Guest Blog Written By: Denise from The Mutts Kitchen
If you can learn to make 2 basic Italian sauces, you are set! ! Italian Tomato sauce and Cream (Besicallema) sauce. You can use any of these 2 sauces to create mouth watering dishes by adding meat, and/or veggies. To show you how easy it is, we’re featuring my Italian Mac n Cheese, also known as ‘ pasta al forno’ with an easy besciamella sauce, it’s just like my mama used to make it!(except for the bread crumble, that’s my added touch ). This cream sauce takes you under 10 minutes to make, which means if you are looking for a quick meal, you can have a pasta dish, like ‘Fettucini alfredo’ on your table in less than 30 minutes!
I hope you enjoy this Sunday favorite as much my family does (WARNING: you will be asked to make this repeatedly)
Italian Baked Mac & Cheese
Ingredients, Bread Crumble (For Topping):
½ cup bread crumbs
1 tbsp, butter (cold and diced)
Ingredients, Besciamella (Cream) Sauce:
2 tbsp butter
2 cups 35% cream
1 cup chicken broth (room temp)
1 tbsp white flour
3 tbsp fresh parmesan cheese, grated
1/8 tsp nutmeg
Pinch black pepper
Salt to taste (if needed)
Other ingredients:
1 box (425g) macaroni pasta
1 cup grated fresh mozzarella
Directions:
Preheat oven to 400-425
1. In a small bowl mix bread crumbs and diced butter. With your fingers crumble bread and butter until well combined (should feel grainy) set aside in the fridge until ready to use.
2. Cook pasta according to directions and drain. Place cooked pasta in casserole dish, add about 1 tsp of olive oil to the pasta and mix well. Set aside
3. In a sauce pan, heat butter. Once melted, slowly add flour whisk. Continue to whisk until well mixed and it starts to become thick
(*key in the next few steps is to continuously whisk)
4. Slowly add chicken broth 1/3 cup at a time, continue whisking as you add the broth and whisk for about a minute until it starts to becomes thick. Your heat should be at medium-high.
5. As you whisk, add cream. Bring sauce to a simmer (make sure it does not boil). Depending on your stove, your heat should be between medium and low).
6. Add nutmeg, black pepper. Still whisking slowing, let it lightly simmer for about 3 minutes
7. Add parmesan cheese, continue whisking and let simmer for another 2-3 minutes
8. Add salt to taste (if needed)
9. Add sauce to pasta, and mix.
10. Add 2/3 of grated mozzarella, and stir into the pasta.
11. Spread rest of mozzarella on top
12. Spread bread crumble on top. Cover baking dish with foil
13. Bake at 400-425 for 25-30min. Bake uncovered for last 5-10 minutes
14. Let it sit for about 5 minutes before serving
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