The Cheesiest Barefoot Contessa Truffle Mac and Cheese Recipe

Truffle mac and cheese elevates the classic comfort food into a gourmet experience that transforms an ordinary meal into something extraordinary.

Luxurious and indulgent, this recipe merges familiar childhood nostalgia with sophisticated culinary techniques.

Earthy truffle essence adds remarkable depth to the traditional cheesy blend.

The combination creates a harmonious balance between rustic warmth and elegant flavor profiles.

Creamy textures intermingle with crisp breadcrumb accents, promising a multilayered sensory journey.

Each carefully crafted bite delivers a sumptuous blend of rich, decadent ingredients.

You’ll find this dish irresistibly compelling and surprisingly simple to prepare: prepare to be amazed.

Why Truffle Mac and Cheese Smells Like Luxury

• Elevate Comfort Food: Transform the classic mac and cheese into a luxurious dish with truffle butter, gourmet mushrooms, and a blend of rich Gruyère and Cheddar cheeses that make every bite extraordinary.
• Master Sophisticated Cooking Techniques: Learn professional culinary methods like scalding milk, creating a smooth cheese sauce, and developing complex flavor layers through sautéing mushrooms and using cream sherry.
• Enjoy Textural Perfection: Experience a delightful contrast between crispy herbed breadcrumb topping, creamy cheese sauce, tender pasta, and perfectly sautéed mushrooms that create a truly memorable eating experience.

The Ingredients That Bring the Truffle Glow

Main Ingredients:

• Cavatappi Pasta: Classic curved pasta shape that holds sauce well, perfect for creamy mac and cheese.
• Shiitake Mushrooms, Cremini Mushrooms: Rich, earthy mushrooms that add deep umami flavor and meaty texture to the dish.

• Whole Milk: Creamy base for the sauce, provides rich and smooth consistency.
• Gruyère Cheese: Nutty Swiss cheese that melts beautifully and adds complex flavor.
• Cheddar Cheese: Sharp cheese that brings classic mac and cheese taste and excellent melting quality.
• Truffle Butter: Luxurious butter infused with truffle, adding sophisticated and intense flavor.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance overall taste.
• Nutmeg: Warm spice that complements cheese sauce with subtle aromatic notes.
• Cream Sherry: Adds depth and slight sweetness to mushroom preparation.

• Flour: Thickens cheese sauce and creates smooth consistency.
• White Bread: Creates crispy, herbed breadcrumb topping for crunchy texture.
• Fresh Parsley: Adds fresh, bright herb flavor to breadcrumb mixture.
• Garlic: Provides aromatic and savory notes to breadcrumb topping.

• Butter, Olive Oil: Help sauté mushrooms and provide rich flavor base.

How to Pull Off Mac and Cheese with a Rich Flair

Step 1: Prepare The Oven

Fire up your oven to 375°F (190°C), creating the perfect warming environment for this cheesy masterpiece.

Step 2: Sauté Magical Mushrooms

• Shiitake mushrooms
• Cremini mushrooms

Cook for 3-5 minutes until tender. Splash in cream sherry and simmer for 2-3 minutes. Set these flavor-packed mushrooms aside.

Step 3: Cook Pasta Perfectly

Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Sprinkle in salt and add cavatappi pasta. Cook for 6-8 minutes until beautifully al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 4: Create Silky Milk Base

Gently heat whole milk in a medium saucepan over low heat. Warm until scalded, avoiding any boiling.

Step 5: Craft Decadent Cheese Sauce

• Gruyère cheese
• Cheddar cheese
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Nutmeg

Step 6: Combine Pasta And Sauce

Mix cooked pasta with cheese sauce and two-thirds of the sautéed mushrooms. Transfer this heavenly mixture into a 10 × 13 × 2-inch baking dish.

Step 7: Whip Up Herbed Breadcrumb Topping

• White bread
• Garlic
• Fresh parsley

Pulse until transformed into fine, aromatic crumbs. Sprinkle this herbed topping over the pasta and scatter remaining mushrooms.

Step 8: Bake To Golden Perfection

Slide the baking dish into the preheated oven. Bake for 35-45 minutes until sauce bubbles with excitement and breadcrumbs turn a gorgeous golden brown.

Step 9: Serve And Savor

Allow the mac and cheese to rest for 5 minutes. Serve piping hot, letting the incredible aromas fill the room and tantalize taste buds.

Tips for Getting That Truffle Just Right

• Select Premium Mushrooms: Choose fresh shiitake and cremini mushrooms for an intense, rich flavor that elevates the entire mac and cheese experience.
• Perfect Milk Technique: Scald the milk gently before adding to the sauce, guaranteeing a silky-smooth texture without any unwanted lumps.
• Cook Pasta Precisely: Aim for al dente pasta by cooking it just until tender, ensuring it maintains a delightful bite after baking.
• Preserve Truffle Magic: Add truffle butter off the heat to protect its delicate, luxurious aroma and maximize its incredible flavor profile.
• Allow Resting Time: Give the mac and cheese a brief 5-minute rest after baking, allowing the sauce to set and creating easier, more elegant serving portions.

Store It Without Losing That Elegant Aroma

• Freeze Wisely: Preserve your gourmet mac and cheese by transferring to a freezer-safe container with an airtight seal. Frozen portions maintain best quality for 2 months, preventing freezer burn and preserving delicate truffle flavor.
• Refrigeration Strategy: Seal leftover mac and cheese in a tight container, keeping it fresh and appetizing for 3 days. Place in the coldest part of your refrigerator to maintain optimal texture and prevent bacterial growth.
• Reheating Perfection: Restore the dish's creamy decadence by warming in the oven at 350°F, covered with foil for 20-25 minutes. Add a splash of milk before reheating to revive the sauce's silky consistency and prevent dryness.

