California Pizza Kitchen Officially Launches Pizza-Inspired Baked Mac ‘N’ Cheese—For a Limited Time
California Pizza Kitchen (CPK), the beloved restaurant brand known for reimagining pizza with bold flavors and inventive twists, is turning a hush-hush fan obsession into a nationwide treat. Starting today, CPK is officially rolling out its crave-worthy, pizza-inspired Baked Mac ‘N’ Cheese lineup to dine-in guests across the United States. But there’s a catch—this comfort-food-meets-pizza mashup will only be available for a limited time.
The move marks the latest in CPK’s long tradition of culinary creativity. Ever since it opened its first location in Beverly Hills in 1985, the brand has been unafraid to push boundaries—whether that meant introducing unexpected pizza toppings like barbecue chicken, bringing global flavors into casual dining, or now, turning its top-selling pizzas into indulgent bowls of cheesy, oven-baked pasta.
From Secret Menu to Center Stage
Earlier this year, CPK quietly tested its new Mac ‘N’ Cheese lineup, offering the dishes exclusively for takeout. The concept was simple but irresistible: take the toppings from some of the restaurant’s most beloved pizzas and swap the crust for CPK’s creamy, spiral pasta-based Mac ‘N’ Cheese. The result? A new way to enjoy familiar flavors with all the nostalgic comfort of homemade pasta.
But CPK didn’t make a big splash about the launch—at least, not at first. Instead, the menu’s existence spread through word of mouth and a playful twist of fate. In a tongue-in-cheek social media campaign, CPK jokingly claimed that a “rogue intern” had leaked the secret menu. Fans quickly picked up on the buzz and began asking for the dishes in dining rooms across the country, despite them being officially “off-menu.”
That groundswell of guest enthusiasm is exactly what inspired CPK to give the Mac ‘N’ Cheese lineup a well-deserved spotlight.
The Flavors: Five Pizza-Inspired Creations
The limited-time menu features five unique Baked Mac ‘N’ Cheese varieties, each rooted in one of CPK’s best-selling pizzas. Instead of pizza dough, the base is CPK’s signature spiral pasta, coated in creamy cheese sauce and baked to bubbling perfection in the brand’s signature hearth oven.
- BBQ Chicken Baked Mac ‘N’ Cheese – The original CPK pizza that started it all back in 1985 now has a pasta counterpart. Expect the tangy sweetness of CPK’s iconic BBQ sauce, tender grilled chicken, smoky Gouda, and a fresh cilantro garnish for that familiar signature finish.
- Burnt Ends BBQ Baked Mac ‘N’ Cheese – Rich, smoky brisket burnt ends blend with molten cheese for a decadent, hearty dish, topped with tangy pickled red onions for a flavorful punch.
- Carne Asada Baked Mac ‘N’ Cheese – Charred, marinated steak meets bright cilantro pesto, with roasted salsa verde for a fresh-meets-fiery flavor combination that redefines comfort food.
- Five-Cheese Baked Mac ‘N’ Cheese – The ultimate indulgence for cheese lovers, featuring Mozzarella, Monterey Jack, smoked Gouda, and Romano all melting together in rich, creamy harmony.
- Wild Mushroom Baked Mac ‘N’ Cheese – Earthy cremini mushrooms paired with a medley of premium cheeses create a deep, savory umami experience.
A Sweet (and Spicy) Encore: Nashville-Style Hot Honey Pizza Returns
While the Baked Mac ‘N’ Cheese dishes take center stage, CPK is also bringing back another fan-favorite from summer 2023: the Nashville-Style Hot Honey Pizza. This crowd-pleasing creation blends the trendy heat of Nashville hot chicken with the sweet kick of hot honey, creating a flavor profile that’s bold, balanced, and addictively craveable.
The pizza features crispy, hand-battered chicken seasoned with spicy cayenne, fresh mozzarella, housemade ranchito sauce, crunchy dill pickle slices, and a generous drizzle of Mike’s Hot Honey® – Extra Hot. It’s a perfect mash-up for those who like their comfort food with a little fire.
Mocktails with a Twist: Now Available Spiked
Responding to another area of guest demand, CPK is giving a grown-up twist to its popular line of refreshing mocktails. Two long-standing favorites—the Strawberry Mango Cooler and the Cucumber Reviver—are now available in “spiked” versions, allowing diners to enjoy them as either non-alcoholic sippers or spirited cocktails.
- Strawberry Mango Cooler – Fresh strawberries blended with Fresca, mango, guava, and a touch of ginger. Now available with a splash of Tito’s Vodka, Bacardi Rum, or Bombay Sapphire Gin for a refreshing adult beverage.
- Cucumber Reviver – A rejuvenating mix of freshly puréed pineapple and cucumber, torn mint, and agave sour, topped with sparkling water. Guests can add their choice of premium spirit for a customized cocktail experience.
This expanded beverage offering is part of CPK’s broader effort to give guests more ways to personalize their dining experience. Whether diners are looking for a nostalgic non-alcoholic drink or something a little stronger, the choice is theirs.
Limited-Time, Maximum Flavor
While CPK hasn’t revealed an exact end date for the Baked Mac ‘N’ Cheese menu, the brand has made it clear: these dishes are a seasonal indulgence, not a permanent fixture—at least for now. The limited run is designed to keep the offerings fresh and exciting, while also giving the brand flexibility to experiment with future menu innovations.
For guests, that means one thing—if the idea of BBQ Chicken Mac or Carne Asada Mac sounds too good to pass up, it’s best not to wait.
CPK’s Culinary Legacy of Reinvention
California Pizza Kitchen has built its reputation on a willingness to color outside the culinary lines. From pioneering nontraditional pizza toppings to blending global cuisines with American classics, the brand has consistently kept its menu dynamic and forward-thinking. This latest launch underscores CPK’s understanding of its audience—delivering comfort food that taps into nostalgia while still surprising the palate.
The “secret menu” backstory adds another layer of fun, showing that in the era of social media, sometimes the best marketing comes from a playful wink and a nudge rather than a big, polished announcement. The buzz generated by the supposed “intern leak” speaks to the connection CPK has with its customers—a relationship where humor, creativity, and good food all play a role.
As the Baked Mac ‘N’ Cheese lineup rolls out nationwide, CPK fans have the opportunity to taste the kind of innovation that has defined the brand for nearly four decades. Whether it’s the smoky bite of brisket in the Burnt Ends BBQ Mac, the citrusy-herbal zing of Carne Asada Mac, or the pure decadence of Five-Cheese Mac, the new menu invites diners to experience their favorite flavors in a completely different way.
In short, CPK has once again proven that when it comes to comfort food with a twist, they’re more than willing to think outside the pizza box.
