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closeup of italian mac and cheese in a white bowl with a big serving spoon.
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4.64 from 41 votes

Italian Mac And Cheese

Classic comfort food, with an Italian twist! This Italian Mac And Cheese is loaded with cheesy, herbaceous flavor and takes under 30 minutes to make! Penne noodles are smothered in a luscious mozzarella cheese sauce, spiked with Italian seasoning and parmesan.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time18 minutes
Total Time28 minutes
Course: Dinner, Main Course, Pasta
Cuisine: American, Italian
Keyword: italian mac and cheese, mac and cheese
Servings: 6
Calories: 713kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Cook Pasta: Cook the pasta in a large salted pot of boiling water according to package instructions, until al-dente. Drain, rinse with cold water and set aside.
  • Make Sauce: In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and Italian seasoning and whisk. Cook for 2 minutes while whisking continuously.
  • Finish Sauce: Add the milk and whisk until it thickens. Stir in the cheeses and whisk until well combined and smooth.
  • Add Pasta: Add the penne to the pot and toss well making sure the pasta is fully covered in sauce.
  • Garnish & Serve: Garnish with red pepper flakes and serve.

Video

Notes

  1. Use different variations of cheese to make this recipe to your liking
  2. Play around with seasonings and spices. Most people have different palates, so season to your liking!
  3. Add chicken to the mac and cheese for extra protein.
  4. Don't overcook your noodles! Cook to al dente so they don't become too soft and squishy.
  5. Transfer your leftover Italian mac and cheese to an airtight container and keep in the fridge for 2-3 days.
  6. This recipe is best enjoyed fresh, but you can absolutely freeze it for future dinners. It will last up to 6 months stored in an airtight container. Keep in mind after cooked pasta freezes and thaws, it will become a bit softer in texture.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 713kcal | Carbohydrates: 66g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 35g | Saturated Fat: 21g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 99mg | Sodium: 661mg | Potassium: 368mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 1128IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 729mg | Iron: 2mg