Pepperoni Pizza Macaroni and Cheese
Updated
Updated
This Pepperoni Pizza Macaroni and Cheese is two awesome comfort foods in one! I’ve taken two of my favorite meals and combined them into this super easy, one-pot dish. I love that it comes together in just 20 minutes and is a guaranteed winner with the whole family.
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Easy Pepperoni Pizza Mac and Cheese Recipe
Last week, I asked my Facebook readers, “What ingredient do you love so much, that if you see it used in a recipe, you’ll want to make it?” It was a really fun thread.
Not surprisingly, so many people said chocolate. A close second was cheese. Nothing specific—just cheese, in general. And many others said pizza and pasta. So, I’d say this recipe for Pepperoni Pizza Macaroni and Cheese is perfect for them!
It’s two of my favorite classic comfort foods in one. Bonus that it’s super easy, quick, and only requires one pan—you know how much I hate cleaning!
Pepperoni Pizza Macaroni and Cheese
Ingredients
- 2½ cups low-sodium chicken broth
- ¾ cup marinara pasta sauce
- ¾ tsp garlic powder
- ¾ tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp dried Italian seasoning
- 3 tsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 medium sweet onion, diced
- 5 oz. package mini pepperoni
- ⅛ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 2 cups dried macaroni pasta
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup grated Mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the broth, marinara sauce, garlic powder, salt, and Italian seasoning. Set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, warm the olive oil. Saute the onions until soft and translucent, about 3 minutes. Add pepperoni to the pan and mix until wilted, about 1 minute. Add the red pepper flakes and combine.
- Give your broth mixture a quick stir and pour it into the pan. Bring to a boil and add the macaroni.
- Reduce the heat to medium, and cover. Continue cooking for 10-12 minutes, until the pasta is tender, stirring a few times to make sure the pasta isn’t sticking to the bottom of the pan.
- When the macaroni is done, sprinkle the grated cheeses on top. Stir until melted and serve immediately.
Video
Nutrition
Nutritional information given is an automatic calculation and can vary based on the exact products you use and any changes you make to the recipe. If these numbers are very important to you, I would recommend calculating them yourself.
Did you make this? Leave a rating below!How to Make Pepperoni Pizza Mac and Cheese Step by Step
Combine the sauce ingredients: In a medium bowl or measuring cup, whisk 2½ cups of broth, ¾ cup of marinara sauce, ¾ tsp of garlic powder, ¾ tsp of salt, and ½ tsp of Italian seasoning.
Sauté the onions and pepperoni: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, warm 3 tsp of olive oil. Sauté 1 onion until soft and translucent, add 4 oz of mini pepperoni, and mix until wilted. Stir in ⅛ tsp of red pepper flakes and combine.
Add the sauce and pasta: Give the broth/marinara sauce mixture a quick stir and pour it into the pan, bring to a boil, and add 2 cups of macaroni.
Reduce the heat to medium, cover, and continue cooking for 10-12 minutes, until the pasta is tender, stirring to make sure the pasta doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pan.
Stir in the cheese and serve: When the macaroni is done, sprinkle with ½ cup grated Parmesan and ½ cup grated mozzarella cheese. Stir until melted and serve immediately.
Serving Suggestions
With pasta, cheese, and pepperoni, this dish is hearty and filling, but I do like to round it out to a complete meal. I usually serve it with homemade garlic bread and a simple side salad or cucumber tomato salad to balance it all out.
Proper Storage
Allow to cool completely, then transfer to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator. It is best eaten within 3 days.
The noodles will absorb a lot of the liquid and get mushy once defrosted, so freezing leftovers is not my preference, but you can. Transfer to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
Gently reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a bit of chicken broth to loosen, if necessary.
This was the bees knees and simple to put together. I admit I was skeptical but. I’m a believer now wow kids couldn’t get enough
I made this. We have alot of allergies to food so I was skeptical by replacing it with the different meat that we can eat. This was an outstanding meal didn’t take long at all everything came out great wow what a difference in the hot summer this was a great fantastic meal thank you
I was skeptical mixing the broth and marinara together but by the time this was all finished, wow! Genius. And it tasted delicious. I’m inspired to try different combinations like sausage and pepperoni or Supreme!
I loved this recipe so much. I had some of the leftovers from my all cheese platter that i got from the gourmet box, and the cheese went so well with your pizza recipe! Loved it!
I made this last night and it tastes just like pizza! I loved it!! But I mean Mac-n -Cheese is the best thing ever.
pretty darn genius! My girls will LOVE this!
Amy, you nailed it. This is so cool. I bet my kids would go crazy for this one.
I can’t believe how simple of a concept this and I’d never thought of it. And the flavor is AWESOME.
With all that flavor, this has to be good. Can’t wait to try.
HOW is she your daughter? Mac and cheese is like a part of life. Seriously? Knife –> Heart.
On a lighter note, yum! How fun is this recipe?
Oh my gosh, oh my gosh <– exactly what my brain screamed when I opened this recipe page! My husband loves ALL THINGS PIZZA and I LOVE MAC AND CHEESE, it's like a perfect match made in heaven!
This was seriously such a good flavor combo for Mac – and super easy!
It is the mini pepperoni that take this from awesome to downright AMAZING.
Dannggg that looks awesome! I just made pizza casserole last night and was really pleased how it turned out. Definitely need to try this :)
A world/life without pasta and/or cheese would be very sad indeed! I can pretty much always be convinced to make a recipe based on it’s cheesiness. The more cheese the better obviously! Want to stick my face in this bowl.
Oh my goodness, as if mac & cheese isn’t comfort food enough, you add pizza? Brilliant!
You have taken two epic foods and turned them into one! This is a bowl of pure pizza and pasta glory.
This was so delicious! My kids gobbled it up…and so did I!
Seriously, these mac & cheese posts are KILLING me. So much cheesy goodness! Those teeny pepperonis are adorable.
You just combined 2 favorites, need this for dinner soon!
I love the Italian twist on this!!! My husband would adore this version!
My kids want to move in with you! I will have to make this for my almost 9 year olds birthday, both of his fav foods in one!!
Oh wow! I can’t… I don’t even… I feel strongly that I need this Mac in my life. Yum!
Look at those little pepperonis! LOVE this
This is such a good idea!!! I bet you could change it up with your favourite pizza toppings too – I’m thinking some sliced black olives? :)
I feel the same. Cheese. Pasta. Who cares about the specifics. I want it! :D
And this sounds so so good! Way more fun than the regular stuff. :)