Ina Garten’s Dreamy Overnight Mac & Cheese Recipe

Ina Garten’s overnight mac & cheese transforms a classic comfort dish into an extraordinary culinary experience that promises pure indulgence.

Creamy textures and rich flavors meld together in this sophisticated take on a beloved classic.

Cheese lovers will appreciate the carefully selected combination of sharp and nutty ingredients that elevate this dish beyond typical expectations.

Weekend meal preparation becomes a delightful adventure with this make-ahead recipe that simplifies dinner planning.

Home cooks can anticipate a crowd-pleasing meal that feels both elegant and nostalgic.

The strategic layering of ingredients ensures deep, complex flavors that develop beautifully overnight.

You’ll find this recipe strikes the perfect balance between simplicity and gourmet sophistication: get ready to impress your dinner guests.

Overnight Mac & Cheese You’ll Rely On

• Master Overnight Magic: This recipe transforms ordinary mac and cheese into an extraordinary dish by letting pasta slowly absorb cream overnight, creating incredibly rich and deeply flavored results.
• Hands-Off Culinary Brilliance: Minimal active cooking time means you'll spend just minutes prepping, then let refrigeration and resting do the hard work for an effortlessly delicious meal.
• Gourmet Cheese Explosion: The combination of Gruyère and Cheddar delivers a luxurious, complex flavor profile that elevates this classic comfort food from basic to restaurant-quality gourmet experience.
• Make-Ahead Meal Perfection: Prepare the entire dish a day in advance, making it ideal for busy weeknights, dinner parties, or anyone wanting to reduce last-minute cooking stress while still serving an impressive meal.

Overnight Mac Ingredient Prep

• Cavatappi Pasta: A fun, curly pasta that holds creamy sauce perfectly and provides great texture.
• Salt: Enhances pasta flavor and helps season the cooking water.

• Gruyère Cheese, Cheddar Cheese: Rich, melty cheeses that create a complex, deeply savory flavor profile with excellent creamy consistency.

• Heavy Cream: Provides luxurious richness and helps create a smooth, velvety sauce.

• Ground Nutmeg: Adds subtle warmth and depth to the cheese mixture.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and enhance overall flavor.

• Breadcrumbs: Adds crispy, golden texture to the mac and cheese surface.
• Unsalted Butter: Helps brown breadcrumbs and adds richness to the topping.

Putting Together the Mac & Cheese

Step 1: Kick Off the Pasta Cooking

Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add salt. Cook pasta for 4 minutes so it’s slightly undercooked. Drain and set aside without rinsing.

Step 2: Create the Creamy Cheese Blend

• Heavy cream
• Gruyère cheese
• Cheddar cheese
• Ground nutmeg
• Salt
• Black pepper

Step 3: Merge Pasta with Creamy Goodness

Gently fold the warm pasta into the cheese mixture. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 24 hours. This allows the pasta to soak up all the delicious flavors.

Step 4: Prep for Baking

Remove the pasta mixture from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about an hour. Alternatively, warm it briefly in the microwave. Preheat the oven to 400°F.

Step 5: Get the Baking Dish Ready

Generously butter a 9 × 13 × 2-inch baking dish. Stir the pasta mixture thoroughly and spread it evenly in the dish.

Step 6: Add Cheese and Crispy Topping

• Remaining Gruyère cheese
• Remaining Cheddar cheese

Sprinkle the cheese evenly over the pasta.

Mix breadcrumbs with melted butter and scatter over the cheese layer.

Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, rotating the dish halfway through. Look for a beautiful golden-brown top. Serve piping hot and enjoy the creamy, cheesy goodness!

Tips for Creamy Overnight Mac

• Grate Fresh Cheese: Skip pre-shredded bags and hand-grate your cheese for ultra-creamy, smooth melting that coats every pasta noodle perfectly.
• Undercook Pasta Strategically: Boil pasta just 4 minutes to keep it firm, allowing it to absorb the rich cream sauce without turning mushy during baking.
• Warm Before Baking: Remove the chilled mac and cheese from the refrigerator one hour before baking to ensure even, consistent heating throughout the dish.
• Butter Generously: Coat your baking dish with a thick layer of butter to prevent sticking and add an extra layer of rich, delicious flavor.
• Rotate for Golden Perfection: Spin the baking dish midway through cooking to achieve an evenly bronzed, crispy top that looks as delicious as it tastes.

Storage Tips for Your Mac & Cheese

• Freeze: Lock in freshness by transferring cooled mac and cheese to heavy-duty freezer bags or sealed containers. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn. Label with the date and contents. Enjoy delicious mac and cheese up to 2 months later without losing flavor or texture.
• Refrigerate: Protect your creamy masterpiece by storing in an airtight glass or plastic container with a tight-fitting lid. Keep refrigerated for 3-4 days maximum. Place the container on the middle shelf to maintain consistent temperature and prevent accidental spills.
• Reheat: Revive your mac and cheese with a splash of milk or cream to restore its original silky consistency. Microwave in short intervals, stirring between each 30-45 second burst.

