Delicious Pizza Macaroni Bake
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food fusion with this **Delicious Pizza Macaroni Bake**—a hearty casserole that brings together the creamy goodness of macaroni and cheese with the bold, savory flavors of your favorite pizza toppings. Packed with tender elbow macaroni, zesty marinara sauce, crumbled Italian sausage, and melted layers of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, this dish is elevated with crispy pepperoni, vibrant bell peppers, and briny black olives. A hint of Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes adds just the right amount of spice, while a sprinkle of fresh basil takes it over the top. In just 40 minutes, this easy-to-make pasta bake transforms into a bubbling masterpiece that’s perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings. Family-friendly and irresistibly flavorful, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for pizza and pasta lovers alike!
Log this recipe in SnapCalorie
Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 0.5 pound Italian sausage
- 0.5 cup pepperoni slices
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 0.5 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 0.25 cup sliced black olives
- 0.25 cup diced bell peppers
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and set aside.
Cook the elbow macaroni in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente, according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it into small crumbles with a wooden spoon. Cook until browned and fully cooked. Drain any excess grease.
Add the marinara sauce to the skillet with the cooked sausage and stir to combine. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 5 minutes.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked macaroni, sausage and marinara mixture, heavy cream, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, and half of the shredded mozzarella cheese. Mix thoroughly.
Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Top with the remaining mozzarella cheese, grated Parmesan, pepperoni slices, black olives, and diced bell peppers.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Remove from the oven and let the dish cool for a few minutes. Garnish with fresh basil, if desired, before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3770 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 246.0 g | 315% | |
| Saturated Fat | 105.2 g | 526% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 12.6 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 629 mg | 210% | |
| Sodium | 7130 mg | 310% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 193.3 g | 70% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 12.4 g | 44% | |
| Total Sugars | 21.7 g | ||
| Protein | 172.4 g | 345% | |
| Vitamin D | 2.3 mcg | 11% | |
| Calcium | 2189 mg | 168% | |
| Iron | 15.2 mg | 84% | |
| Potassium | 1183 mg | 25% | |
*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.
