Italian Macaroni and Cheese

This Italian Style Macaroni and Cheese is one of the creamiest and most flavorful pasta dishes you will ever make.


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?)

1. mozzarella
2. provolone
3. gruyère
4. taleggio(similar to fontina)
5. raclette(swiss)
6. extra-sharp cheddar

Pasta of Choice(I've used them all)

1. penne
2. spirals
3. rigatoni
4. elbows
5. baby or medium shells
6. 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

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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

Author: Claudia Lamascolo

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

1. Cook the pasta for package instructions and drain set aside.
2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
3. 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.
4. In a small saucepan add the flour and butter and stir until smooth on low heat then add the garlic fresh and granulated.
5. Add the milk and all cheeses heat to melt the cheese until smooth.
6. Place the pasta in the prepared pan, pour the cheese sauce on top.
7. Sprinkle with crushed flavored crackers or breadcrumbs.
8. Set the prepared pan on a larger cookie sheet just for the ease of removing from the oven, it's easier.
9. Bake until the topping is browned at 400 degrees around 35 minutes.
10. Additional Suggestions:
11. cooked chicken
12. diced pepperoni
13. chopped capicola
14. chopped prosciutto
15. chunks of genoa salami
16. leftover boneless meats like pork chops and steak
17. chopped olives
18. chopped cooked vegetables any kind you like (broccoli is great with this dish) or a combination of meats and vegetables)
19. Note: add 1 cup or more of them on the top then pour the cheese mixture on top.

Calories

539.82

Fat (grams)

31.49

Sat. Fat (grams)

18.76

Carbs (grams)

41.60

Fiber (grams)

2.05

Net carbs

39.55

Sugar (grams)

12.11

Protein (grams)

23.01

Sodium (milligrams)

669.48

Cholesterol (grams)

89.98

https://www.whatscookinitalianstylecuisine.com/2010/04/italian-style-garlicky-pasta-and-fives.html

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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.