This truffle mac and cheese is a deliciously indulgent dish that’s just perfect for the holiday table. And while it looks and sounds fancy, it couldn’t be easier to make!

Truffle Mac and Cheese with breadcrumbs on top

Want to Save This Recipe?

Enter your email and I'll send it straight to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!

Truffle mac and cheese is the ultimate holiday comfort food, perfect for those special days when you're ready to treat yourself and your loved ones.

It’s not a low-calorie recipe by any means, but that’s the whole point! The holidays are for treating yourself and sharing something truly comforting and delicious with the people you love.

I’ll have to say this is the most luxurious and rich baked mac and cheese I ever made and the subtle, earthy truffle aroma makes it truly special. And you kitchen will smell amazing, too!

I make it with equal parts provolone and cheddar but you can use your favorite cheese mix here. Gruyere and gouda are some solid choices, too.

Why you’ll love this truffle mac and cheese

The creamy, cheesy sauce with that hint of truffle just makes every bite feel special.
The crunchy breadcrumb topping is the perfect contrast to the smooth, cheesy pasta.
It’s crazy easy to make but feels fancy enough to wow everyone at a holiday dinner.

What does truffle oil taste like?

If you’ve never cooked with white truffle oil before, you may be wondering what to expect in terms of taste.

It’s not that easy to describe its unique flavor, but think earthy, garlicky, and slightly nutty. The oil is made by infusing olive oil with the essence of white truffles and the aroma is quite bold and unforgettable.

What you’ll need

Elbow macaroni — The classic choice for mac and cheese because it holds onto the sauce so well, but you can swap it with any short pasta you love, like shells or cavatappi.

Butter — I like using unsalted butter so I can adjust the salt later.

Plain flour — This thickens the sauce beautifully, just make sure to cook it for a minute or two so there’s no raw flour taste.

Milk — I typically make any mac and cheese with semi-skimmed milk

Half and half (single cream) — This is the secret to a sauce that’s velvety without feeling too heavy, so don’t skip it!

Aromatics — A little garlic powder and fresh thyme go a long way to add subtle flavor without stealing the spotlight from the cheese.

close up photo of a Truffle Mac and Cheese

Cheese — A mix of provolone and white cheddar melts beautifully and tastes amazing—just make sure to grate it yourself for the creamiest sauce.

Truffle oil — Use white truffle oil for that signature flavor, and adjust the amount to your taste.

Breadcrumbs — Toss them with a bit of truffle oil for extra flavor, and go with panko if you love that extra crunchy topping.

Pro tip

Warm up your milk and half-and-half before adding them to the roux—it makes the sauce come together quicker and keeps it super smooth with no lumps!

How to make truffle mac and cheese

This is a quick overview with step-by-step photos. The full recipe with detailed steps is in the recipe card at the end of this post.

Cook the macaroni, drain, and set aside; preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Make a roux by melting butter and whisking in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes.

Gradually whisk in milk and half and half and cook until the sauce thickens.

Truffle Mac and Cheese making instructions

Stir in garlic powder, thyme, salt, pepper, and two-thirds of the cheeses until melted.

Mix in 1 tablespoon of truffle oil and combine the sauce with the macaroni.

adding macaroni to a Truffle Mac and Cheese

Transfer to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish, top with remaining cheese, breadcrumbs, and truffle oil, then bake for 15 minutes until golden and bubbly.

Truffle Mac and Cheese step by step instructions

Recipe tips and notes

Nobody wants mushy mac! Keep the macaroni al dente since it’ll cook more in the oven.
Whisk like you mean it as you add the flour to the butter; it’ll prevent clumps and make the sauce base perfectly silky.
Start with a drizzle of truffle oil, but don’t be shy if you want more. You’re making truffle mac and cheese, so own it!

What to serve with truffle mac and cheese

Truffle mac and cheese is super rich, so it’s great to pair it with something lighter to balance things out.

A crisp green salad with a tangy vinaigrette is always a good idea, or you could go with some roasted veggies like asparagus or broccoli.
If you’re making it part of a bigger meal, something simple like roast chicken or garlic butter shrimp works perfectly.
And honestly, it’s even better with a chilled glass of white wine or sparkling water with a squeeze of lemon!

Leftovers and storage

Pop any leftovers into an airtight container and keep them in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Heat up a portion in the microwave or bake it at 350°F (175°C) until it’s warm and gooey again; add a splash of milk if it looks a little dry.
I don’t recommend freezing this truffle mac and cheese after baking. If you want to make it ahead, you can assemble and freeze for up to two months. Thaw overnight in the fridge then bake as instructed.

More easy baked pasta recipes

If you’ve tried this truffle mac and cheese recipe, please rate it and leave a comment below! I’d love to hear how it turned out.

And for more yummy recipe ideas, follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest!