# Mac and Cheese

A creamy and cheesy mac and cheese recipe perfect for the holiday season, featuring cavatappi pasta and a blend of mozzarella, Colby Jack, and sharp cheddar cheeses.

- Total time: 45 min
- Cuisine: American
- Category: Dinner
- Language: en

## Ingredients

- 1 lb Cavatappi pasta
- 1 lb Mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 lb Colby Jack cheese, shredded
- 8 oz Sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Black pepper
- 1 tablespoon Garlic powder
- Paprika
- 3 tablespoons Butter
- 3 tablespoons All-purpose flour
- 1 can Evaporated milk
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 cups Heavy cream

## Instructions

1. Start by boiling some water and salting it generously.
2. Add 1 lb of cavatappi pasta to the boiling water and cook for 8 minutes if serving immediately, or 7 minutes if preparing the night before.
3. Shred 1 lb of mozzarella, 1 lb of Colby Jack, and 8 oz of sharp cheddar cheese. Divide the shredded cheese into two portions.
4. In a pan on medium heat, melt 3 tablespoons of butter.
5. Add half of the seasonings (salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika) to the melted butter and cook for about 30 seconds to bloom them.
6. Add 3 tablespoons of flour to the pan to create a roux and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring constantly.
7. Switch to a whisk and gradually add 1 can (12 oz) of evaporated milk, about a quarter of the can at a time, whisking to remove flour clumps until smooth.
8. Mix for about a minute after adding the last bit of evaporated milk.
9. Add about 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard and mix it in.
10. Slowly add 2 cups of heavy cream, a little at a time, and let it cook for about 2 minutes.
11. Reduce the heat to low before adding the cheese to prevent it from curdling.
12. Slowly add half of the shredded cheese, mixing continuously until it's completely melted before adding more.
13. Add the remaining half of the seasonings and the rest of the cheese, mixing until all the cheese is melted and incorporated.
14. Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and fold it in.
15. Taste the mac and cheese and adjust seasonings as needed.
16. Transfer half of the mac and cheese to a baking dish.
17. Layer with some of the remaining shredded cheese.
18. Add the rest of the mac and cheese to the baking dish.
19. Top with the remaining shredded cheese.
20. Bake in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the cheese on top is melted.
21. Broil for about 2 minutes to get a golden-brown top.

## Equipment

- Whisk
- Baking dish
- Pan

## Tips

- Shred your own cheese to avoid a grainy mac and cheese.
- Bloom seasonings in melted butter for enhanced flavor.
- Cook the roux for 2-3 minutes to prevent a grainy texture.
- Add evaporated milk gradually to the roux to avoid flour clumps.
- Add cheese to the sauce on low heat to prevent curdling.
- Taste the mac and cheese before baking to adjust seasonings.
- Broil at the end for 2 minutes to get a nice melted cheese top.

## Source

- Original video: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZNRkM218P/
- Recipe page: https://www.cliprecipe.com/recipe/3e46ec40-bdbd-4a14-a883-c263799e6f86
- Extracted: 2026-01-15

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