Donatella's Italian Mac Cheese

Indulge in the luxurious comfort of Donatella's Italian Mac & Cheese, a decadent twist on the classic favorite. This recipe combines creamy Parmesan, fontina, and mozzarella cheeses with a touch of nutmeg, creating a velvety sauce that perfectly coats tender elbow macaroni. Topped with crispy Italian breadcrumbs and fresh parsley, and baked to golden perfection, this dish offers the ultimate blend of creamy and crunchy textures. Perfect for weeknight dinners or special gatherings, this Italian-inspired mac and cheese is both comforting and sophisticated, delivering authentic flavor in every bite. Ready in just 45 minutes, it’s a family-friendly meal you’ll love serving time and time again.

Nutriscore Rating: 55/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 12 oz Elbow macaroni
• 4 tbsp Unsalted butter
• 3 tbsp All-purpose flour
• 3 cups Whole milk
• 1 cup Heavy cream
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1.5 cups Fontina cheese, shredded
• 1 cup Mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 0.25 tsp Ground nutmeg
• 1 tsp Salt
• 0.5 tsp Black pepper
• 0.5 cup Italian breadcrumbs
• 1 tbsp Olive oil
• 2 tbsp Fresh parsley, chopped

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour to form a roux. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring throughout.

Step 4

Gradually whisk in the whole milk and heavy cream, ensuring the mixture is smooth. Continue cooking for 3-5 minutes, or until the sauce thickens.

Step 5

Reduce the heat to low and stir in the Parmesan, fontina, and mozzarella cheeses. Mix until fully melted and smooth.

Step 6

Add the ground nutmeg, salt, and black pepper to the cheese sauce. Stir to combine.

Step 7

Fold the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce, ensuring all the pasta is fully coated.

Step 8

Transfer the mac and cheese into a greased 9x13-inch baking dish, spreading it evenly.

Step 9

In a small bowl, mix the Italian breadcrumbs, olive oil, and fresh parsley. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the top of the mac and cheese.

Step 10

Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until the top is golden and crispy.

Step 11

Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with additional parsley, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1898.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4951.4

Total Fat 280.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 160.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.1g
Cholesterol 769.8mg	0%
Sodium 6842.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 408.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 17.7g	0%
Total Sugars 58.0g
Protein 186.4g	0%

Vitamin D 358.1IU	0%
Calcium 3903.9mg	0%
Iron 19.7mg	0%
Potassium 1590.2mg	0%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 51.5%

Protein: 15.2%

Carbs: 33.3%