Description
Delicious and comforting Mac and Cheese Breadsticks combine creamy homemade mac and cheese with soft, golden-baked pizza dough. Perfect as an appetizer or snack, these cheesy breadsticks are easy to make and great for sharing, served warm with your favorite marinara or ranch dipping sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
Macaroni and Cheese
- 1 cup elbow macaroni
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup milk
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Dough and Topping
- 1 package refrigerated pizza dough
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley (optional)
- Marinara or ranch for dipping
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prepare for baking the breadsticks.
- Cook Macaroni: Cook the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Make Cheese Sauce: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour and cook for about 1 minute to form a roux. Slowly add the milk while whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Cook until the sauce thickens slightly, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Season and Add Cheese: Stir in salt, black pepper, and garlic powder into the sauce. Add the shredded sharp cheddar cheese and stir until fully melted and smooth.
- Combine Macaroni with Cheese Sauce: Mix the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce until well coated. Remove the mixture from heat.
- Prepare Dough: Unroll the refrigerated pizza dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Gently stretch it into a rectangular shape suitable for folding.
- Assemble Breadsticks: Spread the mac and cheese mixture evenly over one half of the dough, leaving a small border around the edges. Fold the other half of the dough over to cover the filling and press the edges firmly to seal.
- Cut and Top: Use a sharp knife or pizza cutter to cut the folded dough into strips for breadsticks. Sprinkle the top with grated Parmesan cheese evenly.
- Bake: Bake the breadsticks in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes, or until they turn golden brown and cooked through.
- Serve: Let the breadsticks cool slightly before separating them. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired, and serve warm with marinara or ranch dipping sauce.
Notes
- For a quicker version, use pre-made mac and cheese instead of making the cheese sauce from scratch.
- Add crumbled cooked bacon or chopped jalapeños into the mac and cheese mixture before assembling for extra flavor and spice.
- Ensure the dough is well sealed around the edges to prevent the cheesy filling from leaking during baking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
