Creamy Ricotta Mac and Cheese with Garlic Butter Breadcrumbs Recipe

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Why Ricotta Mac and Cheese Feels Fancy and Comforting

• Elevate Comfort Food: This ricotta mac and cheese transforms a classic dish into a gourmet experience with creamy, luxurious textures and bold flavor combinations.
• Crispy Garlic Breadcrumb Magic: Toasted breadcrumbs infused with garlic butter add an irresistible crunchy layer that perfectly contrasts the smooth, rich cheese sauce.
• Custom Flavor Symphony: Unique spice blend of dijon mustard, nutmeg, cayenne, and smoked paprika creates a sophisticated taste profile that makes this mac and cheese anything but ordinary.

Creamy Ingredients in Ricotta Mac and Cheese You’ll Love

Main Ingredients:

• Pasta: Classic comfort food base that provides hearty texture and carries the creamy sauce.
• Ricotta Cheese: Soft, mild Italian cheese that adds creamy smoothness and light tang to the mac and cheese.

• Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that provides deep, rich flavor foundation for the dish.
• Butter: Rich, creamy fat that helps develop golden color and adds luxurious taste.
• Dijon Mustard: Tangy condiment that brightens overall flavor profile.
• Salt: Essential seasoning that balances and elevates other ingredients.
• Black Pepper: Classic spice that adds subtle heat and complexity.

• Breadcrumbs: Crunchy topping that provides textural contrast and golden brown appearance.
• Nutmeg Powder: Warm, subtle spice that adds depth to cheese sauce.
• Cayenne Pepper: Spice that introduces mild heat and complexity.
• Smoked Paprika: Smoky seasoning that adds rich, warm undertones.

• Milk: Smooth liquid that helps create creamy sauce consistency.
• Cream: Rich dairy component that enhances sauces luxurious texture.

How to Make Ricotta Mac and Cheese with Garlic Breadcrumbs

Step 1: Prepare Garlic Butter Breadcrumbs

Heat a medium skillet over medium heat. Add butter and let it melt completely. Sprinkle in minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.

Step 2: Toast Breadcrumbs

Add breadcrumbs to the skillet and stir continuously. Toast until they turn golden brown and become crispy. Transfer to a bowl and let cool.

Step 3: Cook Pasta

Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta 2 minutes less than package instructions for al dente texture. Before draining, save of pasta water.

Step 4: Create Garlic Base

Return pot to low heat. Melt butter and add minced garlic. Sauté for 30 seconds until aromatic.

Step 5: Combine Pasta

Add cooked pasta and reserved pasta water to the pot. Stir thoroughly on low heat.

Step 6: Add Ricotta Cheese

Gradually mix in ricotta cheese, stirring to distribute evenly throughout the pasta.

Step 7: Season the Dish

• Salt
• Dijon mustard
• Nutmeg powder
• Cayenne pepper
• Smoked paprika
• Black pepper

Stir to combine all ingredients uniformly.

Step 8: Create Creamy Sauce

Slowly pour in milk or cream while stirring constantly. Adjust liquid as needed to achieve desired sauce consistency.

Step 9: Finish and Serve

Ensure sauce coats pasta evenly. Top with toasted garlic butter breadcrumbs. Serve immediately while warm.

Tips for a Buttery, Crispy Mac and Cheese Finish

• Master Breadcrumb Technique: Toast breadcrumbs slowly and consistently, stirring constantly to achieve a perfect golden-brown color without burning.
• Pasta Water Magic: Always save some pasta water before draining; it helps create a silky, smooth sauce by adding starchy liquid that binds ingredients together.
• Cheese Incorporation Trick: Add ricotta gradually and stir gently to ensure even distribution and prevent clumping in the mac and cheese.
• Seasoning Balance: Use small amounts of dijon mustard, nutmeg, and cayenne to enhance flavor without overwhelming the creamy ricotta base.
• Temperature Control: Keep the heat low when mixing sauce ingredients to prevent separation and maintain a creamy, luxurious texture.

How to Store and Reheat Ricotta Mac and Cheese Just Right

• Refrigeration: Transfer leftover mac and cheese to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Seal tightly to prevent moisture loss and protect the dish's creamy texture. Keep breadcrumbs separate to maintain their crunchiness.
• Reheating Method: Warm gently in the microwave or oven to preserve the dish's rich, creamy consistency. For microwave, add a splash of milk to prevent drying out and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly. Sprinkle reserved breadcrumbs on top just before serving to restore that delightful crispy crunch.
• Freezing Option: Wrap securely in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags for up to 2 months.

