Name: Italian Style Cavatappi and Cheese
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: Italian, American
Ingredients: 1 pound cavatappi macaroni (the Italian word for corkscrew-shaped pasta) or use spirals; 2 cups shredded mozzarella; 1 teaspoon of minced garlic; 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder; 1 cup heavy cream; 2 cups whole milk; 4 tablespoons butter; 1 1/2 cups of half and half; 2 cups shredded extra-sharp cheddar cut up into small pieces; 4 tablespoons of cream cheese; 4 thick slices of provolone cheese cut into small pieces; 1/4 cup of Romano grating cheese; 1 teaspoon of parsley; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; Topping:; 1 cup of Italian flavored bread crumbs; 4 tablespoons of melted butter; pinch of red pepper flakes

Creamy, melted cheeses wrapped around a corkscrew-shaped pasta called cavatappi is one of the best mac and cheese casseroles you will ever make.

This Italian Style Cavatappi and Cheese is a blend of provolone, mozzarella, grated cheese, and more in a rich white creamy sauce.

Although this will take a little more time than any boxed method, your family lovers of cheesy pasta are going to flip over this delicious baked mac and cheese.

The recipe truly is adaptable to even add cooked meats like ham, chicken, steak or even hotdogs if you have just meat-eaters in the family.

Just take a look at our additional suggestions and hey if you are vegetarian, add your favorite sliced vegetables, this basic dish is terrific with zucchini or even some chopped broccoli.

Scroll down to get this easily printable recipe with step-by-step instructions.

baked mac and cheese with a blend of Italian seasonings

Easy Pasta Meals

Growing up we ate lots of pasta meals, and mom would get very creative and never make any kind of premade box-style mac and cheese, everything was from scratch like this recipe.

This simple-to-follow pasta sauce is super easy. It's a basic sauce and can be adapted instantly just by adding different ingredients and is a great use for leftover meats of any kind.

We just love a good cheesy pasta and this is loaded with several kinds this will be a recipe everyone raves about and ask for often.

Other Additions

sauteed mushrooms
chopped broccoli
bell peppers or hot peppers
sliced zucchini or eggplant
tuna fish drained
cooked Italian sausage sliced
cooked pork tenderloin
chopped pepperoni
cooked ham diced
cooked steak
cooked lamb meat
cooked chopped bacon
kielbasa or hotdogs
any leftover rotisserie chicken or roasted chicken breast boneless

Use any kind of Pasta Suggestions

rigatoni
bowties
mostaccioli
spirals
seashells
penne
elbows

Tips

cook any kind of pasta you like to package instructions and keep warm
always spray your casserole dish heavily with oil spray
make a full meat lovers pasta by adding loose sausage, pepperoni, bacon, or ham
use sharp cheeses for best results any kind can be substituted
add mushrooms or other vegetables in the sauce you like
use Pecorino Romano cheese for garnishing and bread crumbs drizzled with olive oil
for a healthier version just use a low-carb pasta or whole wheat

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Everyone Love Mac and Cheese Pasta

If you have kids who are super picky but everyone young and young at heart loves this cheesy dish of pasta.

Again get creative, if your family loves kielbasa instead of hotdogs, chop some up and add them in everything in one pan, even bacon is a great choice.

Enjoy and don't forget to leave me a comment if you try mom's recipe.