Pizza Macaroni and Cheese

What happens when you combine two of the most delicious dishes: mac and cheese and pizza? You get Pizza Macaroni and Cheese! It’s the ultimate comfort food and the perfect easy dinner idea for busy weeknights.

 

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients are all easy to find — you may even already have them in your cabinet and fridge! For the full amounts, skip to the printable recipe card below.

• Pasta – I used cavatappi, which is a fun corkscrew shape. Elbow noodles are another traditional pick. Make sure that your choice is a tube and has enough surface space to cling to the cheese and pasta sauce.
• Roux – You’ll need to make a classic roux using butter, all-purpose flour, and milk. Whole milk is best, 2% will do, but skim is not advised.
• Seasonings – The cheese sauce can be a little bland with just the basic roux and white cheese, so I added garlic and onion powder with Italian seasoning.
• Pepperoni – What is more classic than a pepperoni pizza!? Chopped and blended into the actual mac and cheese and also placed on top, you’ll certainly get your pepperoni needs fulfilled.
• Cheese – Pizza traditionally uses a low-moisture skim mozzarella, but this type of cheese isn’t best for velvety sauces. Instead, I opted for white cheddar and topped it with shredded mozzarella. You can swap it out for white American cheese as well. Parmesan is also blended in making it a three-cheese masterpiece!
• Marinara Sauce – I use a jarred tomato sauce for this recipe but you can use your favorite pizza sauce or make homemade sauce, too.

Ready, Set, Cook!

It couldn’t be easier to whip up this simple pasta dish!

1. Prepare the Pasta. Cook pasta according to the instructions on the package in a large pot of lightly salted water until it’s nearly al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. Chop the Pepperoni. Dice a portion of the pepperoni into small pieces, keeping a handful of slices whole for topping later.
3. Make the Sauce Base. In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour along with garlic, onion powder, and Italian seasoning. Whisk until a smooth paste forms.
4. Build the Sauce. Gradually whisk in the milk, stirring continuously to ensure a creamy consistency. Let it simmer briefly so the flavors can meld.
5. Add the Cheese. Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in shredded white cheddar until melted and velvety.
6. Combine Pasta and Sauce. Toss the cooked pasta and chopped pepperoni in the sauce until evenly coated.
7. Assemble the Dish. Pour the pasta mixture into a greased oven-safe casserole dish or large skillet. You may want to place the casserole dish on a baking sheet to prevent any mess in the event the dish bubbles up a bit. Arrange the reserved pepperoni slices on top.
8. Layer with Sauce and Cheese. Spoon marinara sauce over the pasta, then sprinkle generously with mozzarella and parmesan cheese mix.
9. Bake. Transfer the dish to the oven and bake uncovered until bubbly and golden brown.
10. Let It Rest and Serve. Allow the pasta bake to cool slightly before serving. Garnish with extra sauce, cheese, or fresh herbs like parsley, if you like.

Make it Your Own!

Variations include any of your favorite pizza toppings! One word to the wise: depending on the veggies you add, you might want to chop and cook them ahead of time, allowing any additional liquid to evaporate out. Putting them in raw can result in watery cheese sauce.

• Cream – For an extra creamy dish, substitute some of the milk for heavy cream.
• Meat – Try mixing in cooked or crumbled Italian sausage, ground beef, sliced meatballs, or Canadian bacon. 
• Veggies – Onions, sundried tomatoes, and green pepper or red bell peppers all work well. 
• Brininess – Toss in some green olives, black olives, or capers for some salty umami flavor. 
• Heat – Sprinkle in red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper powder, or hot sauce for a spicy take on this mac and cheese pizza recipe.

Perfect Pairings

This cheesy pepperoni pasta bake is hearty and satisfying on its own, but pairing it with the right side dishes can take your meal up a notch. A simple and crisp side salad is the perfect pairing. Or, try a Caesar salad with crunchy croutons, a Caprese salad, or a colorful antipasto salad. 

For even more warmth and comfort, garlic bread or buttery breadsticks are a natural fit. Or, squeeze some veggies into the meal with asparagus or broccolini.

Storage and Freezing

Mac and cheese is a wondrous dish. What makes it so perfect for holidays and potlucks is its amazing ability to be made ahead and reheated.

How to Store

Leftovers will be good for up to 5 days. Reheat in the microwave at 50% power to prevent the cheese sauce from separating, or in a saucepan with a tablespoon of milk. It can also be reheated in the oven at 350°F for 5-10 minutes. I also like to use a fresh spoon of Prego sauce to liven it up.

Can I Freeze Pizza Macaroni and Cheese?

This macaroni and cheese can be frozen after the make-ahead directions or after it’s cooked for up to 3 months. If not already baked, place the frozen dish in an oven preheated to 350 degrees for 45-60 minutes, or until the full dish has heated. If it has been baked, reheat it in the oven or the microwave.

Recipe FAQs

More Cheesy Recipes

If you can’t get enough ooey-gooey melted goodness in your life, you’re going to love these easy recipes that are chock-full of cheese.