{"id":53388,"date":"2018-01-01T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2017-09-09T00:20:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/origin-www.tasteofhome.com\/recipes\/italian-three-cheese-macaroni\/"},"modified":"2024-06-11T14:08:05","modified_gmt":"2024-06-11T19:08:05","slug":"italian-three-cheese-macaroni","status":"publish","type":"recipe","link":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/recipes\/italian-three-cheese-macaroni\/","title":{"rendered":"Italian Three-Cheese Macaroni"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What if you could combine a trip to Italy with your favorite comfort food? That kind of curiosity led to this Italian mac and cheese (noting that no plane trip is required; this can easily be enjoyed from the comfort of your own home). This Italian mac and cheese recipe delights an older audience.\u00a0 If you want to cook a gourmet dinner for one or impress a dinner party and still win the stamp of approval from kiddos, this is your go-to.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This Italian-style mac and cheese nods to the land of la dolce vita with the addition of tomatoes and Italian seasoning. Don&#8217;t worry, the cheese remains the true star of the show.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Italian Mac and Cheese Ingredients <i>\u202f<\/i><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Elbow macaroni: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s the classic choice for mac and cheese for a reason. Its shape lets it best soak up the cheese sauce (so every bite is equally cheesy), and the hollows result in air pockets that help balance the dish\u2019s richness.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Butter: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The butter combines with the flour to make a roux, helping create a rich, thick cheese sauce.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>All-purpose flour: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019ll want to use all-purpose flour because it has the ideal amount of protein to make the cheese sauce.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Italian seasoning: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Helping put the \u201cItalian\u201d in \u201cItalian mac and cheese,\u201d this seasoning consists of herbs and spices, like oregano, rosemary and thyme. You can also make <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Italian seasoning<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> at home.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>2% milk: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Milk provides the liquid for the sauce, helping it stay nice and creamy. Whole milk will also work here if that\u2019s what you have available, though it may make the dish creamier.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Cheddar cheese<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Cheddar melts well and provides a sharper flavor that cuts through some of the creaminess. Exactly how creamy your mac and cheese turns out depends on the strength of your cheddar. The less sharp, the creamier it will be.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Parmesan cheese: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Parmesan cheese adds salty and nutty flavors to the cheese sauce for greater depth and complexity. Ideally, use freshly grated Parmesan for the best flavor.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Canned tomatoes<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Making up some of the layers of this dish, tomatoes provide sweetness and acidity to balance the cheese sauce and add an unexpected zing to a typical mac and cheese recipe.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Mozzarella cheese<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Mozzarella is a critical cheese to include because it has pull and stretch. Just make sure to watch your quantities here, adding too much makes the dish too stringy.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Bread crumbs<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Part of the topping, bread crumbs will add a nice crunch to the soft pasta and cheese.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Directions\u202f\u202f\u202f\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n<h3><b>Step 1: Cook the pasta<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cook macaroni according to the package&#8217;s directions.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Editor\u2019s Tip: <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Since the pasta will continue to be cooked in the oven, aim for al dente so it doesn\u2019t become too soft.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Step 2: Make the cheese sauce<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While the pasta is cooking, preheat the oven to 350\u00b0F. In a small saucepan, melt the butter. Stir in the flour, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper until smooth. Then gradually add the milk and bring the sauce to a boil. Cook and stir for two minutes or until thickened. Remove from the heat. Stir in the cheddar and Parmesan cheeses until they&#8217;re melted. Drain the macaroni.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Editor\u2019s Tip: <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You want the pasta hot for the next step.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Step 3: Make your layers\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Spread 1 cup of cheese sauce in a greased 13&#215;9-inch baking pan. Layer it with half of the macaroni, tomatoes and cheese sauce. Repeat the layers. Sprinkle with the mozzarella cheese. Combine the bread crumbs and butter and sprinkle this over top.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Step 4: Bake your mac and cheese\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cover the dish and bake for 40 minutes. Uncover and bake 10 to 15 minutes longer, until the dish is golden brown and bubbly. Let it stand for five minutes before serving.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Italian Mac and Cheese Variations<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Don\u2019t chicken out: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To make this Italian mac and cheese recipe a little heartier and protein-filled, add chicken (you could use <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">rotisserie<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to cut down on prep time) to the layers.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Add garlic goodness: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For extra flavor, add some garlic powder to the cheese sauce. A powder will distribute more evenly here than minced garlic.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Try a savory showstopper: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Give this mac and cheese an umami kick by putting pancetta on top.<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While \u201cless\u201d Italian, you can also sprinkle on bacon bits.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Get spicy: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Add a dash of cayenne pepper to your cheese sauce. It\u2019ll add a nice little kick while accentuating the cheesy flavors.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>\u00a0How to Store Italian Mac and Cheese<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can store this dish in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Can you freeze Italian mac and cheese?<i> <\/i><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes. Freezing your Italian mac and cheese is a great way to make sure you don\u2019t waste leftovers. It&#8217;s also a great solution for meal preppers.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> This dish will last for three months in the freezer. Let it thaw overnight in the fridge before serving. Note that the pasta will soften after thawing and reheating.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Italian Mac and Cheese Tips<\/h2>\n<h3>Can I use pasta types other than elbow macaroni?<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While elbow is the pasta of choice for this Italian mac and cheese bake, you can mix it up. We recommend using pasta with hollows or other distinctive shapes, like hollows or crannies perfect for absorbing the cheesy sauce. Think farfalle, shells or penne.<\/span><b><br \/>\n<\/b><\/p>\n<h3>What can I serve with Italian baked mac and cheese?<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Try serving this dish with hearty meats like <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">fried chicken<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">meatloaf<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. And don\u2019t forget your veggies! We love it with <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">garlic Brussels sprouts<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lemon broccoli<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>What should I use if I don\u2019t have canned tomatoes?<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can use stewed or fresh tomato in place of canned. We prefer canned when fresh tomatoes aren\u2019t in season because they\u2019re typically stored at peak ripeness and flavor. <\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Your dream Italian vacation meets the ultimate comfort food in this Italian mac and cheese that&#8217;s creamy and indulgent.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6879,"featured_media":2052294,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"ep_exclude_from_search":false},"tags":[303972,304032,306302,303971,306928,306910,304292,305487,303966,304988,340638,303887,306848,340649,307536,306317,304268,306960,306961,307514,306297,324623,303883,307614,305031],"categories-v2":[308503,308623,312163,308500,309924,309906,308988,308481,308305,310796,308495,308935,340804,308478,309603,340814,310514,312180,259483,309959,309961,310497,312156,309177,308476,310591,308975],"coauthors":[51494],"recommended_recipes":[{"post_title":"Old-Fashioned Macaroni and 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Macaroni","post_link":"\/recipes\/cheeseburger-macaroni\/","post_image":"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/recipeFallback.jpg"}],"acf":{"long_pin":"https:\/\/tmbidigitalassetsazure.blob.core.windows.net\/rms3-prod\/attachments\/37\/1200x1200\/EXPS_TOHD24_47103_KristinaVanni_7.jpg","long_pin_file":false,"ncv_override_generic_settings_option":false,"ncv_autoplay_option":"","ncv_stickyplay_option":"","ncv_ads_option":"","ncv_mute_option":"","ncv_comscore_option":"","ncv_autoplay_mobile_option":"","ncv_viewable_threshold_option":"","ncv_sticky_offset_option":"","ncv_autopause_option":"","ncv_sticky_offset_mobile_option":"","ncv_autopause_mobile_option":"","ncv_sticky_mobile_option":"","ncv_remove_player_option":false,"ncv_moat_option":""},"recipe_schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"Recipe","@id":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/recipes\/italian-three-cheese-macaroni\/","name":"Italian Three-Cheese