Layered Mac N Cheese Italiano
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with a flavorful twist in this Layered Mac N Cheese Italiano! This recipe combines creamy, gooey layers of three-cheese macaroni with bold Italian-inspired ingredients like marinara sauce, ricotta, and a fragrant blend of dried herbs. Each bite offers a harmonious medley of textures, from the velvety cheese sauce to the crunchy Parmesan breadcrumb topping, baked to golden perfection. Perfect for family dinners or potlucks, this baked masterpiece seamlessly blends the hearty appeal of mac and cheese with the classic flavors of Italian cuisine. Ready in just over an hour, it’s a crowd-pleasing dish that brings elegance to traditional comfort food.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 16 oz elbow macaroni
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 3 cups whole milk
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1.5 cups ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp ground black pepper
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped)
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 0.75 cup breadcrumbs
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with olive oil and set aside.
Cook the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until it forms a smooth roux.
Gradually whisk in the milk and cook, stirring continuously, until the mixture thickens, about 5 minutes.
Remove the saucepan from heat. Stir in the mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan cheeses until fully melted and smooth. Season with 0.5 tsp salt and 0.25 tsp black pepper. Set the cheese sauce aside.
In a small bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg, garlic powder, oregano, basil, and parsley. Mix until smooth and well combined.
Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
Layer half of the cooked macaroni over the marinara sauce. Spoon half of the ricotta mixture over the macaroni, spreading gently with the back of a spoon.
Drizzle half of the cheese sauce over the ricotta layer. Repeat the layers: remaining macaroni, ricotta mixture, and cheese sauce.
Top the final cheese sauce layer with the remaining 1 cup of marinara sauce, spreading it evenly.
In a small bowl, mix the breadcrumbs with 2 tbsp Parmesan cheese and drizzle with 1 tsp olive oil. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the top of the dish.
Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 15 minutes or until the top is golden brown and bubbling.
Let the dish rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with extra parsley if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
5265 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 246.0 g | 315% | |
| Saturated Fat | 132.3 g | 662% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.1 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 946 mg | 315% | |
| Sodium | 7901 mg | 344% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 515.8 g | 188% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 24.7 g | 88% | |
| Total Sugars | 68.1 g | ||
| Protein | 256.3 g | 513% | |
| Vitamin D | 9.1 mcg | 45% | |
| Calcium | 5444 mg | 419% | |
| Iron | 24.9 mg | 138% | |
| Potassium | 1698 mg | 36% | |
*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.
