Pepperoni Pizza Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese

5 from 2 votes

You are going to love this creamy baked mac and cheese! My Pepperoni Pizza Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese makes the perfect dinner for any occasion.

Be sure to try my Easy Pepperoni Pizza Dip too!

creamy baked mac and cheese in serving dish

Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese

There’s nothing better than easy homemade mac and cheese. I kicked it up a notch with my Pepperoni Pizza Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese today. It’s ultra cheesy and has that delicious Pepperoni Pizza flavors too. You’ll love this one!

Why I Love This Recipe

  • Cheesy!! This mac and cheese recipe is packed with cheese and topped with pepperoni. It’s a fan favorite.
  • Great For Parties. Guests love enjoying this mac and cheese recipe at parties. It’s always a huge hit!
  • Easy To Make. With my step by step instructions, you’ll have no trouble making this mac and cheese recipe.

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preparing homemade roux in large pot

What You’ll Need

Here are the ingredients you’ll need to make pepperoni pizza mac and cheese at home. See the recipe card located at the bottom of the post for full details and instructions.

  • Small Shaped Dry Pasta– Elbow pasta works great. Small shells too.
  • Butter– I use generally salted butter for my recipes, unsalted works great too.
  • All-Purpose Flour– Flour is used to make the homemade roux.
  • Kosher Salt– Kosher salt is a coarse salt commonly used in cooking and baking.
  • Black Pepper– For best tasting results use freshly cracked black pepper.
  • Milk– 2% or whole milk works great.
  • Shredded Cheddar Cheese– I use mild cheddar cheese for my homemade cheese sauce.
  • Pizza Sauce– Use your favorite brand of pizza sauce.
  • Pepperoni Slices– Pepperoni slices are added to the top of the mac and cheese before baking.
  • Shredded Mozzarella Cheese– Mozzarella cheese is added to the top of the dish before baking.
    adding cooked pasta to cheese sauce over stovetop

    How To Make Baked Mac and Cheese

    Preheat Oven To 350 Degrees F.

    Cook Pasta. Cook pasta according to package directions. I recommend cooking the pasta a minute less than the directions.  Drain and set aside for a few minutes.

    Prepare Roux. To prepare roux, melt butter into a medium saucepan over medium heat. Once melted whisk in flour, salt and pepper. Stir and cook for 3-4 minutes until color of roux gets slightly darker. Slowly whisk in milk, stirring continuously until thickened, about 2 minutes. Reduce heat to a simmer and stir in cheese until melted.

    Add Pasta To Cheese Sauce. Transfer cooked pasta to large dutch oven or pot over low heat. Pour cheese sauce over top, stirring to combine. This is a thick and creamy sauce. To thin the sauce, add a few tablespoons of milk at a time until at desired consistency.

    mac and cheese transferred to baking dish

    Transfer Pasta To Baking Dish. Transfer stovetop mac and cheese to a lightly greased 9 x 13 inch baking dish. Top evenly with pizza sauce.

    topping mac and cheese with pepperonis

    Add Pepperoni and More Cheese. Top with a generous layer of pepperonis.

    creamy baked mac and cheese in baking dish

    Mozzarella. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese over top of pepperoni layer.

    Bake. Bake for 25-30- minutes, until cheese is melted and dish is heated through. Remove and serve hot.

    How Long To Bake Mac and Cheese

    Add lots of shredded Mozzarella cheese and bake at 350 degrees F. for about 30 minutes, until cheese is melted and hot.

    creamy baked mac and cheese in baking dish

    Remove From Oven. Remove from oven when cheese is melted and bubbly, turning golden brown around edges.

    Recipe Tips For Success

    • Don’t Overcook Pasta. Watch your pasta carefully as it cooks. Check it one minute less than what the package suggests.
    • Use Quality Ingredients. For best tasting results use the best quality ingredients.
    • Makes Delicious Leftovers. Try warming up this mac and cheese recipe the next day for lunch or dinner. It’s just as delicious.
    creamy baked mac and cheese in baking dish

    How To Serve Baked Mac and Cheese

    Serve hot, shortly after removing from oven. Serve with a nice chopped salad, roasted vegetables and garlic bread if you’d like.

    Leftovers

    Store any leftovers in an airtight container for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.

    Reheating Instructions

    To reheat mac and cheese, place your desired portion onto a heat proof plate loosely covered with plastic wrap. Microwave for 60-75 seconds, until hot. Carefully remove and enjoy.

    Try More Mac And Cheese Recipes

    creamy baked mac and cheese
    5 from 2 votes

    Pepperoni Pizza Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese

    This Pepperoni Pizza Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese is a huge hit at any dinner! Creamy homemade mac and cheese baked with a pizza layer on top!
    Course: Dinner
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time 20 minutes
    Cook Time 30 minutes
    Total Time 50 minutes
    Servings: 12
    Calories: 301kcal
    Author: Jenny
    Cost: $40
    Print Pin

    Equipment

    • Oven
    • Dutch Oven
    • saucepan
    • whisk
    • measuring cups
    • measuring spoons
    • mixing spoon

    Ingredients

    • 3/4 pound dry small pasta I used elbow
    • 1 stick unsalted butter
    • 1/2 cup all purpose flour
    • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
    • 1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
    • 2-2 1/2 cups milk I use 2%
    • 2 cups finely shredded mild cheddar cheese
    • 1 cup prepared pizza sauce
    • 20 pepperonis
    • 2 cups shredded Mozzarella cheese

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
    • Cook pasta according to package directions. I recommend cooking the pasta a minute less than the directions. Drain and set aside for a few minutes.
    • To prepare roux, melt butter into a medium saucepan over medium heat. Once melted whisk in flour, salt and pepper. Stir and cook for 3-4 minutes until color of roux gets slightly darker. Slowly whisk in milk, stirring continuously until thickened, about 2 minutes. Reduce heat to a simmer and stir in cheese until melted.
    • Transfer cooked pasta to large dutch oven or pot over low heat. Pour cheese sauce over top, stirring to combine. This is a thick and creamy sauce. To thin the sauce, add a few tablespoons of milk at a time until at desired consistency.
    • Transfer stovetop mac and cheese to a lightly greased 9 x 13 inch baking dish. Top evenly with pizza sauce, pepperonis and Mozzarella cheese. Bake for 25-3- minutes, until cheese is melted and dish is heated through. Remove and serve hot.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 301kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 41mg | Sodium: 617mg | Potassium: 247mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 450IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 349mg | Iron: 1mg
    Keywords: baked mac and cheese, baked mac and cheese recipe, best baked mac and cheese recipe, creamy baked mac and cheese, easy baked mac and cheese

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    photo collage of creamy baked mac and cheese

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    2 Responses
    1. Heidi F.

      5 stars
      I made this for dinner last night and it was a huge hit! My teenage son had thirds! It was easy to make and we will be making it again.

    2. Sydnee

      5 stars
      I was a little apprehensive about this recipe, but when you’re a broke college student and have all the ingredients for something, you make it. OH MY HEAVENS this was incredible!!! The cheese sauce – I could have stuck a straw in the pot and drank it all. I was so pleased with this recipe. WOW it was so yummy, and super simple to make!

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