Truffle Variations Worth Every Bite

• Veggie Lover's Remix: Replace shiitake and cremini mushrooms with roasted zucchini, bell peppers, and spinach for a vegetable-packed version.
• Spicy Southern Style: Add diced jalapeños, crispy bacon bits, and swap Gruyère with pepper jack cheese to create a zesty, hearty mac and cheese.
• Mediterranean Herb Escape: Incorporate sun-dried tomatoes, crumbled feta cheese, and fresh basil leaves for a Mediterranean-inspired flavor profile that transforms the classic recipe.
• Seafood Celebration: Mix in cooked lobster or crab meat, replace truffle butter with garlic butter, and sprinkle fresh chives on top for an elegant seafood mac and cheese experience.

A Rich Ending to a Creamy Mac Chapter

Gourmet mac and cheese reaches new heights with Barefoot Contessa’s truffle-infused masterpiece.

Complex mushroom layers and creamy cheese sauce create an unforgettable culinary experience.

Rich Gruyère and sharp Cheddar meld with earthy shiitake and cremini mushrooms for ultimate comfort.

Herbed breadcrumbs provide delightful crunch against silky pasta textures.

Sophisticated yet approachable, this recipe elevates classic comfort cuisine to restaurant-quality brilliance.

Delicious aromas and luxurious flavors will have friends and family requesting seconds – so grab ingredients, channel inner chef, and prepare to wow your dinner table.

Click share to spread mac and cheese magic, comment with your truffle twist, and like for more Barefoot Contessa inspiration!

Barefoot Contessa Truffle Mac And Cheese Recipe

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4.5 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s truffle mac and cheese elevates comfort classics with luxurious white truffle butter and sharp gruyère. Creamy, indulgent pasta promises a gourmet experience that melts perfectly on your palate, delivering restaurant-quality richness in each comforting bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Mushrooms:

• 0.5 pound (227 grams) shiitake mushrooms, stems removed, caps sliced 0.5 inch thick
• 0.5 pound (227 grams) cremini mushrooms, stems removed, caps sliced 0.5 inch thick

Pasta and Cheese:

• 1 pound (454 grams) cavatappi pasta
• 4 cups (946 milliliters) whole milk
• 4 cups (340 grams) grated Gruyère cheese
• 3 cups (226 grams) grated extra-sharp white Cheddar cheese
• 0.5 cup (60 grams) all-purpose flour
• 3 ounces (85 grams) white truffle butter

Additional Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
• 0.25 cup (60 milliliters) cream sherry
• 1.5 cups (180 grams) diced white bread, crusts removed
• 2 garlic cloves, chopped
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 0.5 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• Kosher salt, to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to a precise 375°F (190°C), ensuring an ideal baking environment.
2. Prepare the mushrooms by heating butter and olive oil in a large 12-inch sauté pan over medium temperature. Gently sauté shiitake and cremini mushrooms until they become tender and slightly caramelized, approximately 3 to 5 minutes. Deglaze the pan with cream sherry, allowing the liquid to harmonize with the mushrooms for an additional 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer the mushroom mixture to a separate container.
3. Fill a large cooking pot with water and add a tablespoon of salt. Bring the water to a rolling boil, then carefully introduce the cavatappi pasta. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes until the pasta reaches a perfect al dente consistency. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
4. Gently heat whole milk in a medium saucepan over low heat, bringing it to a scalded state without allowing it to boil. This process helps develop a rich, smooth texture.
5. Create a velvety cheese sauce by melting truffle butter in a large 4-quart saucepan. Incorporate flour and whisk continuously for 2 minutes to create a smooth roux. Gradually introduce the scalded milk, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens and becomes luxuriously creamy. Remove from heat and fold in Gruyère and Cheddar cheeses, along with salt, pepper, and a hint of nutmeg.
6. Combine the cooked pasta with the decadent cheese sauce, mixing in two-thirds of the prepared mushrooms. Transfer the mixture to a 10 × 13 × 2-inch ovenproof baking dish, ensuring even distribution.
7. Craft a crispy breadcrumb topping by processing white bread, garlic, and fresh parsley in a food processor until transformed into fine, delicate crumbs. Generously sprinkle the herbed breadcrumbs over the pasta, and garnish with the remaining sautéed mushrooms.
8. Slide the baking dish into the preheated oven and bake for 35 to 45 minutes. Look for a bubbling sauce and golden-brown breadcrumb topping as indicators of perfect doneness.
9. Allow the dish to rest for 5 minutes after removing from the oven, enabling the flavors to settle and the sauce to slightly thicken. Serve immediately to enjoy the optimal taste and texture.

Notes

• Fresh mushrooms are key to rich, complex flavors in this dish, with shiitake and cremini varieties offering the most robust taste profile.
• Scalding milk before blending prevents unsightly lumps, guaranteeing a silky-smooth cheese sauce every single time.
• Pasta requires precise cooking – aim for al dente texture to maintain structural integrity during the baking process.
• Truffle butter introduces a luxurious final touch, carefully stirred off the heat to protect its delicate aromatic essence.
• Allowing the casserole to rest after baking helps sauce molecules settle, creating a more cohesive and appetizing presentation.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 290
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 11 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 12 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg