Cheesy Mac & Cheese Pizza Delight
Elevate your pizza night to a whole new level with this mouthwatering Cheesy Mac & Cheese Pizza Delight. Instead of a traditional crust, this innovative recipe uses creamy, cheesy macaroni as a base, providing a unique twist on classic pizza. Topped with a rich blend of cheeses, fresh vegetables, and delightful mini pepperoni, every bite is a harmonious explosion of flavors and textures. Perfect for family gatherings or casual get-togethers, this pizza will be a hit with both kids and adults alike. Serve it hot and enjoy the gooey goodness!
6-8 servings
Servings
437
Calories
16
Ingredients
Ingredients
milk
2 cups (none)
cream cheese
8 ounces (diced)
Velveeta cheese
3 ounces (diced)
Monterey Jack cheese
3 cups (shredded (2 cups in sauce, 1 cup topping))
sharp cheddar cheese
3 cups (shredded (2 cups in sauce, 1 cup topping))
elbow macaroni
1 lb (cooked for 6 minutes and drained, rinsed with cool water)
marinara sauce
1 cup (none)
red onion
1/2 (sliced into 1/2 moon strips)
red bell pepper
1/2 (cut into julienne strips)
green bell pepper
1/2 (cut into julienne strips)
mini pepperoni
2 ounces (none)
panko breadcrumbs
1 cup (none)
olive oil
3 tablespoons (none)
Italian seasoning
1 1/2 teaspoons (none)
kosher salt
to taste (none)
ground black pepper
to taste (none)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C).
2
In a large pot over medium heat, combine the milk, diced cream cheese, and Velveeta cheese. Stir the mixture continuously until the cheeses have completely melted and the mixture begins to simmer.
3
Once simmering, whisk in 2 cups of shredded Monterey Jack cheese and 2 cups of sharp cheddar cheese. Keep stirring until all the cheese has melted and is well combined.
4
Carefully fold the cooked elbow macaroni and marinara sauce into the cheese mixture until fully combined. Season with kosher salt and ground black pepper to taste.
5
Spread the mac and cheese mixture evenly onto a large baking sheet to form a 'crust'.
6
Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded Monterey Jack cheese and 1 cup of sharp cheddar cheese over the mac and cheese base.
7
Top with sliced red onion, julienned red and green bell peppers, and mini pepperoni, distributing them evenly across the surface.
8
In a medium bowl, mix together the panko breadcrumbs, olive oil, Italian seasoning, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Sprinkle this breadcrumb mixture generously over the entire pizza.
9
Bake in the preheated oven for about 15-20 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and crispy, and the cheese is melted and bubbling.
10
Remove from the oven, let cool slightly, slice, and serve warm. Enjoy your delicious creation!
Nutrition Information
22g
Fat
40g
Carbs
18g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cheesy Mac & Cheese Pizza Delight?
It is an innovative recipe that uses creamy, cheesy macaroni as a base instead of a traditional pizza crust, topped with cheeses, vegetables, and pepperoni.
What serves as the crust for this pizza?
The crust is formed by spreading a mixture of cooked elbow macaroni, cheese sauce, and marinara sauce evenly onto a large baking sheet.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe is designed to provide 6 to 8 servings.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving of this mac and cheese pizza contains approximately 437 calories.
At what temperature should the oven be preheated?
The oven should be preheated to 450 degrees Fahrenheit (232 degrees Celsius).
What types of cheese are used in the sauce?
The sauce is made using milk, diced cream cheese, Velveeta cheese, shredded Monterey Jack, and sharp cheddar cheese.
How long should the elbow macaroni be cooked before adding it to the mix?
The macaroni should be cooked for 6 minutes, then drained and rinsed with cool water.
Is there marinara sauce in this recipe?
Yes, 1 cup of marinara sauce is folded into the macaroni and cheese mixture before forming the crust.
What vegetables are used as toppings?
The pizza is topped with sliced red onion, julienned red bell pepper, and julienned green bell pepper.
What meat is included in the recipe?
The recipe calls for 2 ounces of mini pepperoni to be distributed across the surface.
How is the crispy breadcrumb topping made?
It is made by mixing panko breadcrumbs with olive oil, Italian seasoning, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
How long does the pizza need to bake?
Bake the pizza for 15 to 20 minutes until the topping is golden brown and the cheese is bubbling.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each serving contains 22 grams of fat.
How much protein is in a serving?
Each serving provides 18 grams of protein.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
There are 40 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
How should the red onion be prepared?
The red onion should be sliced into half-moon strips.
What is the preparation for the bell peppers?
Both the red and green bell peppers should be cut into julienne strips.
How much cream cheese is needed?
The recipe requires 8 ounces of diced cream cheese.
What total amount of Monterey Jack cheese is used?
A total of 3 cups of shredded Monterey Jack cheese is used (2 cups in the sauce and 1 cup for topping).
What total amount of sharp cheddar cheese is used?
A total of 3 cups of shredded sharp cheddar cheese is used (2 cups in the sauce and 1 cup for topping).
What kind of breadcrumbs are recommended?
The recipe specifically calls for 1 cup of panko breadcrumbs.
How much Velveeta cheese is added?
The recipe uses 3 ounces of diced Velveeta cheese.
What seasonings are used in the panko mixture?
Italian seasoning, salt, and ground black pepper are mixed with the panko and olive oil.
How do you prepare the macaroni after boiling?
After boiling for 6 minutes, it should be drained and rinsed with cool water.
Is the cheese sauce made over heat?
Yes, the milk and cheeses are combined in a large pot over medium heat until melted and simmering.
What is the final texture of the topping?
The final topping should be golden brown and crispy.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 16 total ingredients listed for this recipe.
Should the pizza be served immediately?
The recipe recommends letting it cool slightly after removal from the oven before slicing and serving warm.
What type of salt is suggested for seasoning?
Kosher salt is suggested for seasoning both the sauce and the breadcrumb topping.
What is the role of olive oil in the recipe?
Three tablespoons of olive oil are mixed with the breadcrumbs to help them brown and become crispy in the oven.