# Mac and Cheese

A delicious mac and cheese recipe perfect for the holiday season.

- Total time: 37 min
- Cuisine: American
- Category: Dinner
- Language: en

## Ingredients

- 1 pound Mozzarella cheese
- 1 pound Colby Jack cheese
- 8 ounces Sharp cheddar cheese
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic powder
- Paprika
- 3 tablespoons Butter
- 3 tablespoons Flour
- 12 ounces Evaporated milk
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 cups Heavy cream
- 1 pound Cavatappi pasta

## Instructions

1. Start by boiling some water in a pot.
2. Salt the water like the ocean.
3. Add 1 pound of cavatappi pasta to the boiling water.
4. If making mac and cheese right away, boil the pasta for 8 minutes.
5. If making mac and cheese the night before, boil the pasta for 7 minutes.
6. Grate 1 pound of mozzarella, 1 pound of Colby Jack, and 8 ounces of sharp cheddar cheese.
7. Divide the shredded cheese into two equal portions, one for the cheese sauce and one for layering.
8. Prepare the seasonings in a container by adding salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
9. Melt 3 tablespoons of butter in a pan on medium heat.
10. Once the butter is melted, add half of the prepared seasonings to bloom them for 30 seconds.
11. Add 3 tablespoons of flour to the pan to create a roux, mixing it for 2-3 minutes.
12. Switch to a whisk and add a quarter of a 12-ounce can of evaporated milk, whisking to remove any clumps.
13. Continue adding the remaining evaporated milk gradually, mixing well after each addition until smooth.
14. Mix the béchamel sauce for about a minute before adding anything else.
15. Add about 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard to the sauce and mix it in.
16. Slowly add 2 cups of heavy cream to the sauce, a little at a time, while continuously whisking on medium heat.
17. After adding all the heavy cream, let it cook for about 2 minutes.
18. Reduce the heat to low before adding the cheese to prevent curdling.
19. Add half of the shredded cheese to the sauce slowly while mixing until it's completely melted.
20. Add the remaining half of the seasonings and more cheese, mixing until all the cheese is melted.
21. Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and fold it in until fully coated.
22. Taste the mac and cheese to adjust seasonings if desired.
23. Transfer half of the mac and cheese into a baking dish.
24. Layer with a portion of the reserved shredded cheese.
25. Add the remaining mac and cheese on top.
26. Top with the rest of the shredded cheese.
27. Bake in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 25-30 minutes until the cheese on top is melted.
28. Broil for 2 minutes for a golden-brown top.
29. Serve and enjoy!

## Equipment

- Pot
- Wooden spoon
- Grater
- Whisk
- Baking dish

## Tips

- Always shred your own cheese; pre-shredded cheese contains a film that can make mac and cheese grainy.
- Cook the roux for 2-3 minutes to prevent grainy mac and cheese.
- Add cheese to the sauce on low heat to prevent curdling.

## Source

- Original video: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMSnJranx/
- Recipe page: https://www.cliprecipe.com/recipe/35da825d-ee90-4f19-a5ac-a9295e0f2f71
- Extracted: 2025-07-19

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