Olive Garden Mac and Cheese Recipe
Discover the ultimate Olive Garden mac and cheese recipe - a creamy, cheesy delight perfect for family dinners. Easy to make and utterly delicious!
Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Cook Time 30 minutes mins
Total Time 50 minutes mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine American, Italian
Servings 6
Calories 650 kcal
Large pot for boiling pasta
Strainer or colander
Medium saucepan for the sauce
Whisk
Baking dish for that golden top layer
Cheese grater (because fresh is best!)
- 1 pound Elbow macaroni
- 4 tablespoons Butter
- 1/4 cup All-purpose flour
- 2 cups Whole milk
- 1 cup Heavy cream
- 2 cups grated Sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup grated Mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Black pepper
- 1/2 cup Bread crumbs
Preparing the Pasta
As the water boils, add salt to a big pot.
Follow the directions on the package to cook the elbow pasta until it is al dente.
Let the pasta drain, then set it aside.
Crafting the Creamy Sauce
The butter should be melted in a medium-sized saucepan over medium-low heat.
Whisk in the all-purpose flour to create a roux. It will take about 2 minutes of stirring constantly to keep it from burning.
Gradually pour in the whole milk and heavy cream, whisking continuously until the mixture is smooth and begins to thicken.
Add the grated sharp cheddar, mozzarella, and half of the Parmesan cheese to the saucepan. It’s best to stir the sauce and cheeses together until the sauce is smooth.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Combining Pasta and Sauce
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked macaroni with the cheese sauce, ensuring that every noodle is coated in creamy goodness.
Move the macaroni mix to a baking dish that has been greased.
Baking to Perfection
Sprinkle the remaining Parmesan cheese and bread crumbs over the top of the macaroni mixture.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and crispy.
- For an extra crispy topping, broil the mac and cheese for the last 2-3 minutes of baking.
- Feel free to mix in some cooked vegetables or protein to make this dish even heartier.
- If the sauce thickens too much while cooking, simply add a splash more milk until the desired consistency is reached.
Keyword Olive Garden Mac and Cheese Recipe