Italian Style Mac N Cheese

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food makeover with this Italian Style Mac N Cheese, a decadent blend of creamy cheeses and classic Italian flavors. This dish swaps traditional macaroni for tender penne pasta and features a rich, velvety sauce made from four Italian cheeses—Parmesan, mozzarella, provolone, and ricotta—perfectly seasoned with Italian herbs and garlic powder. Topped with a crunchy layer of golden panko breadcrumbs and finished with a garnish of fresh basil, this baked pasta dish is a symphony of textures and flavors. Ready in just about an hour, it’s an irresistible crowd-pleaser for weeknight dinners or special gatherings—bringing the taste of Italy straight to your table. Whether you're searching for a gourmet twist on mac and cheese or a new baked pasta favorite, this recipe promises to deliver cheesy perfection!

Nutriscore Rating: 57/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 450 grams Penne pasta
• 4 tablespoons Unsalted butter
• 3 tablespoons All-purpose flour
• 3 cups Whole milk
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
• 1.5 cups Mozzarella cheese (shredded)
• 1 cup Provolone cheese (shredded)
• 0.5 cup Ricotta cheese
• 1.5 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 2 tablespoons Fresh basil (chopped, for garnish)
• 0.5 cup Panko breadcrumbs
• 1 tablespoon Olive oil

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.

Step 2

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne pasta for 1 minute less than the package instructions recommend. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes to remove the raw taste of flour.

Step 4

Gradually pour in the milk, whisking constantly to create a smooth sauce. Cook for 3-5 minutes until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.

Step 5

Reduce the heat to low and stir in the Parmesan, mozzarella, provolone, and ricotta cheeses. Mix until completely melted and smooth.

Step 6

Add the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to the cheese sauce, and stir to combine.

Step 7

Combine the cooked pasta with the cheese sauce, stirring until the pasta is fully coated.

Step 8

Pour the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly.

Step 9

In a small bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs with the olive oil. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the top of the pasta.

Step 10

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

Step 11

Remove from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Step 12

Garnish with fresh chopped basil before serving. Enjoy your Italian Style Mac N Cheese!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1957.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4866.0

Total Fat 240.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 134.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.1g
Cholesterol 689.7mg	0%
Sodium 8570.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 430.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 18.9g	0%
Total Sugars 39.4g
Protein 255.7g	0%

Vitamin D 346.1IU	0%
Calcium 5745.6mg	0%
Iron 21.9mg	0%
Potassium 2646.4mg	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: 44.1%

Protein: 20.8%

Carbs: 35.1%