Italian Cheddar Bake Macaroni Cheese Casserole

Dive into the ultimate comfort food with this Italian Cheddar Bake Macaroni Cheese Casserole—a rich and creamy twist on a classic favorite. This irresistible dish combines tender elbow macaroni with a luscious, velvety cheese sauce made from a trio of sharp cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan. Infused with bold Italian seasoning, garlic, and onion powders, each bite is bursting with savory flavor. Topped with golden, crispy panko breadcrumbs and finished with a sprinkle of fresh parsley, this casserole is baked to perfection in just 25 minutes. Ideal for family dinners, potlucks, or a cozy night in, this Italian-inspired macaroni and cheese recipe is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. Ready in under an hour, it’s comfort food elevated!

Nutriscore Rating: 54/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 250 grams elbow macaroni
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 3 cups whole milk
• 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 0.5 teaspoons garlic powder
• 0.5 teaspoons onion powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoons black pepper
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish with butter or non-stick cooking spray and set it aside.

Step 2

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

Step 3

In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour to create a roux. Cook for 1-2 minutes until lightly golden.

Step 4

Gradually whisk in the milk, ensuring there are no lumps. Continue stirring and cook for 3-4 minutes until the sauce begins to thicken.

Step 5

Reduce heat to low and stir in the cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese. Mix until the cheeses are fully melted and the sauce is smooth.

Step 6

Add the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper to the cheese sauce. Stir until well combined.

Step 7

Combine the cooked macaroni with the cheese sauce in a large mixing bowl, ensuring all the pasta is evenly coated.

Step 8

Transfer the macaroni mixture to the prepared casserole dish and spread it out evenly.

Step 9

In a small bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs with olive oil until the breadcrumbs are lightly coated. Sprinkle the breadcrumbs evenly over the macaroni and cheese in the casserole dish.

Step 10

Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until the top is golden brown and bubbling.

Step 11

Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving.

Step 12

Serve warm and enjoy your Italian-inspired cheesy masterpiece!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1552.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3795.6

Total Fat 212.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 121.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.1g
Cholesterol 619.8mg	0%
Sodium 6493.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 297.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 12.3g	0%
Total Sugars 49.8g
Protein 182.2g	0%

Vitamin D 370.1IU	0%
Calcium 4244.5mg	0%
Iron 15.8mg	0%
Potassium 1499.3mg	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: 49.9%

Protein: 19.0%

Carbs: 31.1%