Cheesy Pizza Macaroni

Get ready to indulge in the ultimate comfort food fusion with this Cheesy Pizza Macaroni recipe! Combining the rich, creamy goodness of classic mac and cheese with the bold, savory flavors of your favorite pizza, this dish is a surefire crowd-pleaser. Tender elbow macaroni is smothered in a velvety sauce made from mozzarella and cheddar cheese, perfectly seasoned with Italian herbs and garlic. A generous swirl of pizza sauce, melty Parmesan, and crispy pepperoni slices take this baked masterpiece to the next level. Ready in just 35 minutes, it’s perfect for a cozy weeknight meal or a fun twist for your next dinner gathering. Garnish with fresh basil for a pop of color and serve warm for a dish your family will be requesting on repeat!

Nutriscore Rating: 56/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 cups Elbow macaroni
• 2 tablespoons Butter
• 2 tablespoons All-purpose flour
• 2 cups Milk
• 1.5 cups Shredded mozzarella cheese
• 0.5 cups Shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup Pizza sauce
• 0.5 cup Pepperoni slices
• 0.25 cup Grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 0.5 teaspoon Garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 2 tablespoons Fresh basil (optional for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions, about 8-10 minutes or until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 2

2. In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, whisking continuously, to form a roux.

Step 3

3. Gradually add the milk to the roux, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Cook for 3-4 minutes, or until the mixture thickens.

Step 4

4. Lower the heat and stir in the shredded mozzarella cheese and cheddar cheese. Mix until fully melted and smooth.

Step 5

5. Stir in the pizza sauce, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until fully combined.

Step 6

6. Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and mix thoroughly until evenly coated.

Step 7

7. Preheat your oven’s broiler on high. Transfer the macaroni mixture to a lightly greased baking dish.

Step 8

8. Top the macaroni with the pepperoni slices, grated Parmesan cheese, and a sprinkle of additional Italian seasoning, if desired.

Step 9

9. Place the baking dish under the broiler for 3-5 minutes, or until the cheese topping is bubbly and slightly golden.

Step 10

10. Remove from the oven and let cool for a couple of minutes. Garnish with fresh basil if desired and serve warm.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1353.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2887.1

Total Fat 152.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 75.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.0g
Cholesterol 437.8mg	0%
Sodium 8315.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 232.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 16.6g	0%
Total Sugars 47.5g
Protein 141.3g	0%

Vitamin D 219.2IU	0%
Calcium 2602.8mg	0%
Iron 16.2mg	0%
Potassium 2629.1mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 47.9%

Protein: 19.7%

Carbs: 32.4%