Macaroni and Cheese Pizza Bake

I am not a huge fan of boxed macaroni and cheese - especially when there are so many good and tasty homemade recipes using real cheese out there! However, I typically have a couple boxes for "emergencies" in my pantry - and then they sit there for a really long time and I start thinking I should probably use them or toss them. Macaroni and Cheese Pizza Bake to the rescue! I found this recipe while browsing AllRecipes and thought it looked like something my family would probably enjoy - and they all did! Everyone in the house ate this one up happily.

I thought this was a good, quick meal to serve up - good with a Caesar salad and some cheesy garlic bread on the side too. I love that everyone was happy with this dish, and would definitely make it again - but skip the boxed mac and used a homemade version (unless I had a couple boxes in need of rescuing from the pantry again)! :)

Also, if you want the mixture more heavily seasoned or "Italian flavored" - you can always mix in some Italian seasoning, minced garlic, and / or garlic powder to the macaroni and cheese mixture before pouring into the baking dish.

Source: Amazon

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Macaroni and Cheese Pizza Bake from Chad on AllRecipes

Ingredients

2 (7.25 ounce) packages macaroni and cheese mix
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup milk
1 egg, beaten
3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 (16-ounce) jar spaghetti sauce (such as Classico Four Cheese)
1 (4-ounce) package sliced pepperoni, or to taste
Optional: 1/2 lb ground beef cooked with 1/2 small diced onion
Italian seasoning and garlic powder, to taste

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
2. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until cooked through but firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain and return pasta to pot. Add butter, milk, and powdered cheese mixes to macaroni; stir until evenly mixed.
3. Stir the beaten egg into macaroni and cheese until incorporated. Add 1 cup mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese stirring until just combined. (Note: if you are using the cooked ground beef and onion, mix it into the pasta along with the cheeses before moving onto the next step).
4. Spread the macaroni and cheese mixture into the prepared baking dish; evenly spread the pizza sauce over the top. Sprinkle the remaining 2 cups mozzarella cheese over sauce. Cover the cheese layer with pepperoni and season with Italian seasoning and garlic powder.
5. Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is melted, about 30 minutes.

*Full Disclosure: I received complimentary product from AYL for the purpose of review. I received no compensation for this post. All comments are 100% accurate and 100% my own.