Italian Mac Cheese

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Italian Mac & Cheese recipe, a mouthwatering twist on the classic favorite! This creamy, cheesy dish features a luscious blend of Parmesan, mozzarella, Fontina, and ricotta cheeses, infused with fragrant Italian seasoning, a hint of garlic, and a touch of red pepper flakes for subtle heat. Tender elbow macaroni is enveloped in a velvety sauce, baked to perfection with a golden, crispy panko breadcrumb topping. Perfect for cozy family dinners or entertaining guests, this baked mac and cheese is ready in just 45 minutes and garnished with fresh parsley for a burst of vibrant flavor. Bring the taste of Italy to your table with this decadent, crowd-pleasing meal!

Nutriscore Rating: 56/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 12 oz elbow macaroni
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter
• 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 3 cups whole milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 units garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1.5 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1 cup Fontina cheese, shredded
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 0.5 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

Cook the elbow macaroni in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente, according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.

Step 4

Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes to form a roux.

Step 5

Gradually add the milk and heavy cream, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook until slightly thickened, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 6

Stir in the Parmesan, mozzarella, and Fontina cheeses until melted and smooth. Add the ricotta cheese, Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Mix well.

Step 7

Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce, stirring to coat all the pasta evenly.

Step 8

Pour the mac and cheese into a greased 9x13-inch baking dish.

Step 9

In a small bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs with olive oil. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the mac and cheese.

Step 10

Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the top is golden and crispy.

Step 11

Let the dish cool for 5 minutes, then garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2090.2 grams (2090.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	5164

Total Fat 309.40g	397%
Saturated Fat 171.50g	857%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.40g
Cholesterol 915mg	305%
Sodium 6532mg	284%
Total Carbohydrate 379.90g	138%
Dietary Fiber 15.50g	55%
Total Sugars 54.60g
Protein 206.90g	414%

Vitamin D 346IU	1731%
Calcium 4858mg	374%
Iron 19mg	106%
Potassium 1632mg	35%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 54.3%

Protein: 16.1%

Carbs: 29.6%