A saucy cheesy mac and cheese with a twist! This silky cheese sauce has my favourite ingredient nduja mixed in for the ultimate flavour bomb. Macaroni cheese is a classic but this really is the best version for me, it's a whole other level of cheesy goodness. This mac and cheese is made even more delicious with herby brown butter panko crumbs.

The best mac and cheese ever!
Hello! I am SO excited to write up this recipe for my best mac and cheese ever! I have an nduja mac and cheese recipe that I often post about on instagram. One time when I posted it someone commented saying I shouldn't call it mac and cheese as it isn't made with macaroni. I usually ignore comments like this but this one gave me the idea to turn this sauce into a baked mac and cheese! So here we are!
What is nduja?
Nduja is a spreadable sausage paste from Italy. It is red in colour and either comes in a jar or vacuum packed in a bag. The flavour is hard to describe, you have to trust me on this one. It is super savoury and has a kick of chilli but not overly spicy if used sparingly. I love to use it in pasta sauces as it adds such a unique and delicious flavour note. It really is an amazing secret weapon to have in your fridge. Pop a spoonful into a tomato sauce, throw some into some stir fried or roasted veges, the possibilities are endless! Most specialty supermarkets should have nduja, just google it in your area. If you really can't find it you could blend some chorizo. I always think if I can find something here in New Zealand you must be able to find it anywhere!

Tips for this nduja mac and cheese
- Browning the butter for the panko crumbs - why not make the crumbs a little bit extra? I start with 70g of unsalted butter because some of it will evaporate in the browning process. Add 50g of the finished butter to the panko crumbs. Brown the butter until the milk solids are brown NOT black.
- Mixing butter with the cooked pasta - this was a trick I learned from Recipe Tin Eats! It stops the pasta bloating up and overcooking in the sauce. Genius!
- A mix of cheese - I like to use three different cheeses. I use a basic cheddar, mozzarella and parmesan. I do really suggest using all three. DON'T buy the pre grated cheese it's full of horrible additives!
- Nduja - if this is a new flavour to you or you aren't a huge chilli fan then just add 2 tbsp to start and taste it to see. I add 3 and you could even do 4 if you like! You be the judge.
- Baking the mac and cheese - don't over bake it! If you know me at all you know I am ALL about the sauciness and baking it too long will soak it all up. Just bake until the panko are lightly golden, it shouldn't need more than 25 minutes.
Making the perfect roux
- Melt the butter over medium heat, you don't want it too hot as then the butter will burn.
- Add the flour and quickly whisk it, you want to cook it for a minute to cook off the raw flour.
- Lower the heat slightly before you add the milk. Add it in a steady slow stream, having breaks if you need to whisk. You need to get into the sides of the pan really thoroughly to get all the flour mixture hiding there. This is key to getting a smooth sauce.
- Let the milk mixture cook until it thickens and it coats the back of a wooden spoon. Run your finger along the spoon and it should leave a clear trail.
- You don't want it boiling it should be a really gentle simmer.
- Add the cheese in a few lots on a low heat, whisking and letting it melt in between. For a baked mac and cheese you don't need to be too stressed about it being perfectly smooth.
- Add the nduja and whisk it in really well.

Want to make ahead?
Easy! If you have people coming over and want to get ahead this can be assembled right up until the point you put it in the oven then cover and pop it in the fridge! Bring it out of the fridge 20 mins or so before cooking in the oven. In terms of storing left overs you can keep it in the fridge for 2 - 3 days but honestly, if you don't eat this whole thing in one go I'm judging you a little bit!
Made this recipe and loved it?
I would love love LOVE if you could leave me a review down below and let me know what you thought! I love to hear any changes or adaptions you have made too. Also if you put a photo on instagram, please tag me so I can see, it makes my day!

Want some other recipes to try?
If you love nduja I have a fast and delicious creamy nduja sauce you have to try! Or you could try my original nduja mac and cheese that inspired this recipe. If you want something completely different my favourite two recipes are my white pork ragu and my cacio e pepe with olives and basil.
PrintThe best mac and cheese ever!
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 4 people
Description
The cheesiest most delicious nduja mac and cheese you will ever eat. Topped with brown butter herby panko crumbs. A must try!
Ingredients
For the panko crumbs
75g panko crumbs
70g unsalted butter, cubed
1 tbsp thyme leaves, chopped
For the pasta
280g macaroni
1 tbsp butter
For the sauce
60g unsalted butter
45g plain flour
625ml milk (full fat please!)
270g cheese, I used 90g mozzarella, 140g cheddar, 40g parmesan
3 - 4 tbsp nduja (taste the sauce and add more if you like!)
Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 180c (350f)
For the panko crumbs
- Melt the butter over medium heat for 3 - 4 minutes, swirling the pan until it browns then take off the heat and mix into the panko crumbs straight away. It's hard to tell how much butter will evaporate for you so I used 50g of the melted brown butter with the crumbs.
- Add the thyme leaves in and then set the crumbs aside.
For the pasta
- Cook the macaroni according to the instructions but undercook it by a minute.
- Drain and mix with the tablespoon of butter and set aside.
For the sauce
- Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat until it starts to sizzle.
- Add the flour and whisk vigorously for a minute.
- Lower the heat slightly and add the milk in a slow stream, whisking the whole time making sure you get all the flour mixture from the sides of the pan.
- Cook for a few minutes until it thickens slightly and coats the back of a wooden spoon.
- Add the cheese in 3 or 4 lots, whisking and letting it melt in between each addition.
- Add the nduja and whisk to combine.
- Taste! You can add more nduja if you wish and also season with salt and pepper. It might not need any salt but I like to add a few cracks of black pepper here.
Baking the mac and cheese
- Mix the pasta into the sauce and pour into a baking dish. I used a 9 x 9 inch metal pan
- Sprinkle the panko crumbs in an even layer over top and bake in the oven for 25 minutes until bubbly and slightly golden on top. Don't bake it for longer as the sauce can get too soaked up.
- Let it sit for a few minutes before serving then dig in!
Notes
- As mentioned with the brown butter, all butter browns differently so I have started with 70g knowing it will be less than that after browning. Make sure you weigh out 50g to mix with the crumbs (or more if you like lots of butter!)
- I really like using a mix of the cheeses as I feel like they all bring something different to the party! You could definitely just use all cheddar to make it easy though.
- Mixing the tablespoon of butter with the pasta after cooking is a tip I learned from Recipe Tin Eats, it stops the pasta overcooking.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 40 mins
May-Lee says
Lush and delicious! The bechamel is so silky, say good bye to stodgy mac and cheese. Experiment with different brands of nduja which vary a fair bit in flavour/fat. I'm a fan of Farro's if you can get to one.
★★★★★
Emilie Pullar says
So glad you enjoyed!! It's such an easy go to for me now!
Kandace says
This was so good and I think it will become the go-to mac and cheese in my house! Thank you for the recipe!
★★★★★
Abby says
I cooked this at 375 F but what temp do you recommend? Very possibly I'm dumb but I didn't see a temp in the recipe
★★★★
Emilie Pullar says
Hi Abby, thank you so much for the comment I didn't actually put the temp in! I do 350f but 375f is also totally fine! π
Diem Phan says
Where can one buy the nduja ?
Emilie Pullar says
Hi! Best to google it in your area as I am in NZ sorry! I find it easily at a specialty food store π
Zosia Waite says
Made this tonight and loved it! A perfect twist on a Mac and cheese! ?
★★★★★
Emilie Pullar says
Thanks so much for making it Zosia!! π