spices. This recipe uses budget-friendly staples & items commonly found in any grocery store. This is not a traditional Italian recipe but it's oh so yummy.

    Ingredients for pepperoni  spaghetti.
    • Pepperoni
    • Jarred Marinara Sauce
    • Bell Pepper
    • Onion
    • Garlic
    • Salt
    • Black Pepper
    • Dried Basil
    • Red Pepper Flakes
    • Parmesan Cheese
    • Spaghetti

    See the recipe card for quantities.

    How to Make Pepperoni Spaghetti

    Here are the easy step-by-step instructions for making this recipe for pepperoni sauce served with spaghetti. It is quick to make this in just two pots on the stovetop. Purchase store-bought precut items like pepperoni sliced or chunks, diced onions, or diced peppers to save time.

    Here is a summary of how to cook this.

    • Cut pepperoni, onion, & bell pepper
    • Sautee pepperoni & vegetables
    • Add sauce & simmer
    • Boil spaghetti
    • Plate spaghetti & top with sauce
    Pepperoni chunks cooking in the pot.

    To a medium-sized sauce pot, add the pepperoni chunks. Cook over medium heat for 5 minutes.

    Vegetables cooking in the pot with the pepperoni drippings.

    Remove the pepperoni and set it aside on a plate lined with paper towels. Add vegetables and garlic to the pot with the leftover pepperoni drippings.

    Pepperoni Spaghetti Add cooked pepperoni back to pot with seasoning and cheese.

    Cook the vegetables over medium heat for 5 minutes. Stir in the herbs, spices, parmesan, & pepperoni.

    Pepperoni Spaghetti Simmering in the pot.

    Add the jarred marinara sauce to the pot and stir. Simmer on medium-low for 15 minutes.

    While the pepperoni spaghetti sauce is cooking, it's time to cook the pasta. In a large pot of boiling water, add the spaghetti. Cook until al dente.

    Spaghetti noodles in a pot of boiling water.

    Hint: You can also make this in the slow cooker once the pepperoni has been cooked. Add all the ingredients (except the spaghetti) to your CrockPot and cook on low for 4-5 hours.

    Top Tips

    All of these great tips are shared in this post. But these are so good and important they are worth mentioning again so you don't miss them.

    • Buy store-bought pepperoni that is already diced to save time.
    • Cook the pepperoni so add crispiness to it & extract oils from it.
    • Sautee the veggies in the pepperoni drippings - no other oil is needed.
    • Store leftovers in the refrigerator in the jar from the store-bought sauce to ensure your bowls or containers don't stain from the red sauce.
    Pepperoni Spaghetti Plated and ready to top with parsley and cheese.

    How to Serve Pepperoni Spaghetti

    Once the spaghetti is ready, top it with pepperoni tomato sauce. Sprinkle on some additional parmesan cheese. You can also spice it up with more red pepper flakes.

    This hearty pasta dish goes well with many vegetables, salad, & bread sides. Here are my recommendations for sides that all go well with this spaghetti recipe.

    • AIR FRYER BROCCOLINI WITH LEMON & PARMESAN
    • ITALIAN CHOPPED SALAD
    • TARALLI - BLACK PEPPER BISCUITS
    • CRISPY MARINATED ARTICHOKE HEARTS
    Plate of spaghetti topped with chunks pepperoni sauce close up to front and checkered napkin utensils and parsley bunch.

    You will enjoy the combination of spicy pepperoni and savory tomato sauce. It makes for a tasty meal that will please even the pickiest eaters. With its simple ingredients and quick preparation time, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends at home.

    Substitutions & Variations

    Here are some great recipe variations & ingredient substitutions that can be made. Add, omit, or use one of these alternatives for other delicious recipe ideas.  These may help you enjoy it even with dietary, health, or personal nutritional preferences. 

    • Pepperoni - use a plant-based sausage instead for a vegan or vegetarian version.
    • Spaghetti - use any pasta shape you like such as penne, linguini, or rigatoni.
    • Jarred Marinara Sauce - use your favorite homemade marinara sauce recipe instead of store-bought brands.
    • Parmesan - omit for a dairy-free version.
    • Low-Carb/Keto - serve over spaghetti squash, zoodles, or Palmini instead of regular spaghetti.

    This sauce is already gluten-free, so serve it with gluten-free pasta for a great meal for those with celiac disease or wheat sensitivities.

    Pepperoni Spaghetti Overhead of plated pasta topped with fresh parsley next to bunch of parsley and bowl of parmesan.

    Equipment

    The right ingredients, supplies, & equipment help recipes taste amazing & turn out well.  Here are recommendations for products that are needed for making this recipe.  Shop this recipe & buy these top-rated items today. 

    The Short Order Cook is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.  If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission on the sale at no additional cost to you. This helps with the costs of running the blog. Thank you!  

    Storage

    This chunky tomato sauce holds up well when refrigerated or frozen. To store properly place in an air-tight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or 2 months in the freezer.

    I actually put mine back into the jar from the store-bought sauce & stored it in my refrigerator. This helped ensure the tomato sauce didn't discolor any of my containers or bowls.

    Pepperoni Spaghetti plated and topped with fresh parsley leaves.

    FAQ

    Here are answers to some common questions. I hope you find what you need but if not, you are always welcome to send me a comment and I will get back to you. 

