Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 cups pizza sauce
- 1 cup cooked and crumbled Italian sausage (optional)
- 1 cup sliced pepperoni
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (optional for topping)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup milk or heavy cream
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C), if baking.
- Cook the macaroni in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour to make a roux and cook for 1 minute.
- Slowly whisk in milk, stirring until the sauce thickens.
- Reduce heat to low and add mozzarella and cheddar cheese. Stir until melted and smooth. Season with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- In a large bowl, mix the pasta, cheese sauce, and pizza sauce.
- Fold in sausage, pepperoni, bell pepper, and onion.
- Transfer to a greased baking dish, top with breadcrumbs and extra cheese, and bake for 25-30 minutes until bubbly and golden (optional).
- Let cool slightly before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
You can use gluten-free pasta or vegan cheese to meet dietary needs. Add veggies like mushrooms or spinach, or switch the sauce for Alfredo or pesto for a creative twist. Excellent for meal prep and repurposing as fritters or stuffed peppers.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Keywords: Pizza Mac and Cheese, baked mac and cheese, pepperoni pasta, casserole, cheesy pasta bake