Best 4 Italian Mac N Cheese Recipes

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Indulge in a delightful culinary journey with our curated collection of Italian Mac and Cheese recipes. These dishes creatively blend the classic American comfort food with the vibrant flavors of Italy. From the traditional Baked Italian Mac and Cheese, featuring a crispy breadcrumb topping and a rich, cheesy sauce, to the innovative Skillet Italian Mac and Cheese, where tender pasta meets a creamy sauce infused with Italian herbs and sun-dried tomatoes, our recipes offer a range of options to satisfy every palate. For a lighter take, try the Italian Mac and Cheese with Roasted Vegetables, where roasted zucchini, bell peppers, and mushrooms add a colorful and healthy twist. And for a unique flavor combination, the Italian Mac and Cheese with Pesto Sauce introduces the refreshing taste of basil pesto, creating a dish that is both comforting and exciting. Whether you're craving a hearty and nostalgic meal or seeking a creative twist on a classic, our Italian Mac and Cheese recipes are sure to impress.

Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!

ITALIAN MACARONI AND CHEESE



Italian Macaroni and Cheese image

A rich creamy Italian macaroni cheese made the Italian way with a thick cheese fondue. This is a decadent meal that you will savor.

Provided by Kit

Categories     dinner

Time 12m

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 cup Pasta
1/2 cups Heavy Cream
3/4 cup Rocchetta Cheese, cubed
1/3 cup Parmesan
Ground Black Pepper
Optional: top with toasted breadcrumbs

Steps:

  • Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. As soon as the water comes to a boil, add the pasta and stir. While the pasta cooks, prepare the cheese fondue. Heat the cream in a saucepan over medium low heat until it is steaming but not bubbling. Add the rocchetta cheese, and stir until it melts. Keep it steaming hot until the pasta is ready. Undercook the pasta just a little, you want to let it finish cooking right in the cheese fondue. Once the pasta is very very al dente, drain it and add it to the cheese fondue and let it cook in the sauce for 2 minutes. Then add the parmesan, stir, and divide the macaroni and cheese between two bowls. Top with freshly ground black pepper, and toasted breadcrumbs if you like, and serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 427 calories, Carbohydrate 34 grams carbohydrates, Cholesterol 81 milligrams cholesterol, Fat 27 grams fat, Fiber 2 grams fiber, Protein 12 grams protein, SaturatedFat 17 grams saturated fat, ServingSize 1, Sodium 418 grams sodium, Sugar 3 grams sugar, TransFat 1 grams trans fat, UnsaturatedFat 8 grams unsaturated fat

MACARONI AND CHEESE



Macaroni and Cheese image

Provided by Giada De Laurentiis

Categories     main-dish

Time 45m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

Butter, for greasing dish
12 ounces wide egg noodles
2 cups heavy cream
2 1/2 cups whole milk
2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more for pasta water
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 cups (packed) grated Fontina
3/4 cup (packed) finely grated Parmesan
3/4 cup (packed) grated mozzarella
4 ounces cooked ham, diced, optional
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
  • Butter a 13 by 9-inch glass baking dish and set aside. Cook the noodles in a large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to bite, stirring frequently, about 5 minutes. Drain well, but do not rinse.
  • Whisk the cream, milk, flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and pepper in large bowl to blend. Stir in 1 cup Fontina, 1/2 cup Parmesan, 1/2 cup mozzarella, ham, if using, and parsley. Add the noodles and toss to coat. Transfer the noodle mixture to the prepared baking dish. Toss the remaining 1 cup Fontina, 1/4 cup Parmesan, and 1/4 cup mozzarella in a small bowl to blend. Sprinkle the cheese mixture over the noodle mixture. Bake until the sauce bubbles and the cheese melts and begins to brown on top, about 20 minutes. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

STOVETOP ITALIAN MACARONI



Stovetop Italian Macaroni image

It's not every day that a cost-conscious menu pleases both the eye and the stomach, but this scrumptious stovetop entree does just that. -Laila Zvejnieks, Stoney Creek, Ontario

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 25m

Yield 5 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 pound ground beef
1 can (28 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
2 cups water
1 envelope onion soup mix
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional
2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

Steps:

  • In a Dutch oven, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Add the tomatoes, water, soup mix, Italian seasoning and, if desired, pepper flakes. Bring to a boil. Stir in macaroni. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 8-9 minutes or until macaroni is tender., Remove from the heat; stir in Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Cover and let stand for 2 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 410 calories, Fat 17g fat (8g saturated fat), Cholesterol 76mg cholesterol, Sodium 969mg sodium, Carbohydrate 34g carbohydrate (7g sugars, Fiber 4g fiber), Protein 30g protein.

ITALIAN THREE-CHEESE MACARONI



Italian Three-Cheese Macaroni image

My husband is a self-proclaimed mac-and-cheese connoisseur and says that this is his favorite version. The Italian seasoning and tomatoes really complement the pasta and cheeses. -Adriane Mummert, Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 1h20m

Yield 12 servings (1 cup each).

Number Of Ingredients 13

4 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
1/2 cup butter, cubed
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
4 cups 2% milk
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) diced tomatoes, undrained
2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup dry bread crumbs
2 tablespoons butter, melted

Steps:

  • Cook macaroni according to package directions., Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350°. In a small saucepan, melt butter. Stir in flour, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper until smooth; gradually add milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir 2 minutes or until thickened. Remove from the heat; stir in cheddar and Parmesan cheeses until melted. Drain macaroni., Spread 1 cup cheese sauce in a greased 13x9-in. baking pan. Layer with half of macaroni, tomatoes and cheese sauce. Repeat layers. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Combine bread crumbs and butter; sprinkle over top., Cover and bake 40 minutes. Uncover and bake 10-15 minutes longer or until golden brown and bubbly. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 402 calories, Fat 23g fat (13g saturated fat), Cholesterol 66mg cholesterol, Sodium 763mg sodium, Carbohydrate 33g carbohydrate (8g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 17g protein.

Tips:

  • Use high-quality ingredients for the best flavor. Look for a good quality pasta, a flavorful cheese blend, and fresh vegetables.
  • Don't overcook the pasta. Cook it according to the package directions, or slightly al dente.
  • Make sure the cheese sauce is thick and creamy. Use a roux or cornstarch to thicken the sauce, if necessary.
  • Add some vegetables to the mac and cheese for a healthy twist. Broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots are all good options.
  • Top the mac and cheese with a breadcrumb topping for a crunchy texture.
  • Store leftover mac and cheese in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Conclusion:

Italian mac and cheese is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It's a great comfort food for a cold winter night or a potluck dinner. With so many different variations, there's sure to be a recipe that everyone will love. So next time you're looking for a new pasta dish to try, give Italian mac and cheese a try. You won't be disappointed!

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