Italian Style Mac N Cheese
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food makeover with this Italian Style Mac N Cheese, a decadent blend of creamy cheeses and classic Italian flavors. This dish swaps traditional macaroni for tender penne pasta and features a rich, velvety sauce made from four Italian cheeses—Parmesan, mozzarella, provolone, and ricotta—perfectly seasoned with Italian herbs and garlic powder. Topped with a crunchy layer of golden panko breadcrumbs and finished with a garnish of fresh basil, this baked pasta dish is a symphony of textures and flavors. Ready in just about an hour, it’s an irresistible crowd-pleaser for weeknight dinners or special gatherings—bringing the taste of Italy straight to your table. Whether you're searching for a gourmet twist on mac and cheese or a new baked pasta favorite, this recipe promises to deliver cheesy perfection!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 450 grams Penne pasta
- 4 tablespoons Unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons All-purpose flour
- 3 cups Whole milk
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
- 1.5 cups Mozzarella cheese (shredded)
- 1 cup Provolone cheese (shredded)
- 0.5 cup Ricotta cheese
- 1.5 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
- 2 tablespoons Fresh basil (chopped, for garnish)
- 0.5 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne pasta for 1 minute less than the package instructions recommend. Drain and set aside.
In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes to remove the raw taste of flour.
Gradually pour in the milk, whisking constantly to create a smooth sauce. Cook for 3-5 minutes until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.
Reduce the heat to low and stir in the Parmesan, mozzarella, provolone, and ricotta cheeses. Mix until completely melted and smooth.
Add the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to the cheese sauce, and stir to combine.
Combine the cooked pasta with the cheese sauce, stirring until the pasta is fully coated.
Pour the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly.
In a small bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs with the olive oil. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the top of the pasta.
Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the cheese is bubbling.
Remove from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Garnish with fresh chopped basil before serving. Enjoy your Italian Style Mac N Cheese!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
4866 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 240.3 g | 308% | |
| Saturated Fat | 134.0 g | 670% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.1 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 690 mg | 230% | |
| Sodium | 8570 mg | 373% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 430.9 g | 157% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 18.9 g | 68% | |
| Total Sugars | 39.4 g | ||
| Protein | 255.7 g | 511% | |
| Vitamin D | 8.7 mcg | 43% | |
| Calcium | 5746 mg | 442% | |
| Iron | 21.9 mg | 122% | |
| Potassium | 2646 mg | 56% | |
*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.
