Baked Truffle Cheese Macaroni

An upscale twist on comfort food featuring rich white cheese sauce, aromatic black truffle paste, and a crisp, golden breadcrumb crust baked to perfection.

Ingredients

• 200 g Italian macaroni pasta
• 300 ml milk
• 30 g butter
• 30 g all-purpose flour
• 100 g cheddar cheese
• 50 g Parmesan cheese
• 1 tbsp black truffle paste
• 30 g breadcrumbs
• 1 pinch nutmeg powder
• to taste salt
• to taste black pepper
• 1 tsp olive oil

Instructions

1. 1Pour Milk into Pot

   

   Pour milk from a glass into a black pot placed on a stovetop burner to begin preparing the base for the cheese sauce.

   Tip: Ensure the heat is kept at a moderate level to prevent the milk from scorching.
2. 2Season the milk

   

   Pour milk into a pot and heat it up, then add pepper and nutmeg powder to infuse it with warm, aromatic flavors.

   Tip: Add the spices while the milk is heating so the flavors can fully blend into the liquid.
3. 3Melt the butter

   

   In a separate pan, place a piece of yellow butter and allow it to melt completely over medium heat.

   Tip: Keep the heat moderate to prevent the butter from browning or burning before you add the flour.
4. 4Add flour to the butter

   

   Pour flour from a black spoon directly into the melted butter in the pan to start forming the roux.

   Tip: Add the flour all at once and stir quickly to prevent lumps from forming in the butter mixture.
5. 5Stir the roux

   

   Stir the mixture of butter and flour counterclockwise using a whisk or chopsticks until it forms a smooth, pasty consistency.

   Tip: Cook the roux for a minute to remove the raw flour taste before adding the liquid.
6. 6Combine milk and roux

   

   Pour the heated milk into the pan with the roux and continue stirring counterclockwise to incorporate them smoothly.

   Tip: Pour the milk in a slow, steady stream while whisking vigorously to ensure a lump-free sauce.
7. 7Whisk the white sauce

   

   Continuously stir the sauce mixture in the pot using a whisk to ensure smooth consistency and prevent lumps from forming as it heats and thickens.

   Tip: Keep the whisk moving steadily along the bottom and sides of the pot for an even texture.
8. 8Season the sauce with salt

   

   Sprinkle salt evenly into the pot containing the creamy cheese sauce to enhance its overall flavor.

   Tip: Season gradually and taste the sauce before adding more cheese to avoid over-salting.
9. 9Add shredded cheese to the sauce

   

   Pour shredded cheese directly into the warm sauce mixture while continuously whisking to help the cheese melt evenly and blend into a creamy consistency.

   Tip: Add the cheese gradually while whisking to avoid clumping.
10. 10Stir in black truffle paste

    

    Add a spoonful of black truffle paste into the sauce pot and mix thoroughly to incorporate its rich, earthy aroma and flavor throughout the sauce.

    Tip: Mix the truffle paste well so its intense flavor is evenly distributed.
11. 11Salt the boiling water

    

    Sprinkle salt and a small amount of olive oil into a pot of boiling water on the stove to prepare it for cooking the pasta.

    Tip: Adding salt and oil to the boiling water seasons the pasta from the start and prevents sticking.
12. 12Boil the Italian macaroni pasta

    

    Add the Italian macaroni pasta into a separate pot of boiling water seasoned with salt and olive oil, and let it boil for 7 to 8 minutes.

    Tip: Stir the pasta immediately after adding it to the boiling water to prevent sticking.
13. 13Scoop out the boiled pasta

    

    Use a slotted spoon or strainer to carefully lift the cooked macaroni pasta out of the boiling water.

    Tip: Ensure excess water is drained off the spoon before moving the pasta to the sauce.
14. 14Mix pasta into the creamy sauce

    

    Transfer the drained cooked pasta directly into the pot of prepared creamy sauce so that it thoroughly absorbs the flavor.

    Tip: Toss gently to ensure every piece of macaroni is evenly coated with the truffle cheese sauce.
15. 15Transfer the pasta mixture

    

    Transfer the prepared creamy truffle macaroni pasta from the mixing bowl into a white ceramic baking dish using a ladle.

16. 16Sprinkle Breadcrumbs

    

    Sprinkle breadcrumbs evenly by hand over the surface of the pasta layered in the baking dish to ensure a crispy crust.

    Tip: Distribute the breadcrumbs uniformly so the entire surface achieves an even golden crunch.
17. 17Bake the pasta

    

    Sprinkle breadcrumbs evenly over the top of the pasta and bake in a preheated oven at 200 degrees Celsius for about 20 minutes until the surface turns golden yellow.

    Tip: Keep an eye on the oven near the 20-minute mark to prevent the breadcrumbs from burning.

Storage & Reheating

Burn It Off

Frequently Asked Questions