Dreamy Ricotta Mac and Cheese with Garlic Butter Breadcrumbs Recipe

Comfort food reaches new heights with this irresistible ricotta mac and cheese that promises to tantalize your taste buds.

Creamy, rich textures meld perfectly with crispy, golden garlic butter breadcrumbs sprinkled across the top.

Every forkful delivers a delightful combination of smooth cheese and crunchy breadcrumb layers.

The secret lies in the velvety ricotta that adds an unexpected luxurious twist to classic mac and cheese.

Sharp cheddar and mozzarella create a harmonious cheese blend that melts into pure deliciousness.

garlic-infused breadcrumbs provide a savory crunch that elevates this dish from simple to spectacular.

Let’s find out this comforting recipe that transforms an ordinary weeknight meal into an extraordinary culinary experience.

Cooking Instructions for Ricotta Mac and Cheese with Garlic Butter Topping

• Breadcrumb Preparation

In a skillet, melt butter and add minced garlic, creating a fragrant base. Toss breadcrumbs until they turn golden and crispy. Let them cool completely while preparing the rest of the dish.

• Pasta Cooking

Boil pasta in salted water, pulling it out slightly before fully cooked. Save a cup of pasta water for later sauce magic.

• Cheese Sauce Creation

Return pot to low heat, melt butter, and gently blend ricotta with seasonings. Slowly introduce cream and pasta water, stirring until sauce becomes silky and smooth.

• Breadcrumb Topping

Sprinkle those crunchy golden breadcrumbs over the mac and cheese, creating a delightful textural contrast to the creamy base.

• Final Touch

Serve immediately while hot, ensuring each bite delivers a perfect balance of creamy cheese and crispy garlic breadcrumbs.

Breadcrumb Tips and Flavor Enhancers for Ricotta Mac and Cheese

• Experiment with different cheese combinations like sharp cheddar, gruyère, or fontina to add depth and complexity to your ricotta mac and cheese.
• Fold in fresh chopped herbs like basil, thyme, or parsley just before serving to brighten up the creamy dish with a burst of fresh flavor.
• Try alternative toppings such as toasted pine nuts, crispy bacon bits, or crushed crackers for an extra textural surprise beyond the garlic butter breadcrumbs.
• Kick up the heat by adding red pepper flakes, a dash of hot sauce, or incorporate diced jalapeños into the cheese sauce for those who love a little kick.
• Prepare the dish completely, cover, and refrigerate for up to two days. When ready to serve, reheat in the oven at 350°F, adding a splash of milk to restore creaminess and refresh the breadcrumb topping's crispness.

Serving Ricotta Mac and Cheese with Style

• Golden Garlic Crunch: Sprinkle those toasted garlic butter breadcrumbs over the top for an irresistible crispy texture that adds delightful crunch and aromatic flavor to every single bite.
• Family Movie Night Star: Serve this creamy ricotta mac and cheese as the perfect comfort food centerpiece during cozy movie evenings, guaranteed to make everyone smile and ask for seconds.
• Wine Pairing Delight: Complement the rich, creamy mac and cheese with a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or a light Pinot Grigio to balance the dish's decadent cheesy goodness and enhance overall dining experience.
• Fresh Herb Finish: Garnish with chopped fresh parsley, chives, or basil right before serving to add a bright, fresh element that cuts through the richness and provides a beautiful pop of color to the dish.

Storing Leftover Mac and Cheese

• Smart Storage Solutions
• Cooling and Refrigeration: Transfer leftover mac and cheese to an airtight container, ensuring it cools completely before sealing. Refrigerate for up to 4 days, maintaining optimal flavor and texture.
• Freezer-Friendly Strategy: Package meal in freezer-safe containers, separating breadcrumbs to prevent sogginess. Freeze for maximum 2 months, thawing overnight in refrigerator before reheating.
• Reheating Magic: Revive chilled mac and cheese in microwave with splash of milk to restore creamy consistency. Alternatively, warm in oven at 350°F, covering with foil to prevent drying, then sprinkle fresh breadcrumbs on top for crunch.
• Portion Control Trick: Divide recipe into individual serving containers before storing. This approach simplifies meal prep, allows quick grab-and-go lunches, and prevents unnecessary repeated reheating that might compromise quality.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 455 kcal

Servings: 7

Ricotta Mac and Cheese with Garlic Breadcrumbs Ingredients

• Short-Cut Pasta: Sturdy pasta shape that holds creamy sauce perfectly, choose robust varieties like rigatoni or shells for maximum cheese-catching potential.

