Italian Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (2024)

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A delicious, extra cheesy take on traditional mac and cheese, this Italian Macaroni and Cheese recipe will have your entire family asking for seconds. This is simply an outstanding homemade baked macaroni and cheese recipe.

Italian Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

Want a good, easy recipe the entire family will enjoy? Here you go. This Italian mac and cheese is an excellent lunch, side with soup, side with dinner (or as dinner itself). It is a grown-up Italian mac and cheese that the kids will love too!

If you like lots of cheese in your macaroni and cheese, this is the recipe for you! Made with an Italian flair, this creamy mac and cheese recipe is a terrific pasta dish the whole family will enjoy.

Ooey-gooey cheesy goodness in a baked mac and cheese recipe – what could be better? This classic comfort food recipe has an Italian twist. Make it as a meal, as a side dish, to serve for adults or children; it’s all good!

Tips and variations for making this Italian macaroni and cheese recipe:

● If you do not have a Dutch oven, use a large, squat pot.
● Once the macaroni and cheese is removed from the oven, sprinkle with more Parmesan cheese if desired.
● Garnish with Italian Seasoning, recommended fresh basil, hot sauce, or grated Parmesan.
● There is no meat in this recipe. Adding cooked Italian sausage or cooked ground beef is possible, but I have never done so and cannot make cook time recommendations with those added ingredients. I would suggest draining the cooked sausage and cooked ground beef to remove the fat (use a paper towel to make sure all the grease is removed). There are other added protein ideas (like ground chicken or pepperoni) I am sure you might enjoy, but the ground beef and cooked sausage seem most likely.
● Store leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

If you would like more recipes that provide an Italian flair, try these:

Italian Ricotta Cheese Cookies Recipe
Hearty Italian Baked Ziti Recipe
Italian Beef Recipe

Italian Macaroni and Cheese Recipe Ingredients:

● 12 oz Elbow Macaroni
● 6 TBSP Butter
● 1/3 cup Flour
● 2½ cups Milk
● ¾ cup White Wine
● 1 tsp Ground Mustard
● 1 tsp Salt
● 1 tsp Garlic Powder
● ½ tsp Pepper
● ½ tsp Dried Oregano
● ½ tsp Dried Basil
● 12 oz Mozzarella Cheese, shredded
● 8 oz Monterey Jack Cheese, shredded
● 1 cup Parmesan, shredded
● Fresh Basil for garnish

Italian Macaroni and Cheese Mise en Place:

Dutch oven
Colander
Measuring Cup
Whisk
Measuring Spoons
13×9 Baking Dish

Italian Macaroni and Cheese Recipe Directions:

1. preheat oven to 400˚.
2. In a Dutch oven, cook the macaroni until al dente and drain the macaroni in a colander.
3. Return the empty Dutch oven to the stovetop, and over low heat melt the butter.
4. Increase heat to medium, add the flour and cook 2 minutes, whisking constantly.

5. Raise the heat to medium-high and slowly whisk in the milk a ½ cup at a time. Whisk until smooth after each addition.
6. Keep whisking until it starts to simmer, continue whisking, and slowly whisk in the wine.
7. Add the ground mustard, salt, garlic powder, pepper, oregano, and basil; whisk to combine.

8. Add the cheeses a handful at a time whisking until the cheese completely melts between each addition.

9. Add the al dente macaroni and stir to combine.

10. Pour the mixture into a greased 13″x9″ pan and bake at 400˚ until bubbly and browned for approximately 15-20 minutes.

11. Serve hot garnished with chopped fresh basil.

Yield: 1

Italian Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

Italian Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (12)

Italian Macaroni and Cheese Recipe. A delicious, extra cheesy take on traditional mac and cheese, this Italian Macaroni and Cheese recipe will have your entire family asking for seconds. This is simply an outstanding homemade baked macaroni and cheese recipe.

Prep Time15 minutes

Cook Time40 minutes

Total Time55 minutes

Ingredients

  • 12 ounces Elbow Macaroni
  • 6 tablespoons Butter
  • 1/3 cup All-purpose Flour
  • 2 ½ cups Milk
  • ¾ cup White Wine
  • 1 teaspoon Ground Mustard
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
  • ½ teaspoon Black Pepper
  • ½ teaspoon Dried Oregano
  • ½ teaspoon Dried Basil
  • 12 ounces Mozzarella Cheese, shredded
  • 8 ounces Monterey Jack Cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup Parmesan, shredded
  • Fresh Basil for garnish

Instructions

    1. preheat oven to 400˚.
    2. In a Dutch oven cook over medium heat bring water to a rolling boil and cook the macaroni according to box directions for pasta cook time until al dente and drain the macaroni in a colander.
    3. Return the empty Dutch oven to the stovetop, and over low heat melt the butter.
    4. Increase heat to medium, add the flour, and cook for 2 minutes whisking constantly.
    5. Raise the flame to medium-high heat and slowly whisk in the milk a ½ cup at a time. Whisk until smooth after each addition.
    6. Keep whisking until it starts to simmer, continue whisking, and slowly whisk in the wine.
    7. Add the ground mustard, salt, garlic powder, pepper, oregano, and basil; whisk to combine.
    8. Add the cheeses a handful at a time whisking until the cheese completely melts between each addition.
    9. Add the al dente macaroni and stir to combine.
    10. Pour the mixture into a greased 13″x9″ pan and bake at 400˚ until bubbly and browned for approximately 15-20 minutes.
    11. Serve hot garnished with chopped fresh basil.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving:Calories: 498Total Fat: 31gSaturated Fat: 19gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 95mgSodium: 1007mgCarbohydrates: 23gFiber: 1gSugar: 1gProtein: 26g

Note: for exact nutritional information, consult your dietitian. All nutritional information provided is simply a guideline.

