If there are two things that I can always count on being home runs in my house, it is macaroni and cheese and pizza. In fact, cheers erupt throughout my house when the kids see us making our famous homemade pizza dough. So, obviously, the smart thing to do is combine the two. Pizza and mac n cheese come together like a match made in heaven in this 30 minute dinner recipe. It has all the rich creaminess of a great macaroni and cheese recipe with the beautiful flavors of Italian seasonings that you find in pizza.
How to Make Pizza Mac N Cheese
Making a Roux
The key to creamy sauces is making a roux. A roux, or thickening agent, is the combination of a fat and flour. In this recipe the fat is butter, but it can be any fat. For example, in our New England Clam Chowder, the fat we use to make the roux is bacon fat. It can be a little tricky to make a roux in the beginning, but after a few times, you will become a pro.
Cooking Pasta
While perhaps the most simple form of cooking, there are a few tips when it comes to cooking noodles that I always love to give.
Use any noodle you like. In this recipe, we are using elbow macaroni, but you could use any other small noodle. Shells would be great. (You could even use gluten free noodles and almond flour to make the roux.)Bring the water to a full boil. You need to use 6 quarts of water to boil these noodles. Make sure the water is at a roaring boil before you put the pasta in.Salt the water. Add 1 to 2 teaspoons of kosher salt to the boiling water. It seasons the noodles and helps bring the whole dish together.Time the pasta. Make sure to cook the noodles for the short end of the range on the box. The noodles should have a small bite to them because they will continue to cook when we bake the macaroni and cheese.
Using Shredded Cheese in Macaroni and Cheeese
It is very important for this recipe that you shred your own cheese. Cheese that is pre-shredded just doesn’t melt the same way as block cheese. You will be much happier with the taste and texture of this mac n cheese recipe if you shred your own.
What Pizza Sauce to Use
For this recipe, you can really use any pizza sauce that your family loves. You can cut a little time by using store-bought pizza sauce. Or you can make this completely from scratch by using our homemade pizza sauce.
Storing Leftovers
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. Always use your best judgement when it comes to eating leftovers. Please only reheat the amount you plan on eating, as leftovers shouldn’t be reheated more than once.
Reheating Mac N Cheese
To reheat your macaroni and cheese, put it in the skillet and add a little bit of milk (1 to 2 tablespoons), stirring. Add more milk as needed, stirring regularly until it is heated through. I know you will love this homemade mac n cheese! Please leave me a comment and tell me what your family thinks!
