# Mac N Cheese

A creamy, cheesy macaroni and cheese recipe perfect for the holiday season, emphasizing a smooth texture over a soupy one.

- Total time: 30 min
- Cuisine: Italian
- Category: Lunch
- Language: en

## Ingredients

- 1 pound cavatappi pasta
- 1 pound Mozzarella
- 1 pound Colby Jack
- 8 ounces cheddar cheese
- salt
- pepper
- garlic powder
- smoked paprika
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 1 can (12 ounces) evaporated milk
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 spoonful Dijon mustard
- green onions

## Instructions

1. Boil some water and salt it like the ocean.
2. Add 1 pound of cavatappi pasta to the boiling water.
3. Boil the pasta for 8 minutes, stirring every 2 minutes.
4. Shred 1 pound of mozzarella, 1 pound of Colby Jack, and 8 ounces of cheddar cheese.
5. Divide the shredded cheese in half.
6. Combine salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika for seasonings.
7. Melt 3 tablespoons of butter in a pot over medium heat.
8. Add half of the seasonings to the melted butter and cook for about 30 seconds to bloom them.
9. Add 3 tablespoons of flour to the seasoned butter and mix until combined, cooking for about 2 minutes.
10. Gradually add one 12-ounce can of evaporated milk to the roux, whisking constantly to remove lumps.
11. Gradually add 2 cups of heavy cream to the mixture, whisking continuously.
12. Add the remaining seasonings and a spoonful of Dijon mustard to the sauce.
13. Turn the heat to low or off before adding the cheese.
14. Slowly add the first half of the shredded cheese, a handful at a time, whisking until fully melted before adding more.
15. Add the last bit of the cheese to the sauce and whisk it in.
16. Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and fold it in with a spatula.
17. Pour half of the mac and cheese into a baking dish.
18. Sprinkle half of the remaining shredded cheese over the first layer of pasta.
19. Add the last layer of mac and cheese.
20. Top with the remaining shredded cheese.
21. Bake in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 25-30 minutes.
22. Broil for a few minutes to get a nice crust on top.
23. Garnish with green onions, chives, or parsley.

## Equipment

- pot
- grater
- mixing bowls
- whisk
- spatula
- baking dish
- oven mitts

## Tips

- Shred your own cheese as pre-shredded cheese has a film that makes it grainy and prevents it from melting smoothly.
- Cook the flour thoroughly in the roux to avoid a grainy cheese sauce.
- Add evaporated milk and heavy cream gradually to the roux, whisking constantly, to prevent a soupy mac and cheese and ensure creaminess.
- Turn off or lower the heat before adding cheese to prevent curdling and separation.
- Dijon mustard enhances the flavor of cheddar cheese.

## Source

- Original video: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTrFSPXaS/
- Recipe page: https://www.cliprecipe.com/recipe/261880e4-4309-4565-a669-23e45cdc2c0b
- Extracted: 2025-11-26

Extracted from the video by Clip Recipe (https://www.cliprecipe.com). Quantities and steps are as stated or shown in the video. Site guide for agents: https://www.cliprecipe.com/llms.txt