Weeknights just got a whole lot better with this smashup of two favorites in one, Pepperoni Pizza Mac and Cheese Skillet! Rich and creamy, loaded with cheese, super easy to make, and you can add whatever pizza toppings you like! Turn your boring Monday night into something fun that the whole family will enjoy!
I love to cook, but I’m no Wonder Woman! I have my days, too, just like you, where I sometimes feel like I’m just emotionally and physically exhausted.
And it’s times like these that I like to just say the heck with it, and whip up something that’s tasty, but oh so simple!!
The other day was one of them. I was just so tired, and already fretting over the upcoming holidays, that I literally threw this together, and BOY was it ever good!
I started with a stupid-easy, no-brainer macaroni and cheese mixture, and simply added a little pizza sauce into it for extra flavor.
And the best part? There’s no béchamel sauce to mess with! Nope! Just noodles, cheeses, cream, and pizza sauce! How easy is that?
I was all out of any other pizza toppings other than the last of the pepperoni, but at this point, you can certainly add chunks of cooked sauce, or sautéed peppers and mushrooms, black olives, whatever kind of pizza toppings that you enjoy!
But save that pepperoni for the top!
Once the mac ‘n cheese was done, I piled it onto one of my little single-serving, cast iron fajita pans for extra fun!
(*Don’t forget to give your pan a light oiling. You don’t want any cheese to stick!)
But you can dump it into small baking bowls or into one casserole dish if you’d like.
This is actually plenty for 2 people, because even my hearty-eater hubby with a Texas-sized appetite couldn’t finish it!
But if serving more than two, make sure that you double or even triple this!
Next comes more sauce! I used the last of some of my homemade Robusto Pizza Sauce, but you can use whatever kind you like!
Just spoon as much or little as you want right over the top, but don’t be shy with it, or it won’t have that delicious pizza flavor!
Handfuls of shredded mozzarella-provolone blend cheese go on next, along with some grated fresh parmesan cheese!!
Don’t be skimpy with that, either! This is to be a fun treat!
Lastly, I topped it with some paper thin slices of pepperoni from the deli!
I popped the little skillet into the oven…..
…and baked it until all of the cheeses had melted!
*I did turn the broiler on for just a minute, too, to crisp up the pepperoni a little more. Just watch so that nothing burns!
Since these little pans stay hot, make sure you put the little hot pad handle covers on the handles! Cast iron can really cause a nasty burn, and we sure don’t want that to happen!
It’s easy to forget to not touch the handle!
Now, isn’t this just the cutest presentation? I just love these little pans!!
And they really make even the easiest, most simple meals, feel like it’s not only something special, but that you’re dining at your favorite corner pizza hangout!
And just wait until you TASTE it!!!
I’m not kidding you! (And I never kid about food!) This was really extra good!! I was pleasantly surprised!!
Super creamy, super cheesy, and loaded with wonderful flavor!!
So are you about ready for a bite?
Open wide!!!
And enjoy pulling all of that yummy pizza cheese!!! The fun part!!
With the busy holiday blindsiding us, it’s always nice to have to go-to easy supper recipe, and believe me, this is it!
Your entire family is absolutely going to LOVE this Pepperoni Pizza Mac and Cheese, and it’s crazy-easy to make! A fraction of the cost of dining out or ordering in, and just as delicious!
Hope you all enjoy!
*Be sure to add this keeper to one of your Pinterest Boards for sake keeping and easy reach! You’re going to want to make this!
Pepperoni Pizza Mac and Cheese Skillet
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups uncooked macaroni noodles
- 6 oz. (10 slices) white American cheese cut up
- 3 Tbl. heavy cream
- 2 Tbl. my homemade Robusto Pizza Sauce or your favorite
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella and provolone blend cheese such as Sargento
- 1/4 - 1/2 cup more pizza sauce
- more shredded cheese
- grated parmesan cheese to taste
- 6 - 8 thin slices pepperoni
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375º F.
In large saucepan, bring some water to a boil, add a small palmful of salt and the macaroni noodles, and cook according to box directions. Drain and return to pan. Add American cheese and heavy cream, and stir until cheese has fully melted.
Stir in sauce, then fold in mozzarella and provolone.
Lightly oil 1 - 2 single serving cast iron fajita skillets, or small baking dishes, and pile on the mac & cheese.
Spoon as much pizza sauce as you like over the top. Top with handfuls of mozzarella-provolone cheese. Grate parmesan over shredded cheese. Top with slices of pepperoni.
Pop into the oven and bake until pepperoni is crispy and shredded cheese has melted. *If a more crispy pepperoni is desired, you can turn it up to broil at the end, but watch closely so that you don't burn it (or the mac & cheese).
