# Holiday Mac and Cheese

This recipe shows you how to make the best Holiday Mac and Cheese using a variety of cheeses and a no-roux method.

- Total time: 15 min
- Cuisine: American
- Category: Dinner
- Language: en

## Ingredients

- extra sharp cheddar
- smoked gouda
- three pepper Colby Jack
- fresh mozzarella
- bouillon
- cavatappi pasta
- butter
- spices
- heavy cream
- parsley flakes

## Instructions

1. Start by gathering various cheeses: extra sharp cheddar, smoked gouda, three pepper Colby Jack, and fresh mozzarella.
2. Keep the cheese cold to make it easier to grind.
3. Grind all the cheeses.
4. Split the shredded cheese into two halves: one for the sauce and one for layering.
5. Add a heap of bouillon to boiling water.
6. Add the cavatappi pasta to the boiling water.
7. Cook the pasta fully, even past al dente.
8. Butter down a hot pan with olive oil.
9. Once the butter melts, add spices and toast them down.
10. When the mixture becomes foamy, trickle in heavy cream.
11. Bring the cream mixture to a slight bubble.
12. Lower the heat completely and start trickling in the half of the shredded cheese saved for the sauce.
13. Once the cheese sauce is ready, add the cooked pasta to it.
14. Pour the first layer of mac and cheese into a baking dish.
15. Add a layer of the remaining shredded cheese.
16. Add the last layer of mac and cheese.
17. Finally, add one last layer of cheese on top.
18. Bake in the oven for 15 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
19. Garnish with parsley flakes after baking.

## Equipment

- cheese grinder
- pot
- pan
- baking dish

## Tips

- Keep your cheese cold for easier grinding.
- Do not use pre-shredded cheese as it will ruin the consistency.
- Fully cook the pasta, even past al dente.
- No need to make a roux for the cheese sauce.

## Source

- Original video: https://youtube.com/shorts/LIatHxznlRQ?si=Nh32tzSfcC12uFKS
- Recipe page: https://www.cliprecipe.com/recipe/5011e9cd-5137-43c6-9c6d-cc74f1890bf8
- Extracted: 2025-11-28

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