Barefoot Contessa’s Overnight Mac And Cheese Recipe: Sleep & Feast

Comfort food reaches new heights with this delightful Barefoot Contessa overnight mac and cheese recipe that promises creamy, cheesy goodness.

Ina Garten’s approach turns a classic dish into something extraordinary.

Rich, decadent layers of cheese blend seamlessly with perfectly cooked pasta.

The overnight method ensures deep, complex flavors that melt in your mouth.

Busy home cooks adore this make-ahead marvel that simplifies dinner prep.

Each bite delivers a luxurious combination of textures and tastes that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Dive into this irresistible mac and cheese that’s sure to become a weeknight dinner staple.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 660 kcal

Servings: 6

Everything in Barefoot Contessa Overnight Mac And Cheese

• Pasta: Backbone of the dish, choose a shape that cradles cheese beautifully like elbow macaroni or shells, select high-quality pasta with sturdy texture that holds sauce well.

• Gruyère, Cheddar: Luxurious cheese combination creating rich, complex flavor profile, select aged varieties for deeper taste, grate fresh for optimal melting and smoothness.

• Heavy Cream: Silky foundation providing luscious texture, opt for organic cream with high butterfat content for maximum richness.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasoning elements enhancing overall flavor depth, use freshly ground black pepper for vibrant taste.

• Nutmeg: Subtle warmth adding sophisticated undertone, freshly grated provides more intense flavor compared to pre-ground.

• Breadcrumbs: Delivers delightful crunch, choose panko for extra crispy texture, use day-old bread for homemade breadcrumbs.
• Butter: Helps breadcrumbs achieve golden-brown perfection, select unsalted butter for better control of saltiness.

Equipment List for Barefoot Contessa Overnight Mac And Cheese

• Large Pot: Essential for boiling pasta and creating the initial cooking base.
• Medium Bowl: Perfect for mixing cream, cheese, and seasonings before combining with pasta.
• Colander: Needed to drain pasta quickly and efficiently.
• 9 × 13 × 2-inch Baking Dish: Crucial for baking and serving the mac and cheese.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Vital for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring pasta and mixing ingredients smoothly.
• Plastic Wrap: Necessary for covering and refrigerating the pasta mixture overnight.
• Microwave (optional): Helpful for warming the pasta mixture before baking.
• Cheese Grater: Useful if using block cheese instead of pre-shredded varieties.

How to Prep Barefoot Contessa Overnight Mac And Cheese

Overnight Comfort Feast

• Pasta Foundation Kickoff

Boil water with a splash of salt, then toss in pasta. Give it a quick 4-minute bath – you want it slightly undercooked. Drain and set aside, letting it rest.

• Creamy Cheese Dream

Whisk together rich cream, a blend of melty Gruyère and sharp Cheddar. Sprinkle in a whisper of nutmeg, salt, and pepper. This magical mixture will transform your pasta.

• Flavor Infusion

Fold the warm pasta into the dreamy cream concoction. Seal tight with plastic wrap and let it chill in the refrigerator overnight. Magic happens as the pasta soaks up all those incredible flavors.

• Room Temperature Awakening

Pull your mac and cheese out of the fridge, letting it warm up for about an hour. This helps everything meld together perfectly.

• Oven Preparation

Warm up your oven to a toasty 400°F. Butter up a baking dish, creating a smooth canvas for your cheesy masterpiece.

• Cheese Blanket

Spread the pasta mixture evenly in the dish. Top with a luxurious layer of extra cheese, creating a golden, crispy crown.

• Breadcrumb Magic

Sprinkle buttery breadcrumbs over the cheese, creating a crunchy top that’ll make everyone swoon.

• Final Transformation

Bake until the top turns a gorgeous golden brown, around 20-25 minutes. Watch it bubble and become irresistibly delicious.

Tips & Ideas for Barefoot Contessa Overnight Mac And Cheese

• Swap Gruyère and Cheddar with fontina, gouda, or monterey jack for unique flavor profiles that match your taste preferences.
• Mix in crispy bacon bits, diced ham, pulled chicken, or cooked pancetta to transform this mac and cheese into a complete meal.
• Incorporate diced jalapeños, red pepper flakes, or a dash of cayenne pepper to elevate the dish's heat and complexity.
• Fold in roasted broccoli, sautéed mushrooms, or caramelized onions to increase nutritional value and add extra texture.
• Replace regular pasta with gluten-free alternatives and use gluten-free breadcrumbs to make this recipe suitable for sensitive diets.

