#Italian macaroni bake mac

Add the al dente macaroni and stir to combine.Add the cheeses a handful at a time whisking until the cheese completely melts between each addition.Add the ground mustard, salt, garlic powder, pepper, oregano, and basil whisk to combine.Keep whisking until it starts to simmer, continue whisking, and slowly whisk in the wine.Raise the flame to medium-high heat and slowly whisk in the milk a ½ cup at a time.

Increase heat to medium, add the flour, and cook for 2 minutes whisking constantly.

Return the empty Dutch oven to the stovetop, and over low heat melt the butter.

In a Dutch oven cook over medium heat bring water to a rolling boil and cook the macaroni according to box directions for pasta cook time until al dente and drain the macaroni in a colander.

#Italian macaroni bake mac

I find a simple green salad with a vinaigrette dressing is an ideal companion to rich and creamy mac and cheese. I wanted the sauce to have that buttery taste and nice stretchy consistency we so love in lasagna and pizza. In this recipe for Italian inspired mac and cheese I went with mozzarella as my secondary cheese. Using it result in grainy and less flavourful cheese sauce. Store bought pre-grated cheese is coated in cornstarch to prevent it from clumping up. Whatever cheese you choose, make sure you grate it yourself. I often go for a combination of two cheeses. The cheeses I tend to use are the ones that have a strong enough taste to flavour the dish and melt well into a creamy cheese sauce.Ĭheddar and aged/mature cheddar are my number one choices. Your macarani should be swimming in sauce before it goes in the oven. Pasta will absorb liquid as it bakes leaving you with dry mac and cheese if you are not overdoing it on sauce. You need more cheese sauce than a stove top version would require. One thing you have to remember when making baked macaroni cheese. Those crunchy bits are the bits my kids fight over and what I secretly make macaroni and cheese for. That top crunchy layer makes all the difference.

Do you have to bake mac and cheese? Is it worth the extra work?įor my family the answer is always a big fat YES. Bake.Īdmittedly baked macaroni and cheese takes longer than the stove top method. Stir until both cheeses are melted and well incorporated into the sauce.Ĭombine the pasta with the cheese sauce and a little bit of pasta water, top the bolognese layer with the macaroni and cheese and sprinkle with more cheese on top. Once you have your white sauce add sharp cheddar and mozzarella off the heat. This mixture will create a foundation of the cheese sauce. Then add whole milk while stirring with a whisk constantly, bring to a slow boil and simmer until thick. While the pasta is cooking make the cheese sauce by combining melted butter with flour. That will prevent the pasta from going too soft when baked. You can also use your favourite brand of premade spaghetti sauce.Ĭook the macaroni or any other short pasta like rigatoni 3-4 minutes less than your package instructs. But if not, making it from scratch is very easy.Īll you need is a pound of ground beef, garlic, crushed tomatoes or passata and a couple of herbs like basil and oregano. I usually make a big batch and freeze half of it. It’s much quicker if you happen to have leftover Bolognese sauce like I did. You would have to start with the meat sauce. An absolute heaven on earth if you ask me. On the surface this macaroni and cheese looks quite ordinary but everything changes as soon as you plunge a large spoon into it.Ī big scoop of this creamy baked mac will reveal a bottom layer of rich bolognese sauce. Imagine the creamiest lasagna you’ve ever tasted and you will be only half way there. It’s absolutely magnificent! And how could it not be when two most loved dishes come together as one! That’s how baked mac and cheese with an Italian twist was born. What’s not to love?! It’s absolutely perfect as it is.Īs great as macaroni and cheese might be, once in a while I get bored and I am drawn to experiment. There are not too many people out there who don’t see mac and cheese as the epitome of comfort food. If you love Italian food, why not check out our Slow Cooker Bolognese Sauce? Amazing flavours without the fuss! In this delicious spin on the classic baked Mac and Cheese we are combining creamy macaroni and cheese with rich Italian Bolognese meat sauce! It’s comfort food taken to the next level!