Ways to Mix Up Mac & Cheese

• Spicy Southwestern Mac & Cheese: Add diced jalapeños, green chiles, and swap some Gruyère for pepper jack cheese. Mix in cooked chorizo for extra heat and flavor.
• Mediterranean Herb Mac & Cheese: Incorporate crumbled feta, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh basil. Replace some cream with Greek yogurt for tanginess and lighter texture.
• Truffle Mushroom Mac & Cheese: Sauté wild mushrooms like shiitake and porcini, then fold into the mixture. Drizzle white truffle oil before baking for an elegant, earthy profile.
• Bacon Blue Cheese Mac & Cheese: Crisp pancetta or bacon and crumble over top. Replace some Cheddar with strong blue cheese for a rich, smoky dimension.

Wrap-Up for Overnight Comfort Food

Mac & cheese enthusiasts discover culinary magic with Ina Garten’s overnight sensation.

Creamy Gruyère and Cheddar blend into luxurious comfort, elevating classic pasta beyond ordinary expectations.

Strategic overnight refrigeration transforms simple ingredients into gourmet excellence.

Cheese layers meld seamlessly, creating complex flavor profiles that dance across palates.

Perfect for gathering friends or indulging solo, this recipe promises restaurant-quality satisfaction from home kitchens.

Passionate cooks, this mac & cheese beckons with irresistible charm – share your dish, snap a photo, and tag fellow cheese lovers to spread deliciousness far and wide.

Ina Garten Overnight Mac & Cheese Recipe

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4.6 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s Overnight Mac & Cheese delivers rich, creamy comfort straight from her Hamptons kitchen. Delicious layers of sharp cheddar and Gruyère meld with pasta, creating a make-ahead marvel that promises pure indulgence when served warm and golden.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 12 ounces (340 grams) cavatappi pasta
• 4½ cups (1080 milliliters) heavy cream
• 3 cups (240 grams) grated Gruyère cheese
• 1½ cups (120 grams) grated sharp white Cheddar cheese

Seasonings and Spices:

• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

Topping:

• 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) unsalted butter, melted
• 2½ cups (300 grams) fresh white breadcrumbs

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Instructions

1. Prepare pasta one day ahead by bringing a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Season with of salt, then add pasta and cook for precisely 4 minutes, ensuring it remains slightly undercooked. Drain thoroughly without rinsing and set aside to cool.
2. Create a creamy base in a medium-sized mixing bowl by whisking together heavy cream, 1½ cups (150 grams) of Gruyère cheese, ¾ cup (75 grams) of Cheddar cheese, a pinch of ground nutmeg, of salt, and 1½ teaspoons (7.5 milliliters) of freshly ground black pepper until well combined.
3. Gently fold the slightly cooled pasta into the cream mixture, ensuring each pasta strand is evenly coated. Cover the bowl securely with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 24 hours, allowing the pasta to absorb the rich, creamy mixture.
4. Remove the pasta mixture from the refrigerator approximately 1 hour before baking to reach room temperature. Alternatively, warm gently in the microwave for 4 minutes. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C), positioning the rack in the center.
5. Generously grease a 9 × 13 × 2-inch (23 × 33 × 5-centimeter) baking dish with butter. Stir the chilled pasta mixture thoroughly to redistribute the cream, then transfer to the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly with a spatula.
6. Combine the remaining 1½ cups (150 grams) of Gruyère and ¾ cup (75 grams) of Cheddar cheese. Sprinkle the cheese blend uniformly over the pasta. Toss breadcrumbs with of melted butter and distribute evenly across the cheese layer.
7. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, rotating the dish midway to ensure uniform browning. Remove when the top turns golden brown and crispy. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving hot, allowing the cheese to set slightly.

Notes

• Prevent sauce separation by letting ingredients come to room temperature before mixing.
• Add extra sharp cheddar for a deeper, more intense cheese flavor that cuts through creamy textures.
• Sprinkle breadcrumbs on top for a crunchy golden layer that provides amazing textural contrast.
• Skip pre-shredded cheese since fresh-grated melts more smoothly and creates a silkier sauce.
• Rest the dish after baking for 10 minutes to allow sauce to set and flavors to fully develop.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Sugar: 1.6 g
• Sodium: 460 mg
• Fat: 5 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.6 g
• Carbohydrates: 23 g
• Fiber: 1.2 g
• Protein: 7 g
• Cholesterol: 8 mg