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

What are Italian macaroni? ›

Macaroni (/ˌmækəˈroʊni/, Italian: maccheroni) is pasta shaped like narrow tubes. Made with durum wheat, macaroni is commonly cut in short lengths; curved macaroni may be referred to as elbow macaroni.

What to add to macaroni and cheese to make it taste 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 is the difference between macaroni cheese and mac and 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.

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

Do they eat mac and cheese in Italy? ›

Mac and cheese doesn't even exist in Italy. Italians would never add milk mixed with spices to pasta. The cheeses used as a pasta topping or as an ingredient are usually Parmigiano, pecorino sheep cheese or Gorgonzola. There's no cheddar in Italy.

What do Italians mean when they say macaroni? ›

In southern Italy, maccheroni means various kinds of durum wheat semolina pasta, either short or long, hollow or not, smooth or ridged. Maccheroni is a generic name, but every specific type has its own name.

Which cheese is better 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 is the new name of macaroni and cheese? ›

The change from “macaroni and cheese” to “mac & cheese”, is meant to reflect the way fans organically talk about the brand.

Does the type of pasta matter for mac and cheese? ›

Avoid long, thin shapes like spaghetti or linguine. Elbow enthusiasts should also note that there's a new kid in town: Cavatappi, a curly, ribbed noodle that's longer than an elbow, may very well be the platonic ideal for baked macaroni and cheese.

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.

What's in Bob Evans mac and cheese? ›

Cooked Enriched Pasta (Water, Elbow Macaroni [Semolina (Wheat), Niacin, Iron (Ferrous Sulfate), Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid]), Milk, Water, Pasteurized Process Cheese Spread (American Cheese [Pasteurized Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzymes], Water, Whey, Sodium Phosphate, Contains Less than 2% of ...

What is elbow macaroni called in Italy? ›

Elbows, Gomiti or Chifferi in Italian, is named for its twisted tubular shape that can vary in size and be either smooth or ridged. Pasta Elbows originated from Northern and Central Italy, where they are traditionally used in soups.

What is Italian pasta called? ›

Bucatini, spaghetti, tortellini, rigatoni… There are hundreds of different kinds of Italian pastas, each with its own name and delicious sauce.

What is the difference between Macroni and pasta? ›

Macaroni is a category of pasta, typically referring to small to medium-sized pasta shapes. Elbow pasta and penne both fall under the macaroni category of pasta. Penne pasta is a ridged, straight, tube-shaped pasta, whereas elbow pasta is a smooth, curved, tubed-shaped pasta.

Is gnocchi a type of pasta? ›

Gnocchi are a type of miniature pasta dumplings, usually made from wheat, eggs, potatoes. With a lightly dense texture and potato flavor, they are a hearty and unique type of pasta. Gnocchi have been a traditional type of pasta in Italy since Roman times, though they are said to have originated in the Middle East.

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