food

Exactly how to make the most-Googled pasta recipe in Australia.

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Guys, wake up! Today, Saturday October 25, is World Pasta Day!

Other than taking yourself out for a big bowl of the good stuff, let's take a look at the most-Googled pasta recipes in Australia right now, and how to make the unexpected one that clinched top spot.

Top 10 most-Googled pasta recipes.

Truthfully, the following monthly Google search data on pasta recipes Aussies are looking for shocked me.

Aside from some trusty favourites, the list includes a number of lesser-known or regional pasta recipes.

These are the cold, hard stats.

10. Macaroni salad (huh??)

9. Penne alla vodka

8. Baked ziti

7. Pasta alla Norma

6. Spätzle - this is a German pasta dish FYI

5. Pastitsio

4. Fettuccine alfredo

3. Spaghetti with meatballs

2. Cacio e pepe

Now, for number one…

It's macaroni and cheese, coming in with over 18,000 unique monthly searches per month.

OK cool, so you want to make mac and cheese from scratch?

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Italian Street Kitchen's Executive chefs, brothers Guilio and Enrico Marchese, have shared their Nonna-approved mac and cheese recipe.

Chef Giulio Marchese says this version of macaroni cheese is "pure magic on a plate" and only takes a few simple ingredients.

"Traditionally, mac and cheese is made with cheddar in a béchamel base and a simple breadcrumb topping, but at Italian Street Kitchen, we switch to Italian cheeses."

"Provolone, Fontina and Parmesan, and add vermouth instead of cream for balance, and finish with a smoky pancetta and rosemary crust."

Recipe: 'Nonna-approved' Macaroni and Cheese.

Chefs Guilio and Enrico Marchese. Image: Supplied.

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Mac and cheese ingredients:

  • Maccheroni or rigatoni

  • Butter

  • Flour

  • Milk

  • Provolone piccante, frontina and parmesan

  • Nutmeg

  • Pancetta

  • Rosemary

  • Fresh breadcrumbs

  • Olive oil

  • Dry vermouth (instead of white wine) - "This is an Italian chef's secret weapon to enhance the richness of the sauce, without adding acidity. Always let the vermouth cook for a minute to mellow the alcohol."

How to make this 'elevated' mac and cheese:

Step 1. Preheat the oven to 190°C, and cook the pasta in salted water until just shy of al dente.

Step 2. In a saucepan, melt butter, whisk in flour and cook briefly to form a smooth roux. 

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Step 3. Slowly pour in the milk, followed by the vermouth, whisking until thickened and glossy.

Step 4. Remove from the heat and fold through the cheeses and nutmeg until melted and velvety.

Step 5. For the crust, fry pancetta until crisp, then stir through breadcrumbs, rosemary and olive oil. 

Pro-tip: Double-toast the pancetta crumb.

"For a next-level crust, render the pancetta first, remove it, then toast the breadcrumbs in the same fat with olive oil and rosemary. Once golden, fold the pancetta back in. The result is a crunchy, aromatic topping that stays crisp even after baking."

Step 6. Toss the pasta through the cheese sauce, spoon into an oven dish and scatter the pancetta crust evenly over the top. 

Step 7. Bake until bubbling, golden and fragrant. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving to allow the sauce to settle.

Want to learn more easy recipes? Read these next:

Feature image: Getty.

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