# Mac N Cheese

A creamy, cheesy mac and cheese recipe perfect for the holiday season.

- Total time: 38 min
- Cuisine: American
- Category: Dinner
- 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 All-purpose flour
- 1 can (12 ounces) Evaporated milk
- 2 cups Heavy cream
- 1 spoonful Dijon mustard
- Green onions

## Instructions

1. Boil some water in a large pot.
2. Salt the boiling water generously.
3. Add 1 pound of cavatappi pasta to the boiling water.
4. Boil the pasta for 8 minutes, stirring every 2 minutes.
5. Shred 1 pound of mozzarella cheese.
6. Shred 1 pound of Colby Jack cheese.
7. Shred 8 ounces of cheddar cheese.
8. Divide all the shredded cheese into two separate bowls.
9. Prepare seasonings: salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika.
10. Melt 3 tablespoons of butter in a pan over medium heat.
11. Add half of the prepared seasonings to the melted butter and cook for about 30 seconds to bloom the seasonings.
12. Add 3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour to the pan.
13. Mix the flour and butter together on medium heat for about 2 minutes, ensuring the flour is fully cooked.
14. Add 1 can (12 ounces) of evaporated milk gradually while whisking to remove lumps.
15. Add 2 cups of heavy cream in increments while whisking.
16. Add the remaining seasonings.
17. Add a good spoonful of Dijon mustard and whisk it in.
18. Turn the heat to low or off to prepare for adding the cheese.
19. Slowly add the first half of the shredded cheese, a handful at a time, whisking until it's all melted before adding more.
20. Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce.
21. Fold the pasta into the cheese sauce using a spatula until well combined.
22. Add half of the mac and cheese to a baking dish.
23. Spread half of the remaining shredded cheese over the first layer of pasta.
24. Add the remaining mac and cheese as the last layer.
25. Top with the remaining shredded cheese.
26. Bake in the oven at 350°F for about 25 to 30 minutes.
27. Broil for a few minutes to get a nice crust on top.
28. Garnish with green onions, chives, or parsley.

## Equipment

- Large pot
- Cutting board
- Knife
- Cheese grater
- Mixing bowls
- Small bowl (for seasonings)
- Spatula
- Whisk
- Measuring cup
- Baking dish
- Oven
- Oven mitts
- Wooden spoon

## Tips

- Shred your own cheese for a nice creamy texture, as pre-shredded cheese can become grainy and not melt properly due to a film on it.
- Bloom seasonings in melted butter for about 30 seconds to enhance their flavor.
- When adding evaporated milk and heavy cream, add them in increments while whisking to avoid a soupy mac and cheese and achieve a creamy texture.
- Ensure the heat is low or off when adding cheese to the sauce to prevent curdling and a grainy or gritty texture.
- If the cheese sauce is too thick, add a splash of milk to thin it out.
- Before baking, taste the mac and cheese to adjust seasonings if needed.
- Broil the mac and cheese for a few minutes after baking to get a nice crust on top.

## Source

- Original video: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8UULnFM/
- Recipe page: https://www.cliprecipe.com/recipe/707f62f3-aeb5-4de0-a6b1-52665714c586
- Extracted: 2025-11-27

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