# Mac N cheese

This creamy Mac N cheese recipe is perfect for the holiday season.

- Total time: 37 min
- Cuisine: Italian
- Category: Lunch
- Language: en

## Ingredients

- 1 pound cavatappi pasta
- 1 pound mozzarella cheese
- 1 pound Colby Jack cheese
- 8 ounces cheddar cheese
- salt
- pepper
- garlic powder
- smoked paprika
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 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 cheese, 1 pound of Colby Jack cheese, and 8 ounces of cheddar cheese.
5. Divide the shredded cheese into two equal portions.
6. Mix salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika together for seasoning. Start with a teaspoon if unsure, then taste and adjust.
7. Melt 3 tablespoons of butter in a pan over medium heat.
8. Add half of the seasoning mix to the melted butter and cook for about 30 seconds to bloom the seasonings.
9. Add 3 tablespoons of flour to the pan and mix until combined, cooking for about 2 minutes to cook out the flour.
10. Gradually add one 12-ounce can of evaporated milk, whisking constantly to prevent lumps.
11. Gradually add 2 cups of heavy cream, whisking constantly until fully incorporated.
12. Add the remaining seasoning mix and a spoonful of Dijon mustard to the sauce, then whisk well.
13. Turn the heat to low or off.
14. Slowly add half of the shredded cheese to the sauce, a handful at a time, whisking until fully melted before adding more.
15. Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and fold it in with a spatula until fully coated.
16. Transfer half of the pasta mixture to a baking dish.
17. Layer with half of the remaining shredded cheese.
18. Add the last layer of pasta.
19. Top with the remaining shredded cheese.
20. Bake in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 25 to 30 minutes, then broil for a few minutes to get a nice crust.
21. Perform a crust test by tapping the crust with a knife to hear a crisp sound.
22. Garnish with green onions, chives, or parsley.

## Equipment

- pot
- cutting board
- knife
- cheese grater
- bowls
- pan
- spatula
- whisk
- baking dish
- oven mitts

## Tips

- Always shred your own cheese for a creamy texture, as pre-shredded cheese can become grainy.
- When adding evaporated milk and heavy cream, do it in increments and whisk thoroughly to avoid a soupy mac and cheese.
- To prevent cheese from curdling, add it to the sauce when the heat is low or off.
- If the cheese sauce is too thick, add a splash of milk to thin it out.
- For a nice crust on top, broil the mac and cheese for a few minutes after baking.

## Source

- Original video: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8DcKcWs/
- Recipe page: https://www.cliprecipe.com/recipe/5d011596-cadf-4808-97dc-c2f8a32da840
- Extracted: 2025-11-16

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