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

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

I notice that when I share the recipe, folks seem unphased by the copious amounts of cheese I use but are a little taken aback by the mustard. I get it, it's a relatively assertive flavor that doesn't exactly seem to fit with melty cheese, but the acidity in the mustard helps cut through the richness.

What does maccheroni mean in Italian? ›

Etymology. In Italian, maccheroni refers to elongated pasta, not necessarily in tubular form. This general meaning is still retained outside Rome and in different languages which borrowed the word.

What are the 3 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 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

Why isn't my homemade mac and cheese creamy? ›

This is due to the pasta absorbing more liquid over time, and the sauce itself becoming more “solid” as it cools. So, to ensure a creamy mac and cheese, make the sauce just a little looser than you think it needs to be. (Add more milk, a tablespoon at a time to adjust the consistency).

What does adding an egg to mac and cheese do? ›

But if you like a casserole texture, the eggs would help hold it together. I have before, yes. It gives it more of a baked casserole taste/texture, which I really like. Yes, I have used a recipe that called for eggs in the mac & cheese.

Can I use sour cream instead of milk for mac and cheese? ›

Sour Cream

There are a couple of reasons this is such a good substitute. For one thing, since sour cream is thicker than regular milk, it doesn't thin out the cheese sauce as much. That means that you can add more sour cream and still get a creamy finish.

What are the ingredients in Gordon food Service mac and cheese? ›

COOKED ENRICHED MACARONI PRODUCT (WATER, SEMOLINA [MILLED WHEAT, NIACIN, FERROUS SULFATE, THIAMINE MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID]), WATER, CHEDDAR CLUB CHEESE (CHEDDAR CHEESE [CULTURED PASTEURIZED MILK, SALT, ENZYMES], WATER, SALT, ANNATTO [COLOR]), CHEDDAR CHEESE (PASTEURIZED MILK, CHEESE CULTURES, SALT, ENZYMES ...

How can I make my mac and cheese better? ›

10 ways to take mac 'n' cheese to the next level:
  1. Make the sauce with brown butter.
  2. Add evaporated milk.
  3. Choose the right cheese.
  4. Choose the perfect pasta.
  5. Double up on breadcrumbs.
  6. Boost the flavour with Marmite.
  7. A hit of heat.
  8. Extra seasoning.

What recipe is Gordon Ramsay famous for? ›

Top 10: Recipes that made Gordon Ramsay Famous
  • Beef Wellington. gordon ramsay's beef wellington recipe. ...
  • Coq au Vin. gordon ramsay's Coq au Vin recipe. ...
  • Beef Stroganoff. gordon ramsay's Beef Stroganoff recipe. ...
  • Chicken Piccata. ...
  • Rack of Lamb. ...
  • Baked Salmon with Lemon and Dill. ...
  • Shrimp Scampi. ...
  • Beef and Guinness Stew.

What is Gordon Ramsay's favourite cheese? ›

Gordon Ramsay often opts for high-quality ingredients in all his recipes. While specific cheese brands used in his burgers on various shows or in his restaurants are not typically disclosed, he emphasizes using top-quality, mature cheddar cheese.

References

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