Pizza Macaroni and Cheese

My girls loved this meal! With the combination of macaroni and cheese and pizza, how could they not. In fact they have already asked when I am making it again!

It may not be the healthiest meal, although there are some vegetables in it, but it sure is delicious.

Pizza Macaroni and Cheese

Ingredients:

• 1 pound pennette (small penne)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 green pepper, roughly diced
• 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
• 1 red onion, diced
• 1 teaspoon black pepper, divided
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 15 ounce can diced tomatoes, drained
• 4 ounce package mini turkey pepperoni, divided
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup all purpose flour
• 2 cups fat free milk
• 3 cups Italian cheese blend, shredded
• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning

Directions:

1. Cook pasta according to package directions and drain well.
2. In a large skillet add olive oil and heat up over medium high heat.
3. When the oil is hot, add in the peppers, mushrooms, and red onions. Season with 1/2 teaspoon black pepper and cook until vegetables are softened.
4. Add in the garlic, cook and stir for 30 seconds.
5. Stir in the tomatoes and 1 cup of pepperoni slices.
6. Remove from heat and set aside.
7. In a medium saucepan, over medium heat, melt butter.
8. Add flour and stir constantly until the flour and butter are fully incorporated into each other.
9. Slowly stir in milk and heat to a boil. Continue to boil until slightly thickened.
10. Season with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and Italian seasoning.
11. Reduce heat to low and slowly stir in 2 cups of cheese until melted.
12. Stir the cheese sauce and vegetable into pasta until completely mixed.
13. Pour the mixture into a 9x13 baking dish.
14. Sprinkle with the remaining pepperoni, about 1/4 cup, and remaining cup of cheese.
15. Cook under the broiler until cheese is bubbly and pepperoni is slightly crisp.

Enjoy!!!

Serves: 6
Calories: 723.4
Total Fat: 32.9g
   Saturated: 19.7g
   Polyunsaturated: 0g
   Monounsaturated: 0g
   Trans: 0g
Cholesterol: 86.7mg
Sodium: 1507mg
Potassium: 51.8mg
Total Carbs: 64.4g
   Dietary Fiber:4.4g
   Sugars: 62.g
Protein: 43.3g
Vitamin A: 17.4%
Vitamin C: 11.1%
Calcium: 4.5%
Iron: 23%
*The nutritional information will vary slightly depending on the brands you use.
*Adapted from Cassie Craves.