Macaroni","datePublished":"2018-01-01","dateModified":"2024-06-11","prepTime":"PT30M","cookTime":"PT50M","totalTime":"PT01H20M","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/EXPS_TOHD24_47103_KristinaVanni_7.jpg","height":1200,"width":1200},"recipeCategory":["Dinner"],"description":"Your dream Italian vacation meets the ultimate comfort food in this Italian mac and cheese that's creamy and indulgent.","recipeIngredient":["4 cups uncooked elbow macaroni","1\/2 cup butter, cubed","1\/4 cup all-purpose flour","2 teaspoons Italian seasoning","1 teaspoon salt","1 teaspoon pepper","4 cups 2% milk","2 cups shredded cheddar cheese","1\/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese","2 cans (14-1\/2 ounces each) diced tomatoes, undrained","2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese","1\/2 cup dry bread crumbs","2 tablespoons butter, melted"],"recipeInstructions":[{"@type":"HowToStep","text":"Cook macaroni according to package directions."},{"@type":"HowToStep","text":"Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350&deg;. In a small saucepan, melt butter. Stir in flour, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper until smooth; gradually add milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir 2 minutes or until thickened. Remove from the heat; stir in cheddar and Parmesan cheeses until melted. Drain macaroni."},{"@type":"HowToStep","text":"Spread 1 cup cheese sauce in a greased 13x9-in. baking pan. Layer with half of macaroni, tomatoes and cheese sauce. Repeat layers. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Combine bread crumbs and butter; sprinkle over top."},{"@type":"HowToStep","text":"Cover and bake 40 minutes. Uncover and bake 10-15 minutes longer or until golden brown and bubbly. Let stand 5 minutes before serving."}],"recipeYield":"12 servings (1 cup each)","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Kim Bussing"}],"nutrition":{"@type":"NutritionInformation","calories":" 402 calories","fatContent":"23g fat (13g saturated fat)","cholesterolContent":"66mg cholesterol","sodiumContent":"763mg sodium","carbohydrateContent":"33g carbohydrate (8g sugars","fiberContent":"2g fiber)","proteinContent":"17g protein. "},"aggregateRating":{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"AggregateRating","ratingValue":4.625,"reviewCount":8,"worstRating":1,"bestRating":5},"review":[{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Review","datePublished":"2014-03-12","author":{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Person","name":"GoldTag"},"reviewBody":"Made this for my sister and mom over the holidays this past Christmas.  Easy to make and very creamy.  Spices and tomatoes give it a different flavour to traditional mac and cheese, but still tastes great.  A nice change to try once in a while.","reviewRating":{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Rating","ratingValue":5,"worstRating":1,"bestRating":5}},{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Review","datePublished":"2017-07-26","author":{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Person","name":"OliveLeaf"},"reviewBody":"Definitely unique. My 6-year-old loves it. It's pretty mild, which I like. Even my husband likes it.","reviewRating":{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Rating","ratingValue":4,"worstRating":1,"bestRating":5}},{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Review","datePublished":"2014-04-28","author":{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Person","name":"OrangeSubmarine"},"reviewBody":"Per the other reviewers' tips, I added 3\/4 teaspoon of garlic powder to the cheese sauce, drained the tomatoes & sprinkled more Italian seasoning over the first layer in a sprayed crockpot. Skipped the bread crumbs. Everyone enjoyed it immensely at our fellowship buffet. Thumbs up!","reviewRating":{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Rating","ratingValue":5,"worstRating":1,"bestRating":5}},{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Review","datePublished":"2014-03-31","author":{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Person","name":"GoldBike"},"reviewBody":"I would use stewed tomatoes instead of plain tomatoes.","reviewRating":{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Rating","ratingValue":4,"worstRating":1,"bestRating":5}},{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Review","datePublished":"2014-04-16","author":{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Person","name":"OliveGoggles"},"reviewBody":"This is fantastic!  I changed nothing, except added chicken.  Everyone loved it!","reviewRating":{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Rating","ratingValue":5,"worstRating":1,"bestRating":5}},{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Review","datePublished":"2014-03-12","author":{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Person","name":"PurplePin"},"reviewBody":"This dish was easy to put together and tasted amazing! Did make a few tweaks though, instead of tomatoes I used green chilies and also added bacon, my husband went back 3 times for more!","reviewRating":{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Rating","ratingValue":5,"worstRating":1,"bestRating":5}},{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Review","datePublished":"2014-03-13","author":{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Person","name":"GoldWheel"},"reviewBody":"This recipe was very simple to make, and uses ingredients that I always have on hand. I used penne pasta instead of the elbows, I used less mozzarella cheese on top, and sprinkled the breadcrumbs then did a quick spray of nonstick on top. My fiance and I agreed that it was lacking something. If I make it again, I would add more mozzarella cheese on top, maybe use seasoned breadcrumbs, and either add garlic or use diced tomatoes that have a flavor to them. Other than the lack of \"something,\" this recipe was very good. Since it is just the two of us, I decreased it and made it in an 8x8 pan.","reviewRating":{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Rating","ratingValue":4,"worstRating":1,"bestRating":5}},{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Review","datePublished":"2014-03-28","author":{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Person","name":"OrangeTag"},"reviewBody":"It was a great  meal!","reviewRating":{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Rating","ratingValue":5,"worstRating":1,"bestRating":5}}]},"video":{"data":{"status":204},"message":"No shortcode found in recipe"},"rms_legacy_id":"47103","romance_copy_dek":"Your dream Italian vacation meets the ultimate comfort food in this Italian mac and cheese that's creamy and indulgent.","enhanced_recipe_title":"Italian Three-Cheese Macaroni","rms_legacy_data":{"RecipeCategories":null,"Ingredients":[{"CampaignId":"","IsBrandedIngredient":false,"Ingredient":"4 cups uncooked elbow macaroni","IngredientText":"4 cups uncooked elbow macaroni"},{"CampaignId":"","IsBrandedIngredient":false,"Ingredient":"1\/2 cup butter, cubed","IngredientText":"1\/2 cup butter, cubed"},{"CampaignId":"","IsBrandedIngredient":false,"Ingredient":"1\/4 cup all-purpose flour","IngredientText":"1\/4 cup all-purpose flour"},{"CampaignId":"","IsBrandedIngredient":false,"Ingredient":"2 teaspoons Italian seasoning","IngredientText":"2 teaspoons Italian seasoning"},{"CampaignId":"","IsBrandedIngredient":false,"Ingredient":"1 teaspoon salt","IngredientText":"1 teaspoon salt"},{"CampaignId":"","IsBrandedIngredient":false,"Ingredient":"1 teaspoon pepper","IngredientText":"1 teaspoon pepper"},{"CampaignId":"","IsBrandedIngredient":false,"Ingredient":"4 cups 2% milk","IngredientText":"4 cups 2% milk"},{"CampaignId":"","IsBrandedIngredient":false,"Ingredient":"2 cups shredded cheddar cheese","IngredientText":"2 cups shredded cheddar cheese"},{"CampaignId":"","IsBrandedIngredient":false,"Ingredient":"1\/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese","IngredientText":"1\/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese"},{"CampaignId":"","IsBrandedIngredient":false,"Ingredient":"2 cans (14-1\/2 ounces each) diced tomatoes, undrained","IngredientText":"2 cans (14-1\/2 ounces each) diced tomatoes, undrained"},{"CampaignId":"","IsBrandedIngredient":false,"Ingredient":"2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese","IngredientText":"2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese"},{"CampaignId":"","IsBrandedIngredient":false,"Ingredient":"1\/2 cup dry bread crumbs","IngredientText":"1\/2 cup dry bread crumbs"},{"CampaignId":"","IsBrandedIngredient":false,"Ingredient":"2 tablespoons butter, melted","IngredientText":"2 tablespoons butter, melted"}],"FeaturedImage":"https:\/\/tmbidigitalassetsazure.blob.core.windows.net\/rms3-prod\/attachments\/37\/1200x1200\/EXPS_TOHD24_47103_KristinaVanni_7.jpg","RecipeId":47103,"AttachmentSourceId":null,"AttachmentSource":"Kristina Vanni for Taste Recipes","PhotoCredit":"Italian Three-Cheese Macaroni Recipe photo by Kristina Vanni for Taste Recipes","VideoCode":null,"RecipeAttachmentFileName":"EXPS_TOHD24_47103_KristinaVanni_7.jpg","ContributorId":null,"Firstname":"Adriane","Lastname":"Mummert","City":"Lancaster","StateDescription":"Pennsylvania","IsCommunityCook":false,"ContributorAttachmentFileName":"https:\/\/cdn3.tmbi.com\/toh\/Recipe\/testkitchenapproved.png","TimeCallout":"Prep: 30 min. Bake: 50 min. ","MinimumServingQuantity":12,"MaximumServingQuantity":12,"Yield":"12 servings (1 cup each).","DigitalTitle":"Italian Three-Cheese Macaroni","SubmittedTitle":"Italian Three-Cheese Macaroni","RecipeTypeId":1,"AverageRating":4.63,"WebPublishedDate":"1\/1\/2018 12:00:00 AM","ContestPlacementId":null,"FbImage":"FB_TOHD24_47103_KristinaVanni_5.jpg","PreparationTimeInMinutes":30,"CookTimeInMinutes":50,"TotalTimeInMinutes":80,"ServingDescription":null,"IsTestKitchenCertified":true,"IsContestWinner":false,"IsFieldEditorRecipe":false,"IsCommunityRecipe":false,"PublishedProjectTitle":"Italian Three-Cheese Macaroni","OriginalSourceProject":"Italian Three-Cheese Macaroni","ContestPlacement":"","Trailer":null,"Metadescription":null,"AboutRecipeTitle":null,"AboutRecipe":null,"DigitalHeadnotes":"My husband is a self-proclaimed mac-and-cheese connoisseur and says that this is his favorite version. The Italian seasoning and tomatoes really complement the pasta and cheeses. &mdash;Adriane Mummert, Lancaster, Pennsylvania","FreezerDirections":"","FreezerDirectionsTitle":"","HTMLTitle":null,"RecipeVersionNumber":null,"WorkflowStatusId":9,"Directions":[{"Direction":"Cook macaroni according to package directions.","SequenceNo":1},{"Direction":"   Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350&deg;. In a small saucepan, melt butter. Stir in flour, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper until smooth; gradually add milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir 2 minutes or until thickened. Remove from the heat; stir in cheddar and Parmesan cheeses until melted. Drain macaroni.","SequenceNo":2},{"Direction":"   Spread 1 cup cheese sauce in a greased 13x9-in. baking pan. Layer with half of macaroni, tomatoes and cheese sauce. Repeat layers. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Combine bread crumbs and butter; sprinkle over top.","SequenceNo":3},{"Direction":"   Cover and bake 40 minutes. 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