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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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