    Does pepperoni go bad?

    Hard or dry sausages can last between 3-4 weeks in the refrigerator. The large links uncut will last longer than pepperoni that has been sliced or diced.

    How much marinara for a pound of pasta?

    On average it is best to serve a pound of spaghetti with 1 ½- 2 cups of marinara sauce. This recipe makes enough sauce for a pound of spaghetti or your favorite pasta shape with plenty of leftovers to enjoy later.

    Is pepperoni raw & do I have to saute it first?

    Pepperoni is a cured salami. It is not a raw or uncooked link sausage. Though you technically do not need to cook the pepperoni before adding it to the sauce, doing so adds more flavor & texture.

    Plate of pepperoni spaghetti.

    Pepperoni Spaghetti

    Angela
    This 30-minute recipe for pepperoni spaghetti is a crowd-pleaser. You will crave the chunky pepperoni tomato sauce that is rich, hearty, & spicy. This family favorite meal is so easy, making it ideal for busy weeknight dinners.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 20 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 6

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 pound spaghetti
    • 1 ½ cups stick pepperoni diced
    • ½ medium onion diced
    • 1 medium green bell pepper diced
    • 4 cloves garlic minced
    • 1 jar - 24oz marinara tomato sauce
    • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
    • ¼ teaspoon dried basil
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
    • ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese

    Instructions
     

    • Dice the pepperoni, onion, & bell pepper. Mince the garlic.
    • To a medium-sized sauce pot, add the pepperoni chunks. Cook over medium heat for 5 minutes.
    • Using a slotted spoon, remove the pepperoni from the pot and let drain on a plate with a paper towel. DO NOT remove the drippings from the pot.
    • Add the garlic, onion, & bell pepper to the leftover pepperoni drippings. Stir and cook over medium heat for 5 minutes.
    • Stir in the herbs, spices, parmesan, & pepperoni. Add the jarred marinara sauce to the pot and stir. Simmer on medium-low for 10-15 minutes. Stir occassionally and if it bubbles too much, turn the heat down to low.
    • While the sauce is simmering, cook the pasta.
      In a large pot of boiling water, add the spaghetti. Cook until al dente.
    • Drain the pasta and top with the spaghetti sauce with pepperoni. Add more parmesan cheese if desired. Enjoy

    Notes

    The nutritional informatoin for this recipe will depend on the brand of pepperoni & marina sauce you use. 
    Keyword easy, family, pasta, spicy, weeknight

    Food safety

    Here are some safety tips when cooking in the kitchen. Proper food handling is essential especially when working with meat.

    • Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
    • Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
    • Never leave cooking food unattended

    See more guidelines at USDA.gov.

    « How to Make Tanghulu (Chinese Candied Fruit)
    Jiffy Corn Casserole »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




    1. David says

      March 07, 2023 at 1:59 pm

      5 stars
      Super chunky and spicy. The heat was great but I like a bit more thin sauce so added a can of tomato sauce and it was perfect.

      Reply
      • Angela says

        March 07, 2023 at 2:28 pm

        Yes, it is a very chunky sauce. I am glad you enjoyed the flavor and made it your own.

        Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Angela the short order cook on a step stool reaching into the top kitchen cupboard.

    Hi, I'm Angela I’m Angela, a petite mom that loves to cook, eat, drink, & explore all things food. I have been cooking since I could pull up a stool to finally reach the counter. I still rely on my trusty stool every day. I am a former personal chef turned blogger that hopes you find something new & tasty to love while you are here.

    More about me →

    This site has links to products/services that may make us a commission. #ad

    Popular

    • Slow Cooker Corned Beef featured close up
      Slow Cooker Corned Beef
    • A set of black pots and pans.
      Best Pots & Pans for Gas Stove
    • Teriyaki chicken on a stick stacked on a plate with dipping sauce
      Teriyaki Chicken on a Stick
    • Homemade Snickers Bars featured 5 stack
      Homemade Snickers Bars
    • Slow Cooker Potato Leek Soup overhead
      Slow Cooker Potato Leek Soup
    • Overhead of cast iron skillet with creamy coconut chicken thighs ready to top with cilantro, green onion, and hot sauce.
      Creamy Coconut Chicken 
    • A bun topped with 3-ingredient sloppy joe meat and cheese.
      3-Ingredient Sloppy Joes (Gluten-Free)
    • Best Ever Mango Ice Cream featured two bowls close mango bottom corner
      Best Ever Mango Ice Cream (with Ice Cream Maker)

    The Short Order Cook LLC is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com

    #ad The Short Order Cook LLC is an affiliate of ButcherBox. I have been a customer for years and cannot recommend it enough. Great prices & even better meat! Sign up today.

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Cookie Policy
    • Terms of Service
    • Disclosure Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Work With Me
    • Meet Angela
    • Meet the Family

    Copyright © 2023 The Short Order Cook LLC All recipes, photos, and articles on this site are the property of The Short Order Cook LLC. You are welcome to share a photo ONLY with an accompanied do-follow link back to this site. Publishing any items as if they were your own is prohibited.

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.AcceptReject Read Privacy Policy
    Privacy & Cookies Policy

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
    Non-necessary
    Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
    SAVE & ACCEPT