Recipe Background
Nostalgia Pizzeria Casserole combines mac and cheese with pizza flavors, perfect for reliving college memories.
The idea for this Nostalgia Pizzeria Casserole came to me during a much-needed game night with old friends. It was the perfect excuse to dive into the pantry staples like mac and cheese for an inventive creation. Who knew that a can of diced tomatoes and a dash of pizza sauce could conjure such vivid memories of our college days when ordering pizza at midnight was practically a ritual? I wanted to blend those cherished late-night flavors with the comforting appeal of a homemade casserole.
We laughed while assembling the dish, the pepperoni and colorful bell peppers scattered across like a childhood pizza party, with extra cheese for good measure. One friend shared a tip to get that irresistible bubbly top: let it bake uncovered to allow the cheese to turn golden and crispy. Tossing fresh basil leaves on top added a finishing touch, a bright reminder of the semester we spent abroad, learning to perfect our pasta dishes in charming Italian kitchens.
This dish became our anchor, connecting us back to those shared experiences. It remained simple, bringing joy without fuss, perfect for savoring amidst laughter and stories. Baking it for the first time marked a milestone in reviving our little traditions without relying on takeout menus.
Ingredients
- 2 (14-ounce) packages Kraft® Deluxe Original Cheddar Mac & Cheese Dinner
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can petite diced tomatoes drained
- 1 (15-ounce) can pizza sauce
- 1 small green bell pepper chopped
- 1 small red bell pepper chopped
- 2 cups Italian cheese blend shredded
- 2 ounces pepperoni sliced
- fresh basil leaves optional, to taste, for garnish
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- In a pot of salted, boiling water, cook the macaroni to al dente, according to the package directions.
- Drain the macaroni and return it to the pot.
- Add the cheese packets and the sour cream to the macaroni and stir until combined.
- Transfer the macaroni and cheese to the prepared baking dish.
- In a small bowl, add the petite diced tomatoes and the pizza sauce and stir to combine.
- Spoon the tomato sauce over the macaroni mixture.
- Top the macaroni mixture with the green bell peppers, the red bell peppers, the cheese, and the pepperoni.
- Bake uncovered until bubbly, about 25-30 minutes.
- Serve hot garnished with the basil leaves.
×