Imen Dridi Giada De Laurentiis’ Macaroni and Cheese features wide egg noodles, cream, milk, three cheeses (Fontina, Parmesan, mozzarella), and optional ham, baked to perfection. Serves 6 and takes about 30 minutes.
More Giada De Laurentiis Recipes:
- Giada De Laurentiis Baccala Salad
- Giada De Laurentiis Grilled Vegetables
- Giada De Laurentiis Potato Salad
💗 Why You’ll Love This Macaroni And Cheese Recipe:
- Creamy Perfection: It’s incredibly creamy, with a rich and velvety cheese sauce.
- Three-Cheese Bliss: The combination of Fontina, Parmesan, and mozzarella creates a delightful medley of cheese flavors and textures.
- Quick Preparation: Ready in just about 30 minutes, perfect for weeknight comfort food cravings.
- Kid-Friendly: Loved by both kids and adults, making it a family favorite.
- Gooey Cheese Topping: The cheesy crust on top adds an irresistible crunch and more cheesy goodness.
- Italian Flair: It’s Giada De Laurentiis’ take on a classic, infusing it with Italian-inspired flavors.
❓ What Is Giada De Laurentiis Macaroni And Cheese Recipe?
Giada De Laurentiis’ Macaroni and Cheese: Cook egg noodles, prepare a creamy sauce with cream, milk, flour, salt, pepper, and three cheeses (Fontina, Parmesan, mozzarella). Mix with optional ham, top with cheese blend, and bake until golden. Comforting and creamy Italian-inspired mac and cheese.
🧀 Giada De Laurentiis Macaroni And Cheese Ingredients
- Butter, for greasing dish
- 12 ounces wide egg noodles
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 2 1/2 cups whole milk
- 2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more for pasta water
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 cups (packed) grated Fontina
- 3/4 cup (packed) finely grated Parmesan
- 3/4 cup (packed) grated mozzarella
- 4 ounces cooked ham, diced, optional
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves
🍲 How To Make Giada De Laurentiis Macaroni And Cheese
- Warm the oven up to 450 degrees F.
- Set aside a 13-by-9-inch glass baking dish that has been butter. In a big pot of boiling salted water, cook the noodles for about 5 minutes, turning them often, until they are soft but still firm to the bite. Make sure it drains well, but don’t rinse.
- In a big bowl, mix the cream, milk, flour, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and pepper with a whisk. It’s time to add the ham, parsley, and 1 cup of Fontina, 1/2 cup of Parmesan, 1/2 cup of mozzarella.
- Add the noodles and mix them in. Put the noodle mixture in the baking dish that has been made.
- Put the last 1/4 cup of mozzarella, 1/4 cup of Parmesan, and 1 cup of Fontina in a small bowl and mix them together. The cheese blend should be put on top of the noodles.
- About 20 minutes into the baking, the cheese should melt and the sauce should bubble. Give it 10 minutes to sit before you serve.
💭 Recipe Tips
- Cooking Noodles: Boil the egg noodles until they are slightly undercooked, as they will continue cooking in the oven. Drain them well but avoid rinsing.
- Cheese Mixture: Whisk together the cream, milk, flour, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. This forms the creamy base for the macaroni and cheese.
- Adding Ham (Optional): If using ham, ensure it’s cooked and diced before adding it to the mixture. It adds a savory dimension to the dish.
- Cheese Blend: Blend the Fontina, Parmesan, and mozzarella cheeses together. This mixture will be used to create a gooey, cheesy topping for the macaroni.
- Even Mixing: Thoroughly combine the noodles with the cheese mixture to ensure every bite is creamy and flavorful.
🥗 What To Serve With Macaroni And Cheese?
Serve Macaroni and Cheese with a simple green salad, steamed broccoli, or a side of roasted vegetables to balance the richness of the dish.
🎚 How To Store Leftovers Macaroni And Cheese?
- Refrigeration: Place Leftovers Macaroni And Cheese in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezing: Portion Leftovers Macaroni And Cheese into airtight containers or freezer bags, and freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
🥵 How To Reheat Leftovers Macaroni And Cheese?
- Microwave: Place Leftovers Macaroni And Cheese in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel to prevent drying out, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between, until heated through.
- Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) transfer Leftovers Macaroni And Cheese to an oven-safe dish, cover with foil, and bake for about 20-30 minutes until warmed through.
FAQs
What type of pasta is best for Macaroni and Cheese?
Elbow macaroni is the classic choice, but you can use other small pasta shapes like shells, cavatappi, or penne for variation.
How do I prevent the cheese sauce from becoming grainy or lumpy?
Ensure you whisk the sauce ingredients thoroughly over low heat gradually add cheese while stirring continuously until smooth.
How do I achieve a crispy cheese crust on top of Macaroni and Cheese?
Generously sprinkle the cheese blend on top of the noodles to create a crispy and golden crust when baked Macaroni and Cheese.
What’s the key to perfect Macaroni and Cheese consistency?
Achieving a velvety consistency involves cooking the pasta until slightly underdone, making a smooth cheese sauce, and thoroughly combining them before baking.
Can I use different cheeses in Macaroni and Cheese?
Absolutely! While this recipe uses Fontina, Parmesan, and mozzarella, you can experiment with cheddar, Gruyère, or your favorite cheese for unique flavors.
Try More Giada De Laurentiis Recipes:
Giada De Laurentiis Macaroni And Cheese Nutrition Facts
Amount Per Serving
- Calories: 550
- Total Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
- Sodium: 600mg
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugars: 7g
- Protein: 25g
Giada De Laurentiis Macaroni And Cheese
Description
Giada De Laurentiis’ Macaroni and Cheese features wide egg noodles, cream, milk, three cheeses (Fontina, Parmesan, mozzarella), and optional ham, baked to perfection. Serves 6 and takes about 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Warm the oven up to 450 degrees F.
- Set aside a 13-by-9-inch glass baking dish that has been butter. In a big pot of boiling salted water, cook the noodles for about 5 minutes, turning them often, until they are soft but still firm to the bite. Make sure it drains well, but don’t rinse.
- In a big bowl, mix the cream, milk, flour, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and pepper with a whisk. It’s time to add the ham, parsley, and 1 cup of Fontina, 1/2 cup of Parmesan, 1/2 cup of mozzarella.
- Add the noodles and mix them in. Put the noodle mixture in the baking dish that has been made.
- Put the last 1/4 cup of mozzarella, 1/4 cup of Parmesan, and 1 cup of Fontina in a small bowl and mix them together. The cheese blend should be put on top of the noodles.
- About 20 minutes into the baking, the cheese should melt and the sauce should bubble. Give it 10 minutes to sit before you serve.
Notes
- Cooking Noodles: Boil the egg noodles until they are slightly undercooked, as they will continue cooking in the oven. Drain them well but avoid rinsing.
- Cheese Mixture: Whisk together the cream, milk, flour, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. This forms the creamy base for the macaroni and cheese.
- Adding Ham (Optional): If using ham, ensure it’s cooked and diced before adding it to the mixture. It adds a savory dimension to the dish.
- Cheese Blend: Blend the Fontina, Parmesan, and mozzarella cheeses together. This mixture will be used to create a gooey, cheesy topping for the macaroni.
- Even Mixing: Thoroughly combine the noodles with the cheese mixture to ensure every bite is creamy and flavorful.
