The blend of cheeses is rich and laced with a favorite flavor, yes you guessed it garlic!
A family favorite style that everyone loves with an Italian flair instead of the traditional recipe that brings this dish to a whole new level of yum!
You can even mix in some meat or vegetables but it's perfection just the way it is.
The cheese sauce with pasta is a vintage recipe mom made her way and dates back to the 1960s.
A nice change and the kids love it and will ask for more than one helping.
Scroll down and print this off. You won't want to miss trying this one. It's one of the best comfort foods that will make you feel better any day of the week for sure.
One Pan Casserole Meals
This Italian Macaroni and Cheese can be a side dish or with some of my suggestive additions a whole meal in itself.
This cheesy delicious blend of garlic and herb topping is one that will be very memorable and talked about for years to come as unique and a must make often.
I love the sauce with mozzarella and provolone but if you're a diehard fan of cheddar by all means use it, I would stick with Havarti cheese since it does melt easy and has a buttery cheese taste to it.
This meal is truly in the top 5 of our family favorites and when someone feels blue, this cheers them up every time!
Tips
- add vegetables or cooked meats for a complete style casserole dish
- always spray the pan
- cook the pasta and drain it first
- use any kinds of cheese that melt easily
- leftover meats of any kind go great in this casserole
- this easily freezes in small containers
- Use more cheese on top if you're a cheese lover
- Only use whole milk
- The best cracker crumbs are herb butter-flavored to use Italian flavored breadcrumbs
Additions and Cheeses( add 1 cup of any of these)
- cooked chicken
- diced pepperoni
- chopped capicola
- chopped prosciutto
- chunks of genoa salami
- leftover boneless meats like pork chops and steak
- chopped olives
- chopped cooked vegetables any kind you like (broccoli is great with this dish) or a combination of meats and vegetables)
- Note: add them on the top then pour the cheese mixture on top.
Cheese That Melts Easily to Substitute or Additions
(there is never too much cheese right?)
- mozzarella
- provolone
- gruyère
- taleggio(similar to fontina)
- raclette(swiss)
- extra-sharp cheddar
Pasta of Choice(I've used them all)
- penne
- spirals
- rigatoni
- elbows
- baby or medium shells
- bowties
Ingredients You Will Need to Make Cheesy Chicken Pasta Casserole
- fresh cleaned garlic finely chopped
- butter
- evaporated milk
- all-purpose flour
- whole milk, or half and half
- 1 pound of any kind of pasta shape cooked and drained
- crushed herb-flavored crackers (or use Italian-flavored bread crumbs)
- thinly sliced shredded provolone cheese or any other shredded cheese
- thinly sliced mozzarella or Havarti cheese, shredded
- whipped cream cheese
- red pepper flakes, granulated garlic powder
- salt and pepper to taste
Try These Other Pasta Favorites
15 Easy Pasta Recipes
Chicken Bacon and Spinach Pasta
Pastina and Egg
Pin for later
Italian Style Comfort Food
Pasta is always welcome on our tables but with all the added cheeses, it's a nice change to the Traditional Sunday Tomato Sauce recipe and we love this with any meal.
This macaroni and cheese Italian style are so hearty, you really can fill up on it quickly, it's really satisfying not to mention addicting.
Through the years we have adapted the recipe by adding what the family likes and I must say, tried and true, plain is always the favorite when it comes to picky eaters especially the grandkids.
If you love to experiment, try adding your leftovers just on top,(you can always scrape them off!)Enjoy!!

Italian Macaroni and Cheese
Yield: 8
Prep time: 15 MinCook time: 35 MinTotal time: 50 Min
This is a creamy Italian style macaroni and cheese combination using herbs, spices, and garlic along with a crunchy topping.
Ingredients
- 4 cups cooked baby shells or other pasta you prefer (I have done this with all kinds)
- 1 can of evaporated milk
- 3 cups whole milk
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
- salt and pepper to taste
- 3 tablespoons whipped cream cheese
- 1 cup thinly sliced or shredded provolone cheese
- 1 cup thinly sliced or shredded mozzarella whole milk (or Havarti for a more pungent flavor)
- 1/2 cup Parmesan and Romano cheese
- Garnish: 1- 1/2 cup herb-flavored buttery crackers or use flavored breadcrumbs, more grated cheese on top, and 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes if you prefer a little heat
Instructions
- Cook the pasta for package instructions and drain set aside.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Prepare a deep casserole sized around 4 quarts either oval or rectangular shaped( do not use a shallow pan it won't be as creamy) spray with cooking oil butter spray or olive oil spray and set aside.
