Truffle Mac and Cheese

This truffle mac and cheese pairs a rich white cheddar with just the right hint of truffle oil. It’s an indulgent dish that makes a splash!

Here’s a decadent dish that will win hearts and minds: Truffle Mac and Cheese! This cozy pan mixes a rich, creamy white cheddar sauce with just the right hint of earthy truffle oil. The truffle adds an irresistible nuance (not overpowering as some truffle dishes can be!). This recipe is ideal for a dinner party where you’re looking to impress. For us black truffle lovers, we couldn’t get enough of it!

Ingredients in truffle mac and cheese

This truffle mac and cheese has massive flavor with a relatively short ingredient list! The heavy hitters are the sharp cheddar cheese, which brings in salty, robust flavor, and the truffle oil that adds an earthy flair. Here’s what you’ll need:

Pasta: Any short shape works! You can branch out of the typical macaroni: we like shells, fusilli, penne, etc
Butter
Flour
Milk
Onion powder and garlic powder
White cheddar cheese
Natural truffle oil
Panko or bread crumbs (optional)

Important: find natural truffle oil

Many chefs have turned up their noses at truffle oil in recent years, because many available to consumers are synthetic. They mimic flavors found in real truffles and are often extremely strong. But good news: there are finally some all natural truffle oils on the market!

Many truffle oils in grocery stores are synthetic. Look on the back of the bottle at the ingredient list. If real black truffles are not listed, it is not natural truffle oil.
Natural truffle oil is made with pieces of actual truffles and is not synthetic. The flavor is much gentler and tastes “real.”
What if all you can find is synthetic truffle oil? We don’t recommend using it. But if you must, use half (or less!) than the amount of natural oil specified in this recipe.

Another way to add truffle flavor

Another way to add truffle flavor to this truffle mac and cheese? Canned truffles and mushrooms. Alex and I found a product in our grocery store made by the brand Urbani: it’s a small can of mushrooms that are flavored with real truffles. The flavor is intense and irresistible.

We use this when we want to add big flavor and have pieces of actual mushrooms! It’s great in this mac and cheese or on a pizza. Try these Canned Truffles & Mushrooms.

Tips for making a roux

The technique you need for homemade truffle mac and cheese is making a roux. A “roux” (pronounced “Roo“) is flour and butter cooked together and used to thicken sauces. It’s usually made from equal parts of flour and butter. This is what makes the gooey sauce: cheese by its would be too sticky. Here are a few tips for making a roux:

Measure out your ingredients in advance (mise en place). The cooking process goes fast, so you don’t want to be distracted by measuring. The French call it mise en place, which means “everything in its place.”
Don’t leave the stove, and watch closely. The flour and butter can burn easily! Stand by the stove and start adding milk right when the flour turns golden brown.
Add the milk gradually. Pour in the milk and constantly whisk, adding it little by little, until it forms a smooth sauce. Add the spices and cook about 4 minutes until the sauce is thickened. Add the cheese and you’re go to go!

Tip: how to reheat truffle mac and cheese!

Lastly: let’s talk about storing this truffle mac and cheese recipe! You can refrigerate leftovers, but know this: the truffle flavor does fade over time. If you’re planning to reheat it, here’s what to do:

Place it in a skillet and add a splash of milk. Use a ratio of about 1 cup noodles to 1 tablespoon milk.
Heat over medium heat and stir until the sauce becomes creamy again!
Add a few drops of truffle oil and a pinch of salt to revive the flavors. Taste and adjust flavors as desired.

More mac and cheese recipes

Love a great mac and cheese? Us too. Here are our top mac and cheese recipes to try at home:

Try classic Homemade Mac and Cheese
Go for Best Gouda Mac and Cheese or White Cheddar Mac and Cheese
Add pesto for Pesto Mac and Cheese
Add squash for Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
Whip out the pressure cooker for Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
Go healthy with Greek Yogurt Mac and Cheese

This truffle mac and cheese recipe is…

Vegetarian. For gluten-free, use gluten-free noodles.