Plating Suggestions for Barefoot Contessa Overnight Mac And Cheese

• Pair with Fresh Salad: Create a crisp green salad with mixed lettuce, cherry tomatoes, and light vinaigrette to balance the rich, creamy mac and cheese.
• Complement with Roasted Vegetables: Serve alongside roasted seasonal vegetables like broccoli, asparagus, or Brussels sprouts to add nutrition and color to the dish.
• Add Protein Power: Top with crispy bacon bits, grilled chicken chunks, or sautéed shrimp to transform this side dish into a hearty main course.
• Wine and Dine Pairing: Select a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or a light Chardonnay to cut through the cheese's richness and enhance the overall dining experience.

Storing Barefoot Contessa Overnight Mac And Cheese Correctly

• Refrigerate Wisely: Store the mac and cheese in an airtight container for up to 4 days, keeping the creamy texture and cheesy goodness intact.
• Reheat with Care: Warm the dish in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes, adding a splash of milk to restore its original creaminess and prevent drying out.
• Freeze for Later: Pack the unbaked mac and cheese in a freezer-safe dish, covering tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months, thawing overnight in the refrigerator before baking.
• Portion for Convenience: Divide the mac and cheese into individual servings for quick lunches or easy weeknight dinners, making mealtime a breeze.

Dreamy Barefoot Contessa Overnight Mac And Cheese Recipe

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4.8 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s overnight mac and cheese delivers comfort in a creamy, cheesy casserole perfect for make-ahead meals. Rich cheddar and gruyère create a luxurious base that melds flavors while resting overnight, promising delicious results for hungry diners.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 3 cups (240 grams / 8.5 oz) grated Gruyère cheese
• 1 ½ cups (120 grams / 4.2 oz) grated sharp white Cheddar cheese
• 12 ounces (340 grams) cavatappi pasta
• 4 ½ cups (1080 milliliters / 36.5 fl oz) heavy cream
• 2 ½ cups (100 grams) fresh white breadcrumbs
• 3 tbsps (45 milliliters / 1.5 fl oz) unsalted butter, melted
• ½ tsp ground nutmeg
• Kosher salt, to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Pasta Preparation: Cook pasta in salted water for 4 minutes until slightly undercooked, then drain thoroughly without rinsing.
2. Cream Mixture Creation: Whisk heavy cream, Gruyère, Cheddar, nutmeg, salt, and black pepper in a medium bowl until fully integrated.
3. Overnight Infusion: Fold hot pasta into cream mixture, ensuring complete coating. Cover and refrigerate for 24 hours to allow flavor absorption and pasta expansion.
4. Temperature Adjustment: Remove pasta mixture from refrigerator, letting it rest at room temperature for 1 hour or gently warm in microwave for 4 minutes to restore optimal consistency.
5. Baking Setup: Preheat oven to 400°F. Butter a 9 × 13 × 2-inch baking dish and transfer pasta mixture, spreading evenly to ensure uniform cooking.
6. Cheese and Crumb Topping: Sprinkle remaining Gruyère and Cheddar over pasta. Toss breadcrumbs with melted butter and distribute evenly across the cheese layer.
7. Final Baking: Bake for 20-25 minutes, rotating midway to achieve golden, crispy crust. Remove from oven and rest for 5 minutes before serving hot, showcasing creamy interior and crunchy topping.

Notes

• Pasta Pre-Cooking Trick: Slightly undercook pasta to prevent mushiness during overnight absorption, ensuring perfect texture when baked.
• Cheese Melting Magic: Use room temperature cheeses for smoother blending and more even distribution throughout the cream mixture.
• Overnight Infusion Technique: Refrigerating for 24 hours allows pasta to absorb cream, intensifying flavor and creating ultra-creamy consistency.
• Breadcrumb Crisping Secret: Toss breadcrumbs in melted butter before topping to guarantee a golden, crunchy exterior that elevates the dish’s texture.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 660
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 550 mg
• Fat: 42 g
• Saturated Fat: 25 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 54 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg