Description
A comforting dish featuring a delightful blend of mozzarella, cheddar, ricotta, and parmesan baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk (or heavy cream/plant-based milk)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- A pinch of nutmeg
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the macaroni until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk until smooth, creating a roux.
- Gradually pour in the milk, whisking continuously until the mixture thickens, about 5 minutes.
- Lower the heat, add the mozzarella, cheddar, and ricotta, stirring until all cheeses melt smoothly. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
- Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and mix well.
- Transfer the mixture into a greased baking dish, topping with remaining mozzarella and parmesan.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is bubbly and golden brown.
- Let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
Use high-quality cheeses for richer flavor and slightly undercook the pasta to prevent it from becoming mushy during baking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: macaroni, cheese, comfort food, baked pasta, family recipe