Pepperoni Pizza Mac and Cheese

By Taste and Tell

My 3-year-old daughter has proved to be a bit of a picky eater, but there are two things that she will never turn down. Macaroni and cheese and pizza. So what better way is there to get her really excited than a big bowl of Pepperoni Pizza Mac and Cheese? A creamy cheese sauce made with Mozzarella is combined with tomato sauce and Italian spices. Add in your favorite pasta – ours is a whole-wheat penne – and then lots of pepperoni, and you have a bowl full of pizza and macaroni love. Feel free to toss in your favorite pizza toppings, like sausage, peppers, or mushrooms, and you’ll have a mac and cheese the whole family will love!

Pepperoni Pizza Mac and Cheese
Serves 6

Ingredients:

1 pound whole wheat penne pasta
4 tablespoons butter
1 small onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 tablespoons flour
2 cups milk
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
2 1/2 cups (10 ounces) shredded Wisconsin Mozzarella Cheese
1 (16-ounce) can tomato sauce
5 ounces mini pepperoni, or chopped pepperoni

Instructions:

Preheat the broiler.

Bring a large pot of water to boil. Salt and add the pasta. Cook until al dente; drain and set aside.

In a pan, melt the butter. Add the onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about another minute. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 more minute. Slowly whisk in the milk, whisking out any clumps. Cook until thickened. Stir in the Italian seasoning.

Working in 3 batches, whisk in the Mozzarella, making sure all of the cheese is melted in between additions. Add in the tomato sauce and pepperoni and heat until warmed through. Stir in the reserved pasta.

Transfer the mixture to an oven- safe baking dish, or individual baking dishes and top with additional cheese. Put under the broiler – until the cheese is melted.

Macaroni & Cheese, Mozzarella, pepperoni, pizza, Wisconsin Cheese

3 Responses to “Pepperoni Pizza Mac and Cheese”

1. Adventures in Cooking: Pepperoni Pizza Mac and Cheese « Distinction Without a Difference says:

   February 1, 2012 at 6:15 pm

   [...] second Matt posted this picture and recipe link to pepperoni pizza mac and cheese, I knew I was going to be making it. I’m by no means a [...]
2. Becca says:

   February 3, 2012 at 4:01 pm

   I made this in college all the time, only, my recipe for the cheese sauce is a tad different (but to each his own) and I didn’t have an oven so I found creative ways to bake it but! I added pineapple with the pepperoni, I would recommend trying it, unless you hate pineapple. The sweetness of the fruit goes really well with the mozzarella. I also found this to be better leftover! which was awesome, you know for someone in college.
3. Stephanie says:

   March 20, 2013 at 12:01 am

   Found this via 30 day challenge of super yummy mac & cheeses. Sounds awesome. My 3 yr old loves pepperoni pizza – cannot wait to make this for him! Maybe I can even sneak some extra veggies in Thanks for the great recipe. I like your pictures too. Those mugs are adorable.