Description
This Easy Macaroni and Cheese Pizza recipe combines two ultimate comfort foods into one delicious dish, featuring a crispy golden crust topped with creamy, cheesy macaroni baked to perfection. It offers a gooey, rich experience with satisfying textures, perfect for cozy nights, casual dinners, or sharing at parties.
Ingredients
Scale
Pizza Base
- 1 store-bought or homemade pizza dough (enough for one 12-inch pizza)
Macaroni and Cheese
- 1 cup elbow macaroni
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Optional: 1/2 teaspoon paprika or mustard powder
Topping (Optional)
- Extra shredded mozzarella cheese, for sprinkling
- Extra grated parmesan cheese, for sprinkling
Instructions
- Cook the Macaroni: Boil the elbow macaroni in salted water according to package instructions until just tender. Drain and set aside, avoiding overcooking to maintain a firm bite.
- Prepare the Cheese Sauce: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour to form a smooth roux. Gradually pour in the milk while continuously stirring to prevent lumps. Cook until the sauce thickens and becomes creamy. Remove from heat, then stir in the cheddar, mozzarella, and parmesan until fully melted. Season with salt, pepper, and optional paprika or mustard powder.
- Combine Pasta with Cheese Sauce: Add the drained macaroni to the cheese sauce and gently stir to coat each piece evenly, creating the macaroni and cheese topping.
- Prepare the Pizza Crust: Roll out the pizza dough onto a greased baking sheet or pizza stone. For a crispier base, pre-bake the crust at 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes. Remove from the oven.
- Assemble the Macaroni and Cheese Pizza: Spread the creamy macaroni and cheese mixture evenly over the pre-baked pizza crust. Sprinkle extra mozzarella and parmesan cheese on top for enhanced cheesiness.
- Bake Until Golden: Bake the assembled pizza in a preheated oven at 425°F (220°C) for 12-15 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and the crust edges are golden brown.
- Serve and Enjoy: Remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool slightly before slicing. Serve warm for a gooey, cheesy delight.
Notes
- Use sharp cheddar cheese for depth and richness in flavor.
- Do not overcook the macaroni to prevent sogginess.
- Pre-baking the crust ensures a crispy base despite the moist topping.
- Mixing cheeses (cheddar, mozzarella, parmesan) creates ideal flavor and meltability.
- Allow the pizza to rest a few minutes before slicing to keep toppings intact.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of pizza
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg