Pizza Pasta

This Pizza Pasta is the ultimate kid-friendly pasta! Pasta is combined with a cheesy tomato sauce and mini pepperoni. This is the perfect blend of flavors that will satisfy even the pickiest eaters.

I love a good family friendly pasta dish, like this pizza pasta. The kids also go crazy for this Creamy Mac and Cheese, this Baked Ravioli, and this Ham and Cheese Pasta with Ranch.

We love all things pizza. And we love all things pasta.

So it’s probably pretty obvious that when you combine the two, you’re going to have a winner.

This recipe is basically a pizza-fied version of mac and cheese. You make a creamy cheese sauce with onions, garlic, and mozzarella. Then to that sauce, add in some tomato sauce and spices, along with some pepperoni. Mix in your pasta and bake it with some extra cheese on top. Super easy – and so delicious.

If you’ve got kids that love pizza and pasta, I can bet that they will devour this. And the adults will love it, too!

Ingredients

• Pasta: You want to use a short cut pasta. I like rotini in this recipe, but you could use penne or even macaroni.
• Butter: I always like to use unsalted butter so I can better control the amount of salt.
• Onion & Garlic: These are both used for flavor.
• Flour: The flour will thicken up the sauce.
• Milk: I keep 2% milk on hand, so that is what I use.
• Cheese: Keeping with the pizza theme, I use mozzarella cheese.
• Tomato Sauce: I used a plain tomato sauce and added in the spices.
• Italian Seasoning: The Italian seasoning will add in that pizza flavor that usually comes from the pizza sauce. You could also use some oregano and basil if you don’t have Italian seasoning on hand.
• Pepperoni: If you can find the mini pepperoni, they are the easiest to use for this recipe. You can also use full size pepperoni and just cut it into smaller pieces.

How to Make Pizza Pasta

Start by cooking your pasta until al dente, then drain.

While the pasta is cooking, make the sauce. Start by cooking the onion in the butter, then add the garlic and the flour.

Whisk in the milk, and let it cook until it has slightly thickened.

Stir the cheese in in batches until it is melted and combined.

Stir in the tomato sauce and the Italian seasoning.

Add the pasta.

Then add your cooked and drained pasta and stir it all together.

Transfer the mixture to a baking dish, then top with the remaining cheese and bake until the cheese is melted.

Tips and Tricks

The original recipe that was posted here was made in individual serving bowls. You can totally do that still, but I think cooking it all in one baking dish is easier.

I like to add on some fresh basil before serving.

Feel free to add in any of your other favorite pizza toppings.

This pizza pasta actually reheats quite well. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator. Leftovers can be reheated in the microwave, or cover and bake in the oven until heated through.

More Pizza Inspired Recipes

Pizza Bagels
Pepperoni Pizza Dip
Pizza Dogs
Pizza Grilled Cheese
Pizza Cups

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Pizza Pasta

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Author: Deborah Harroun

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes minutes

Servings: 8 servings

Course: Main Dish

Cuisine: Italian

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This Pizza Pasta is the ultimate kid-friendly pasta! Pasta is combined with a cheesy tomato sauce and mini pepperoni. This is the perfect blend of flavors that will satisfy even the pickiest eaters.

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Ingredients

• ▢ 1 pound rotini pasta or other short cut pasta
• ▢ 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• ▢ 1 small onion diced
• ▢ 3 cloves garlic minced
• ▢ 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• ▢ 2 cups milk
• ▢ 2 1/2 cups shredded Mozzarella cheese, divided
• ▢ 1 (16-oz) can tomato sauce
• ▢ 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• ▢ 6 ounces mini pepperoni (can also chop up full sized pepperoni)

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Spray a 3 quart baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Salt generously, then add the pasta and cook until al dente. Drain and reserve.
• While the pasta is cooking, place a large pot or pan over medium-high heat. Add the butter and melt. Once melted, add in the onions and cook until the onions are tender. Add the garlic and cook another 30 seconds.
• Sprinkle the flour into the pan and whisk until there are no clumps. Cook for a minute or two, then slowly whisk in the milk. Cook the mixture until it is slightly thickened.
• Working in 3 batches, whisk in 2 cups of the Mozzarella, making sure all of the cheese is melted in between additions. Add in the tomato sauce and then the Italian seasoning. Stir in the pepperoni, then stir in the reserved pasta.
• Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Top with the remaining cheese.
• Bake the pasta until the cheese is melted and bubbling, 15-20 minutes.

Recipe Notes:

Nutrition information provided as an estimate only. Various brands and products can change the counts. Any nutritional information should be used as a general guide.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1/8 of recipe, Calories: 560kcal (28%), Carbohydrates: 53g (18%), Protein: 25g (50%), Fat: 29g (45%), Saturated Fat: 15g (94%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Cholesterol: 72mg (24%), Sodium: 907mg (39%), Fiber: 5g (21%), Sugar: 8g (9%)

Keywords: family friendly, kid-friendly, pasta recipe, pizza pasta, pizza recipe