Some dinners are too pizza for pasta night and too pasta for pizza night. This pizza macaroni and cheese just skips the debate and gives you creamy, cheesy baked pasta layered with pepperoni, marinara, and melty mozzarella in one very convincing pan.
Ingredients for Pizza Macaroni and Cheese
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.
How to Make Pizza Macaroni and cheese (Step-by-Step)
It couldn’t be easier to whip up this simple pasta dish!
- 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.
- Chop the Pepperoni. Dice a portion of the pepperoni into small pieces, keeping a handful of slices whole for topping later.
- 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.
- Build the Sauce. Gradually whisk in the milk, stirring continuously to ensure a creamy consistency. Let it simmer briefly so the flavors can meld.
- Add the Cheese. Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in shredded white cheddar until melted and velvety.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce. Toss the cooked pasta and chopped pepperoni in the sauce until evenly coated.
- 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.
- Layer with Sauce and Cheese. Spoon marinara sauce over the pasta, then sprinkle generously with mozzarella and parmesan cheese mix.
- Bake. Transfer the dish to the oven and bake uncovered until bubbly and golden brown.
- 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.
Variations
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.
What to Serve with Pizza Macaroni and Cheese
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.
Chef Tips
I’ve made this pizza macaroni and cheese over and over to be able to bring you these tips and tricks.
- Cook the pasta just to al dente – The pasta will keep cooking in the oven, so stopping at al dente helps it hold its shape and keeps the final bake from turning too soft.
- Chop some pepperoni and leave some whole – Chopped pepperoni seasons the pasta throughout, while whole slices on top give the dish that visual pizza cue.
- Warm the marinara before layering if possible – A warm sauce helps the top bake more evenly and keeps the casserole from losing heat when assembled.
- Let it rest before serving – A short rest helps the cheese sauce settle and makes the portions hold together better.
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
Use a combination of milk and heavy cream in your cheese sauce, and add cream cheese for extra richness. Also, undercook the pasta slightly before baking, since it will continue to absorb liquid in the oven.
Pizza macaroni and cheese can be made in a slow cooker by combining uncooked pasta, cheese sauce ingredients, and pizza toppings. Cook on low for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
Pizza macaroni and cheese is a fusion dish that combines traditional macaroni and cheese with pizza flavors and toppings. It typically includes marinara sauce, Italian seasonings, and pizza toppings like pepperoni mixed into creamy mac and cheese, often topped with melted mozzarella.
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.
Pizza Macaroni and Cheese Recipe
Ingredients
- 16 ounces cavatappi pasta , cooked al dente according to package directions
- 3 ounces pepperoni , sliced and divided
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon homemade Italian seasoning
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup white cheddar cheese , shredded
- 1 cup marinara sauce , plus more for serving
- ½ cup low-moisture mozzarella cheese , shredded
- 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese , shredded
- Parsley , for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Cook the 16 ounces cavatappi pasta accordingly to the package directions for al dente. Drain, toss with a small amount of olive oil to prevent sticking and set aside.
- Chop about ½ cup of the pepperoni, leaving 10-12 slices whole.
- In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the 2 tablespoons butter, whisk in the 2 tablespoons flour, 1 teaspoon garlic powder and 1 teaspoon onion powder and 1 teaspoon homemade Italian seasoning in large saucepan set over medium heat. Whisk together until it forms a paste.
- Slowly whisk in the 2 cups whole milk. Continue to whisk and bring to a low boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 2-3 minutes, until it thickens slightly and flavors marry.
- Remove the sauce from the heat and whisk in the shredded 1 cup white cheddar cheese.
- Fold the pasta and chopped pepperoni into the cheese sauce.
- Transfer the mixture to a greased 9 x 13-inch baking dish (or any 3-quart casserole, baking dish or cast iron skillet).
- Top with the reserved sliced pepperoni. Spoon the 1 cup marinara sauce on top. Sprinkle with the shredded ½ cup low-moisture mozzarella cheese and 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese.
- Bake uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden and bubbling.
- Remove and allow to sit for 5 minutes before serving. Serve with additional pasta sauce, cheese and chopped Parsley, if desired.
- If you've tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or ratings!
Notes
Nutrition
I only had mild cheddar, not white cheddar, and I had turkey pepperoni so I used those substitutes but everything else exactly how it says. 🙂 AMAZING RECIPE!! Entire family loved it and went back for seconds. If I’m considering making it again after all the clean up, that’s when I know for sure it was absolutely delicious! Thank you!!
Yay! Winner, winner, PIZZA DINNER! And thanks for coming back to let us know.
This looks Incredibly delicious. I have to make this soon for my family!
I love pizza and pasta! Such a great idea to combine the two. I’ll give this a try.
This Pizza Mac and Cheese is making my tummy growl!
Gave this a try for dinner tonight and it did not disappoint! Easily, a new favorite recipe; the whole family loved it!
This sounds like the perfect combination of foods – this is the ultimate comfort food and has two of my absolute favourites!
Yummy! This looks so delicious and definitely going to be gone so fast! Can’t wait to give this a try!
Wow! My two faves in one—-pizza and mac and cheese! This is so fun and easy to make!
What a unique and excellant flavors on this I just love new recipes like this verycreative