This truffle mac and cheese recipe takes this classic comfort food to the next level with the addition of the truffle flavor. Whether you’re having a cozy family dinner or entertaining friends for the evening, this indulgent dish is sure to be a hit.
What Is Truffle Mac and Cheese?
Truffles are a type of fungus, often referred to as the diamonds of the culinary world due to their high price and sought-after flavor. They grow underground, and truffle hunters often use trained dogs or pigs to find them. They have a unique, earthy flavor that tastes like a mix of garlic, mushroom, and aged cheese.
A simple pasta foundation is embellished with a creamy cheese sauce infused with truffle or truffle oil. Truffles give dishes like this truffle mac and cheese an extraordinary depth and richness. The combination of the truffle with the creamy blend of cheddar and Parmesan cheeses creates a taste sensation that is both familiar and elevated.
Despite the luxurious ingredients, this truffle macaroni and cheese recipe doesn’t require complicated techniques or difficult cooking methods. Each step, from cooking the pasta to creating the truffle-infused cheese sauce, is easy to follow.
Ingredients You’ll Need for this Recipe
- Short pasta
- Whole milk
- Butter
- White flour
- Dijon mustard
- Dried oregano
- Black truffle or truffle oil
- Garlic powder
- Salt
- Cheddar cheese, shredded
- Parmesan cheese, grated
- Breadcrumbs (optional)
How to Make Truffle Macaroni and Cheese
Cook the pasta:
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
- Bring the pasta water to a boil in a medium-sized pot. Cook pasta until al dente (2 to 3 minutes less than the instructions on the box).
- Drain the pasta and set aside.
Make the cheese sauce:
- Heat the saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the butter and flour, stirring until combined.
- Cook the butter and flour mixture for 2 to 3 more minutes until slightly brown.
- Stir as you pour the whole milk into the saucepan to break up all the lumps.
- Add the oregano, salt, Dijon mustard, and garlic powder to the saucepan, stirring until combined.
- Add the grated truffle or truffle oil to the sauce, stirring until combined.
- Slowly add the shredded cheddar and Parmesan cheeses to the saucepan, stirring until combined.
Assemble and bake the dish:
- Add the cooked pasta and cheese sauce to the baking dish, mixing until the pasta is covered.
- Sprinkle breadcrumbs on top of the pasta mixture if desired.
- Cook the macaroni and cheese in the oven, uncovered, for 5 minutes until browned.
How to Serve Truffle Mac and Cheese
Truffle mac and cheese is best served hot, right out of the oven. You can garnish it with some chopped parsley for a touch of freshness and color contrast. Serve it in a beautiful dish that allows your truffle macaroni and cheese to shine. This dish pairs well with any type of meat and a green salad or grilled vegetables to balance out the richness.
Tips and Variations for this Recipe
To create the best truffle mac and cheese, consider these tips:
- Choose quality ingredients: the truffle (the actual fungus or oil) and cheeses should be of a high standard.
- Opt for a sharp, mature cheddar for a more intense flavor. It can stand up to the earthy truffle taste.
- Grate your own cheese instead of buying pre-grated because it melts better.
- Use any short pasta variety, such as elbow macaroni, rigatoni, farfalle, or shells.
- Cook the pasta al dente so it can keep its firmness throughout the baking process.
- Add a splash of truffle oil at the end for an extra hint of truffle flavor.
- If you decide to add breadcrumbs, try sourdough or ciabatta breadcrumbs for the best crunch.
- Experiment with different kinds of cheese to find your perfect blend: Gruyère, Asiago, or fontina can add unique flavor profiles.
How to Store Leftovers
Store leftover truffle mac and cheese in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 7 days. Reheat in the microwave in a microwave-safe dish. Or reheat over medium-low heat on the stove in a pan with olive oil.
Other Mac and Cheese Recipes
- Bacon and Crab Mac and Cheese
- Lobster Mac and Cheese
- Buttermilk Ranch Mac and Cheese
- Cajun Shrimp Mac and Cheese
The Tastiest Homemade Truffle Mac & Cheese
If you want to upgrade a regular ol' tray of your Grandma's mac and cheese - this is the way to do it. Use shaved black truffles or truffle oil for a delicate, restaurant-worthy experience.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces short pasta
- 2 cups whole milk
- 2 tablespoons butter
- ¼ cup white flour
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 80 grams black truffle, finely grated or 2 tablespoons truffle oil
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- ½ cup breadcrumbs (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375F /190 C.
- Bring pasta water to boil in a medium-sized pot. Cook pasta until al dente (2-3 minutes less than instructions on the box).
- Drain pasta and set aside.
- Heat saucepan over medium-low heat. Add butter and flour, stirring until combined.
- Cook butter and flour mixture for 2-3 minutes until slightly brown.
- Pour milk into saucepan, constantly stirring to break up lumps.
- Add oregano, salt, Djion mustard, and garlic powder to saucepan, stirring until combined.
- Add grated truffle or truffle oil to the sauce, stirring until combined.
- Slowly add shredded cheddar and parmesan to the saucepan, stirring until combined.
- Add pasta and cheese sauce to the baking dish, mixing until pasta is covered.
- Sprinkle breadcrumbs on the top of the pasta mixture.
- Cook pasta in the oven, uncovered, for five minutes until browned.
Notes
Leftovers can be stored in the fridge in a sealed container for up to seven days. For easy reheating, use a microwave-safe dish or heat over medium-low heat in a pan with olive oil.
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