Pizza Mac
Elevate your comfort food game with Pizza Mac—a delicious mashup of two beloved classics, pizza and macaroni and cheese. This crowd-pleasing recipe combines tender elbow macaroni with a rich, creamy three-cheese sauce, infused with the bold flavors of pizza sauce, Italian seasoning, and a touch of garlic. Topped with crispy pepperoni slices and a sprinkle of fresh basil, this dish bakes to golden, bubbling perfection in just under 30 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights or indulgent weekend dinners, Pizza Mac is a family-friendly, oven-baked masterpiece that brings all the savory goodness of a pizza in every creamy, cheesy bite.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 0.5 cups grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup pizza sauce
- 0.5 cups pepperoni slices
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 0.5 teaspoons garlic powder
- 0.25 teaspoons red pepper flakes
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Cook the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Once melted, whisk in the flour, stirring constantly, to form a roux. Cook for about 1 minute until golden and bubbly.
Slowly pour in the milk while whisking continuously to create a smooth sauce. Cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens.
Reduce the heat to low and stir in the mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan cheeses. Continue stirring until the cheese has melted and the sauce is creamy.
Stir the pizza sauce, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes into the cheese sauce. Mix until fully combined.
Add the cooked macaroni to the sauce and stir until the pasta is evenly coated.
Pour the mac and cheese into a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Top with pepperoni slices.
Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 10–15 minutes, or until the pepperoni is slightly crisp and the dish is bubbling.
Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh basil, if desired, before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3363 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 193.6 g | 248% | |
| Saturated Fat | 100.7 g | 504% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.6 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 566 mg | 189% | |
| Sodium | 6727 mg | 292% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 238.4 g | 87% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 16.7 g | 60% | |
| Total Sugars | 47.3 g | ||
| Protein | 164.0 g | 328% | |
| Vitamin D | 5.5 mcg | 28% | |
| Calcium | 3220 mg | 248% | |
| Iron | 16.2 mg | 90% | |
| Potassium | 2608 mg | 55% | |
*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.
