Description
Creamy Italian Mac And Cheese: Rich pasta baked with gooey cheeses, crispy bacon, and fragrant herbs. A comforting, crowd-pleasing dish.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound (450g) pasta (cavatappi, penne, or traditional elbow macaroni)
- 4 tablespoons (56g) unsalted butter
- 4 tablespoons (30g) all-purpose flour
- 3 cups (720ml) whole milk, warmed
- 1 cup (100g) Parmesan cheese, freshly grated (provides authentic Italian sharpness)
- 1 cup (113g) fontina cheese, shredded (adds incredible creaminess)
- 1 cup (113g) mozzarella cheese, shredded (delivers that classic cheese stretch)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare the Pasta Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil. Add your pasta of choice and cook until 2 minutes shy of al dente according to package instructions. Your pasta will continue cooking in the oven, so this undercooking is crucial for texture perfection. Drain thoroughly but do not rinse—the starch helps the sauce adhere better. Toss with a small drizzle of olive oil to prevent sticking and set aside.
- Step 2: Create the Cheese Sauce In a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Once melted, add the flour and whisk continuously for 2-3 minutes until the mixture becomes fragrant but not colored. You’re looking for that subtle nutty aroma that tells you the raw flour taste is gone. Gradually pour in the warmed milk while whisking vigorously to prevent lumps from forming. Continue cooking for 5-6 minutes until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.
- Step 3: Add the Cheeses and Seasonings Remove your sauce from heat and allow it to cool slightly for 2-3 minutes. Add the cheeses one handful at a time, stirring until completely melted before adding more. This patience ensures the smoothest sauce possible. Stir in the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper. The sauce should be rich, velvety, and fragrant with Italian herbs.
- Step 4: Combine and Prepare for Baking Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Fold your cooked pasta into the cheese sauce, ensuring every piece is evenly coated. Transfer this mixture to a 9×13 inch (23×33 cm) baking dish that’s been lightly greased. In a small bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs, melted butter, additional Parmesan, parsley, and oregano. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the pasta for that signature crunchy Italian topping.
- Step 5: Bake to Perfection Bake your Italian Mac And Cheese uncovered for 20-25 minutes until bubbling around the edges and the topping is golden brown and crispy. For extra color, you can broil for the final 1-2 minutes, but watch carefully to prevent burning. Allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving—this helps the sauce set slightly and prevents tongue-burning temperatures.
Notes
Fresh ingredients will always yield the best flavor results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 450 calories per serving
- Sugar: 3 grams
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 25 grams
- Saturated Fat: 15 grams
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 grams
- Trans Fat: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 40 grams
- Fiber: 2 grams
- Protein: 20 grams
- Cholesterol: 70 mg