What to Eat with Ricotta Mac and Cheese for Dinner Bliss

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Break out a chilled sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio to cut through the creamy richness of the mac and cheese, offering a refreshing contrast with its light, bright acidity.
• Complement with Zesty Side Salad: Toss together a quick arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the dish's heaviness, adding a tangy and fresh element that enhances the overall dining experience.
• Serve with Roasted Vegetable Medley: Prepare quick roasted brussels sprouts or asparagus spears with olive oil and sea salt, providing a healthy, slightly charred vegetable side that adds depth and nutrition to the meal.
• Match with Light Beer Option: Select a crisp pilsner or wheat beer that won't overpower the delicate ricotta flavors, helping to cleanse the palate between creamy bites and offering a refreshing drink pairing.

Flavorful Twists on Ricotta Mac and Cheese

• Spicy Southwest Kick: Add diced jalapeños, swap ricotta for pepper jack cheese, and mix in chili powder and cumin for a zesty southwestern flavor profile.
• Mediterranean Herb Blend: Incorporate crumbled feta, chopped fresh basil, oregano, and sun-dried tomatoes to give the mac and cheese a Mediterranean-inspired taste sensation.
• Truffle Mushroom Elegance: Fold in sautéed wild mushrooms, drizzle with truffle oil, and use a mixture of ricotta and gruyère cheese for a luxurious, earthy experience.
• Bacon Blue Cheese Blast: Crisp up bacon bits, sprinkle blue cheese crumbles, and replace some breadcrumbs with crushed crackers for a smoky, tangy version that packs serious flavor.

Ricotta Mac and Cheese with Garlic Butter Breadcrumbs Recipe

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4.7 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Creamy ricotta mac and cheese elevates comfort classics with its luxurious Italian-inspired twist. Crispy garlic butter breadcrumbs crown this irresistible pasta dish, delivering a perfect crunch that draws you into pure culinary bliss.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 pound (454 grams) short-cut pasta
• 1.25 cups (296 milliliters) whole milk ricotta
• 6 ounces (170 grams) sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated
• 4 ounces (113 grams) monterey jack cheese, freshly grated
• 0.5 cup (118 milliliters) whole milk
• 0.5 cup (118 milliliters) heavy cream

Dairy and Seasoning Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) salted butter
• 1 clove garlic, finely chopped or pressed
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste
• Small pinch ground nutmeg
• Small pinch cayenne pepper
• Small pinch smoked paprika
• 1 cup (237 milliliters) reserved pasta water

Garlic Butter Breadcrumbs:

• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) salted butter
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped or pressed
• 0.75 cup (177 milliliters) panko breadcrumbs

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Instructions

1. Craft golden, aromatic garlic butter breadcrumbs by melting butter in a medium skillet over medium heat.
2. Add minced garlic to the butter, stirring for approximately 30 seconds until releasing a fragrant aroma.
3. Introduce breadcrumbs, mixing thoroughly with garlic butter and toasting until achieving a rich, golden-brown color.
4. Transfer toasted breadcrumbs to a separate bowl, allowing them to cool completely.
5. Fill a large pot with salted water and bring to a rolling boil, preparing to cook pasta slightly under the recommended time (2 minutes less than package instructions).
6. Carefully extract and reserve of pasta cooking water before draining the pasta.
7. Return the pot to low heat, melt additional butter, and briefly sauté fresh minced garlic until wonderfully aromatic.
8. Gently fold cooked pasta into the garlic butter, incorporating reserved pasta water to create a silky base.
9. Gradually introduce ricotta cheese, stirring continuously to ensure even distribution throughout the pasta.
10. Season the mixture with salt, Dijon mustard, nutmeg, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, and freshly ground black pepper.
11. Slowly stream in milk and heavy cream while stirring, creating a smooth and creamy sauce. Adjust liquid consistency as needed using reserved pasta water.
12. Once the sauce reaches a luxurious, coating consistency, transfer to serving dishes and generously sprinkle with the prepared garlic butter breadcrumbs.
13. Serve immediately while warm, ensuring each portion is gloriously topped with the crispy, golden breadcrumbs.

Notes

• Elevate your mac and cheese game with this luxurious ricotta-infused version that transforms a classic comfort food into a gourmet experience.
• Garlic butter breadcrumbs add a crunchy, golden crown that provides irresistible texture and depth of flavor to every creamy bite.
• Cooking pasta slightly under ensures perfect al dente consistency when it finishes cooking in the rich, velvety sauce.
• Reserved pasta water becomes a secret weapon, helping to create a silky smooth sauce that clings perfectly to each pasta strand.
• Ricotta cheese introduces a lighter, creamier dimension compared to traditional heavy cheese sauces, making this dish feel simultaneously indulgent and sophisticated.
• Carefully layered spices like dijon mustard, nutmeg, and cayenne pepper create a complex flavor profile that makes this mac and cheese anything but ordinary.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 670 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 900 mg
• Fat: 38 g
• Saturated Fat: 22 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 55 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 27 g
• Cholesterol: 110 mg