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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- 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.
- Pasta Preparation: Boil salted water and cook pasta 2 minutes less than package instructions. Reserve some pasta water before draining.
- 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.
- 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.
- Sauce Development: Slowly stream milk and heavy cream while stirring, creating a smooth, creamy sauce. Adjust consistency with reserved pasta water if needed.
- 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