- In a small saucepan add the flour and butter and stir until smooth on low heat then add the garlic fresh and granulated.
- Add the milk and all cheeses heat to melt the cheese until smooth.
- Place the pasta in the prepared pan, pour the cheese sauce on top.
- Sprinkle with crushed flavored crackers or breadcrumbs.
- Set the prepared pan on a larger cookie sheet just for the ease of removing from the oven, it's easier.
- Bake until the topping is browned at 400 degrees around 35 minutes.
- Additional Suggestions:
- cooked chicken
- diced pepperoni
- chopped capicola
- chopped prosciutto
- chunks of genoa salami
- leftover boneless meats like pork chops and steak
- chopped olives
- chopped cooked vegetables any kind you like (broccoli is great with this dish) or a combination of meats and vegetables)
- Note: add 1 cup or more of them on the top then pour the cheese mixture on top.
Calories
539.82Fat (grams)
31.49Sat. Fat (grams)
18.76Carbs (grams)
41.60Fiber (grams)
2.05Net carbs
39.55Sugar (grams)
12.11Protein (grams)
23.01Sodium (milligrams)
669.48Cholesterol (grams)
89.98Pin for later
Try Some Of Our Other Favorite Recipes
Traditional Sunday Sauce
Mom's Tuna Casserole
Mom's Bake Italian Hamburgers
Mom's Baked Sausage and Peppers
Disclosure: This recipe was originally shared in 2010. It was edited and re-published in 2021.
you just made me so hungry! that recipe looks so delicious and incredible!
ReplyDeleteYou had me at garlicky and 5 cheeses :o) Looks delicious!
ReplyDeleteoh,claudia,so yummy your dish,i'm drolling here!:))the photos are so sugestive!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous Claudia, just gorgeous! Pasta, garlic and FIVE cheeses?!? I don't need anything else ;)
ReplyDeleteLove this "grown up" version of mac and cheese! Looks super tasty... yum!
ReplyDeleteI love garlic and use a lot in my cooking. Garlic is good for health. Your pasta dish will surely go down well in my family.
ReplyDeletelooks like a delicious variation on mac&cheese
ReplyDeleteMmmm, Looks like the perfect dinner! You've hooked me with 5 cheeses!! Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteFamily and pasta, always go together! of course cheese and pasta too and you made the perfect combination of taste, texture and fun!
ReplyDeleteThis looks amazing! Now following your blog! Cant wait to read more
ReplyDeleteShamrocks and Shenanigans
okay, call me a kid - I LOVE THIS ONE ... yes, I am screaming over this recipe
ReplyDelete5 cheeses. Pasta. Garlic. This is my dish!
ReplyDeleteThis looks delicious Claudia...I'm saving this recipe for when I can have my carbs again!
ReplyDeleteoooohhhh....that looks delicious!! I LOVE garlic and cheese! :)
ReplyDeleteOmg, I have to save up my calories and have this!! I love cheese + garlic, it's heaven!!
ReplyDeleteThis is totally delectable! Loving all the different cheeses and the prosciutto! Definitely a crowd-pleaser.
ReplyDeleteStill following you. You are a dedicated cook!
ReplyDeleteOh! So rich and creamy with five cheeses and garlic. Divine! Looks so delicious!!!
ReplyDeleteHoly crap, Claudia. This has to be the most amazing thing since string cheese.
ReplyDeleteWow, that sounds delish!
ReplyDeleteI am descended from a long line of mice - so the more cheese the better. Love all the garlic - heck - it' good for you! And you are right, the pickiest eater in the world would wolf this down. Well done!
ReplyDeletemmm. five cheeses-this is my knd of pasta! Love it!!
ReplyDeleteLovely ,..eeuh,..excellent food!
ReplyDeleteyum, i love mac and cheese recipes! delicious!
ReplyDeleteAn ultimate comfort food! The crusty golden topping just has me drool.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like the perfect comfort food!
ReplyDeleteThis Italian Style Macaroni and cheese looks so creamy; wow! I love all the add ons, and the amazing result. My brood would enjoy this Mac n Cheese.
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot for this recipe! It looks so yummy and can't wait to try it! Thanks a lot for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds positively delightful. So excited to try it! 😋
ReplyDeleteMy kid's favourite! So rich, creamy and delicious!
ReplyDeleteLooks delicious and I like the cheeses you used.
ReplyDelete