Italian Style Cavatappi and Cheese

Thursday, September 28, 2017
Creamy, melted cheeses wrapped around a corkscrew-shaped pasta called cavatappi is one of the best mac and cheese casseroles you will ever make.


This Italian Style Cavatappi and Cheese is a blend of provolone, mozzarella, grated cheese, and more in a rich white creamy sauce.


Although this will take a little more time than any boxed method, your family lovers of cheesy pasta are going to flip over this delicious baked mac and cheese.


The recipe truly is adaptable to even add cooked meats like ham, chicken, steak or even hotdogs if you have just meat-eaters in the family.


Just take a look at our additional suggestions and hey if you are vegetarian, add your favorite sliced vegetables, this basic dish is terrific with zucchini or even some chopped broccoli.


Scroll down to get this easily printable recipe with step-by-step instructions.



baked mac and cheese with a blend of Italian seasonings





Easy Pasta Meals




Growing up we ate lots of pasta meals, and mom would get very creative and never make any kind of premade box-style mac and cheese, everything was from scratch like this recipe.



This simple-to-follow pasta sauce is super easy. It's a basic sauce and can be adapted instantly just by adding different ingredients and is a great use for leftover meats of any kind.



We just love a good cheesy pasta and this is loaded with several kinds this will be a recipe everyone raves about and ask for often.





Other Additions

  • sauteed mushrooms
  • chopped broccoli
  • bell peppers or hot peppers
  • sliced zucchini or eggplant
  • tuna fish drained
  • cooked Italian sausage sliced
  • cooked pork tenderloin
  • chopped pepperoni
  • cooked ham diced
  • cooked steak
  • cooked lamb meat
  • cooked chopped bacon
  • kielbasa or hotdogs
  • any leftover rotisserie chicken or roasted chicken breast boneless 


chopped pepperoni and ham


Use any kind of Pasta Suggestions

  1. rigatoni
  2. bowties
  3. mostaccioli
  4. spirals
  5. seashells
  6. penne
  7. elbows




Tips

  • cook any kind of pasta you like to package instructions and keep warm
  • always spray your casserole dish heavily with oil spray
  • make a full meat lovers pasta by adding loose sausage, pepperoni, bacon, or ham
  • use sharp cheeses for best results any kind can be substituted
  • add mushrooms or other vegetables in the sauce you like
  • use Pecorino Romano cheese for garnishing and bread crumbs drizzled with olive oil
  • for a healthier version just use a low-carb pasta or whole wheat



baked macaroni and cheese


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Everyone Love Mac and Cheese Pasta




If you have kids who are super picky but everyone young and young at heart loves this cheesy dish of pasta.

Again get creative, if your family loves kielbasa instead of hotdogs, chop some up and add them in everything in one pan, even bacon is a great choice.

Enjoy and don't forget to leave me a comment if you try mom's recipe.

Italian Style Cavatappi and Cheese

Italian Style Cavatappi and Cheese

Yield: 8
Author: Claudia Lamascolo
Prep time: 15 MinCook time: 25 MinTotal time: 40 Min
Italian Style Cavatappi and Cheese is a creamy white sauce baked pasta loaded with several kinds of cheese.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound cavatappi macaroni (the Italian word for corkscrew-shaped pasta) or use spirals
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella
  • 1 teaspoon of minced garlic
  • 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 1 1/2 cups of half and half
  • 2 cups shredded extra-sharp cheddar cut up into small pieces
  • 4 tablespoons of cream cheese
  • 4 thick slices of provolone cheese cut into small pieces
  • 1/4 cup of Romano grating cheese
  • 1 teaspoon of parsley
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • Topping:
  • 1 cup of Italian flavored bread crumbs
  • 4 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil or butter
  • pinch of red pepper flakes

Instructions

  1. In a glass (microwave-proof bowl) or in a medium-sized saucepan on the stovetop), add both kinds of milk, all the cheeses, 4 tablespoons butter cook until cheese is melted and well blended with milk. 
  2. Add salt, pepper to taste.
  3. In the meantime boil the macaroni in salted water to package instructions al dente, drain. 
  4. Place in a large baking dish that has been butter generously.
  5. Place cooked macaroni in the dish. Add all herbs, minced garlic, and spices to the milk mixture stirring together. 
  6. Add cooked macaroni dish. In a separate bowl add bread crumbs and melted butter and mix set aside. 
  7. Bake at 375 until browned and bubbly, around 25 minutes.
  8. Garnish with more grated cheese and top with bread crumbs, red pepper flakes, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil on top. 
  9. Optional:
  10. Broil until crispy on top place for 2 minutes watching carefully.

Nutrition Facts

Calories

840.63

Fat (grams)

59.89

Sat. Fat (grams)

36.02

Carbs (grams)

41.59

Fiber (grams)

1.95

Net carbs

39.64

Sugar (grams)

7.89

Protein (grams)

34.44

Sodium (milligrams)

951.37

Cholesterol (grams)

173.64
baked macaroni, Italian baked cheese macaroni, macaroni and cheese baked, Italian baked cheese pasta
macaroni, recipes pasta recipes, baked pasta recipes
Italian, American


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3 comments

Remember to use the search option for a recipe you're looking for and thanks for all your kind words and support. We love our readers all the best Claudia