Description
A delicious and comforting Mac and Cheese Pizza combining creamy homemade mac and cheese with classic pizza flavors. This recipe features a crispy pizza crust topped with sharp cheddar mac and cheese, mozzarella, Parmesan, and aromatic herbs, baked to golden perfection in under 40 minutes. Perfect for a fun twist on traditional pizza night.
Ingredients
Scale
Mac and Cheese
- 8 ounces elbow macaroni
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Pizza Base & Toppings
- 1 pre-made pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Mac and Cheese: Cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain well and set aside to cool slightly.
- Make the Roux: In a medium saucepan, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Stir in the all-purpose flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 1-2 minutes until the mixture forms a smooth roux without browning.
- Thicken the Sauce: Gradually whisk in the milk and heavy cream, continuing to stir until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon, about 5 minutes.
- Add Cheese and Seasonings: Remove from heat and stir in the shredded sharp cheddar cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes smooth.
- Combine Macaroni and Cheese Sauce: Mix the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce until fully coated. Set this mac and cheese mixture aside to cool slightly while preparing the pizza.
- Preheat the Oven: If using a pizza stone, preheat the oven to 475°F (245°C). Otherwise, preheat to 450°F (230°C) if using a baking sheet.
- Prepare the Pizza Dough: On a floured surface, roll out the pre-made pizza dough to your desired thickness and size.
- Transfer Dough: Place the rolled dough onto a lightly greased pizza stone or baking sheet to prepare for topping.
- Brush with Olive Oil: Lightly brush the surface of the dough with olive oil to enhance flavor and promote browning.
- Add Mozzarella Cheese: Evenly sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the oiled pizza dough, creating a cheesy base layer.
- Top with Mac and Cheese: Spoon the prepared mac and cheese evenly on top of the mozzarella layer, spreading gently to cover the surface.
- Add Parmesan and Seasonings: Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the mac and cheese, then season with dried oregano, dried basil, and red pepper flakes if desired for a hint of spice.
- Bake the Pizza: Place the pizza in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and starting to brown.
- Cool Before Serving: Remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes to set the toppings and make slicing easier.
- Slice and Serve: Cut the pizza into wedges and serve immediately while warm. Enjoy your indulgent Mac and Cheese Pizza!
Notes
- You can use homemade pizza dough for a fresher taste or store-bought for convenience.
- If you prefer a thinner crust, roll the dough thinner before baking.
- Add red pepper flakes cautiously to control the spice level.
- Using a pizza stone helps achieve a crispier crust but is not required.
- Leftover pizza can be reheated in an oven or air fryer to maintain crispiness.
