Italian Mac and Cheese

This Italian mac and cheese combines tender pasta with a rich, creamy Italian cheese sauce seasoned with garlic and baked until golden and delicious.

• Preparation Time: 10 mins
• Cooking Time: 35 mins
• Total Time: 45 mins
• Calories: 603 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 8 ounces penne pasta
• 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 cup 1% milk
• 1 tablespoon flour
• 0.5 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1.5 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 10 ounces Italian sausage
• 0.25 cup reserved pasta water
• 1.25 ounces grated mozzarella cheese
• 1.25 ounces grated provolone cheese
• 1.25 ounces grated Fontina cheese
• 1.25 ounces finely grated Parmesan cheese
• 0.25 cup julienned sun-dried tomatoes

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

Step 2

Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is melted and lightly browned, about 25 minutes.

Step 3

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add penne and cook, stirring occasionally, until penne start to get tender, about 8 minutes. Drain and reserve 1/4 cup pasta water.

Step 4

Meanwhile, cook Italian sausage in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat until brown and crumbly, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel lined plate.

Step 5

Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté minced garlic and red pepper flakes until garlic is fragrant, 30 to 45 seconds. Sprinkle flour over mixture and stir to combine, making sure there are no lumps.

Step 6

Pour in milk, cream, and reserved pasta water. Mix mozzarella, provolone, Fontina, and Parmesan cheeses in a bowl and stir in about 4/5th of the cheese mixture. Stir to combine. Add penne, cooked Italian sausage, and julienned sun dried tomatoes to the cheese sauce. Mix to combine and pour into an 8x8 inch casserole dish. Sprinkle with remaining cheese mixture.