First Published: September 21, 2015

Last Updated: August 30, 2021

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Italian Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How does Gordon Ramsay make the best mac and cheese? ›

Preparation
  1. In a large pot over medium heat, combine the pasta and milk. ...
  2. Once the pasta is cooked, remove the pan from the heat and add the butter, cheddar cheese, salt, and pepper. ...
  3. Divide between serving bowls and top with the bread crumbs.
  4. Enjoy!
  5. All your favorite recipes, stored in one place.
May 4, 2023

What is the thickening agent in mac and cheese? ›

Butter and flour: This makes our roux, which thickens the cheese sauce. Milk: Keeps our cheese sauce super creamy.

What kind of pasta is best for mac and cheese? ›

By definition, classic macaroni and cheese should be made with, well, macaroni, a style broadly defined as any short, cylindrical extruded pasta. This includes tubes like ziti, penne, rigatoni and, yes, elbows, as well as corkscrew shapes like fusilli.

What are the three best cheeses for mac and cheese? ›

What Is the Best Cheese for Mac and Cheese? Sharp cheddar is the overwhelming popular choice, but for extra-creamy results, we think medium cheddar is even better. Other delicious options include Gruyère, smoked Gouda, and Monterey Jack.

What keeps mac and cheese moist? ›

Keep baked macaroni and cheese moist by adding plenty of milk and not too much flour.

What can I add to mac and cheese to make it tastier? ›

8 Ways to Elevate Your Macaroni and Cheese Dinners
  1. Add extra cheese to your dish.
  2. Mix in some hot sauce and chicken to make buffalo chicken mac n' cheese.
  3. Add in vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower and spinach.
  4. Sprinkle some bacon bits or breadcrumbs on the top of your dish.
  5. Add spices and fresh herbs to your dish.
May 21, 2022

How do you cut the richness in mac and cheese? ›

What can I add to homemade Mac and cheese to balance the richness of the cheeses? A lot of recipes add a little dry mustard and a bit of worcestershire sauce to the bechamel before adding the cheese, off heat of course.

Why is spiral mac and cheese better? ›

They have more texture.

I've always been drawn to the chew factor that comes with mac and cheese shapes. Unlike the original noodles, which can turn into a mushy mess once their cooked, shapes tend to hold their rigid structure.

Can you put too much cheese in mac and cheese? ›

Can you put too much cheese in mac and cheese? Yes, adding more cheese than a recipe calls for will not improve the dish. Too much cheese will result in a dish that is heavy and greasy.

How to fix tasteless mac and cheese? ›

Try adding a little more salt first, because that might fix it. If the problem was the cheese you use doesn't have much flavor, then try adding some other flavors, such has mustard or hot sauce. The next time you make it, try to find some more strongly flavor cheese, or adding more cheese.

Why do people put flour in mac and cheese? ›

Both the flour and the cheese help thicken the sauce.

What is spiral macaroni called? ›

Cavatappi (Italian: [kavaˈtappi]; lit. 'corkscrews') is macaroni formed in a helical tube shape. Certain areas of the US and Canada may also refer to it as "double elbows" or "scoobi doo" pasta, purportedly because of their resemblance to scoubidou.

Is there a difference between mac and cheese and macaroni cheese? ›

Macaroni and cheese (also known as mac and cheese in Canada and the United States and macaroni cheese in the United Kingdom) is a dish of macaroni and a cheese sauce, most commonly cheddar sauce.

What president invented mac and cheese? ›

James Hemings: The Enslaved Chef of Thomas Jefferson Who Created Mac and Cheese.

What to add to mac and cheese to make it better? ›

8 Ways to Elevate Your Macaroni and Cheese Dinners
  1. Add extra cheese to your dish.
  2. Mix in some hot sauce and chicken to make buffalo chicken mac n' cheese.
  3. Add in vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower and spinach.
  4. Sprinkle some bacon bits or breadcrumbs on the top of your dish.
  5. Add spices and fresh herbs to your dish.
May 21, 2022

What adds Flavour to mac and cheese? ›

Cayenne, Nutmeg, Black Pepper, and Dry Mustard

Simply add ½ teaspoons of cayenne, black pepper, and dry mustard with a dash of nutmeg to a mixture of 1 egg and 1 cup (0.24 l) of heavy cream. Pour this spice mixture on top of your traditional mac and cheese recipe before baking.

How do you increase the flavor of cheese in mac and cheese? ›

Boil it better

Skip the draining step, and add more milk as the noodles cook, if needed. Once al dente, stir in an extra 1 cup of shredded cheese and voila: less powdered cheese flavor, more homemade vibes and a hint of cheesy goodness infused right into the macaroni itself.

How to make mac and cheese taste less bland? ›

Try adding a little more salt first, because that might fix it. If the problem was the cheese you use doesn't have much flavor, then try adding some other flavors, such has mustard or hot sauce.

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