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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- Craft golden, aromatic garlic butter breadcrumbs by melting butter in a medium skillet over medium heat.
- Add minced garlic to the butter, stirring for approximately 30 seconds until releasing a fragrant aroma.
- Introduce breadcrumbs, mixing thoroughly with garlic butter and toasting until achieving a rich, golden-brown color.
- Transfer toasted breadcrumbs to a separate bowl, allowing them to cool completely.
- 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).
- Carefully extract and reserve of pasta cooking water before draining the pasta.
- Return the pot to low heat, melt additional butter, and briefly sauté fresh minced garlic until wonderfully aromatic.
- Gently fold cooked pasta into the garlic butter, incorporating reserved pasta water to create a silky base.
- Gradually introduce ricotta cheese, stirring continuously to ensure even distribution throughout the pasta.
- Season the mixture with salt, Dijon mustard, nutmeg, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, and freshly ground black pepper.
- Slowly stream in milk and heavy cream while stirring, creating a smooth and creamy sauce. Adjust liquid consistency as needed using reserved pasta water.
- Once the sauce reaches a luxurious, coating consistency, transfer to serving dishes and generously sprinkle with the prepared garlic butter breadcrumbs.
- 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