Description
Indulge in creamy comfort with this Italian Mac and Cheese, a delicious twist on the classic, featuring penne pasta enveloped in a rich, cheesy sauce with Italian seasoning, mozzarella, provolone, and a touch of Parmesan. Ready in under 30 minutes, this dish makes a satisfying main course perfect for any night of the week.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 1 pound penne
Sauce
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 2 cups milk
Cheeses
- 3 cups shredded cheese (such as mozzarella, provolone, or a blend)
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
Garnish
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, rinse briefly with cold water to stop the cooking process, and set aside.
- Make Sauce: In a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter. Add the all-purpose flour and Italian seasoning, whisking the mixture constantly. Cook for about 2 minutes to eliminate the raw flour taste while infusing the butter with herbs.
- Finish Sauce: Gradually pour in the milk, whisking continuously to prevent lumps. Allow the sauce to come to a gentle simmer so it thickens slightly. Stir in the shredded cheese (mozzarella, provolone, or blend) and Parmesan. Continue whisking until the cheeses are completely melted and the sauce is smooth, creamy, and well combined.
- Add Pasta: Add the cooked penne to the cheesy sauce in the pot. Toss well to ensure every piece of pasta is fully coated in the rich Italian cheese sauce.
- Garnish & Serve: Sprinkle the red pepper flakes over the mac and cheese for a hint of heat. Serve immediately, optionally topping with extra Parmesan if desired.
Notes
- For extra flavor, use a blend of mozzarella and provolone with smoked cheeses or fontina.
- Add sautéed spinach, roasted tomatoes, or cooked Italian sausage for variation.
- Rinsing the pasta helps it stop cooking and prevents sticking, but you may skip this step if you prefer the starch to help thicken the sauce.
- Use freshly grated cheese for best melting and texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Main-course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 recipe
- Calories: 545
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 510mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 57g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