• Whole Milk Ricotta, Whole Milk, Heavy Cream: Luxurious dairy trio creating silky, rich texture with subtle tangy undertones, select fresh, high-quality options for ultimate creaminess.
• Sharp Cheddar Cheese, Monterey Jack Cheese: Flavor-packed cheeses melting into irresistible golden goodness, opt for freshly grated blocks for superior melting and depth.

• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasoning foundations balancing overall dish taste.
• Ground Nutmeg, Cayenne Pepper, Smoked Paprika: Subtle spice blend adding warm complexity and gentle background heat.

• Salted Butter, Garlic: Aromatic base creating crispy, golden topping with intense savory notes.
• Panko Breadcrumbs: Light, airy crumbs delivering perfect crunchy texture and golden-brown finish.

Tools for the Creamiest Ricotta Mac and Cheese Ever

• Large skillet: Perfect for toasting golden breadcrumbs with garlic butter.
• Large pot: Essential for boiling pasta and creating creamy sauce.
• Wooden spoon: Ideal for stirring pasta, mixing breadcrumbs, and combining sauce ingredients.
• Colander: Needed to drain pasta after cooking.
• Measuring cups: Helpful for accurately measuring pasta water, milk, and cream.
• Garlic press or knife: Required for mincing fresh garlic.
• Mixing bowl: Useful for setting aside toasted breadcrumbs.

Creamy Ricotta Mac and Cheese with Garlic Butter Breadcrumbs

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4.9 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Creamy ricotta mac and cheese elevates comfort classics with luxurious Italian cheese and crispy garlic butter breadcrumbs. Diners discover rich pasta layers complemented by golden, herbed crumbs that add delightful crunch and depth to each comforting bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (454 g) short-cut pasta
• 1.25 cups (296 ml) whole milk ricotta
• 6 oz (170 g) sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated
• 4 oz (113 g) monterey jack cheese, freshly grated
• 0.5 cup (118 ml) whole milk
• 0.5 cup (118 ml) heavy cream
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) 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 ml) reserved pasta water
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) salted butter
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped or pressed
• 0.75 cup (177 ml) panko breadcrumbs

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Instructions

1. Garlic Butter Breadcrumbs: Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat, add minced garlic, and sauté briefly. Incorporate breadcrumbs, toasting until golden-brown and aromatic. Set aside to cool completely.
2. Pasta Preparation: Boil salted water and cook pasta 2 minutes less than package instructions. Reserve some pasta water before draining.
3. Flavor Foundation: Return pot to low heat, melt butter, and sauté fresh minced garlic until fragrant. Fold cooked pasta into garlic butter, using reserved pasta water to create a silky base.
4. Cheese Integration: Gently fold ricotta cheese into the pasta, ensuring even distribution. Season with salt, Dijon mustard, nutmeg, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, and black pepper.
5. Sauce Development: Slowly stream milk and heavy cream while stirring, creating a smooth, creamy sauce. Adjust consistency with reserved pasta water if needed.
6. Final Assembly: Transfer to serving dishes, generously top with prepared garlic butter breadcrumbs. Serve immediately while warm, ensuring each portion is gloriously crowned with crispy, golden breadcrumbs.

Notes

• Pasta Water Magic: Reserve a cup of starchy pasta water to help create a silky, smooth sauce that clings perfectly to noodles.
• Cheese Melting Technique: Stir ricotta continuously to prevent clumping and ensure a creamy, even texture throughout the dish.
• Breadcrumb Pro Tip: Let garlic butter breadcrumbs cool completely to maintain their crispy crunch when sprinkled on top.
• Seasoning Balance: Start with small amounts of spices like cayenne and smoked paprika, tasting and adjusting to prevent overpowering the delicate ricotta flavor.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 455
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 620 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 42 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 18 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg