# Mac and Cheese

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

- Total time: 35 min
- Cuisine: American
- Category: Dinner
- Language: en

## Ingredients

- 1 pound Mozzarella cheese
- 1 pound Colby Jack cheese
- 8 ounces Sharp Cheddar cheese
- 1 pound Cavatappi pasta
- Salt
- Pepper
- 1 tablespoon Garlic powder
- Smoked paprika
- 3 tablespoons Butter
- 3 tablespoons All-purpose flour
- 12 ounces Evaporated milk
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 cups Heavy cream

## Instructions

1. Bring salted water to a boil, seasoned "like the ocean".
2. Add 1 pound of cavatappi pasta to the boiling water.
3. Boil the pasta for 8 minutes if making mac and cheese right away, or 7 minutes if preparing it the night before.
4. Shred 1 pound of mozzarella, 1 pound of Colby Jack, and 8 ounces of sharp cheddar cheese.
5. Divide the shredded cheese into two portions.
6. Prepare seasonings in a container including salt, pepper, garlic powder (about 1 tablespoon), and smoked paprika.
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, blooming the seasonings.
9. Add 3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour to the pan and cook the roux for 2-3 minutes, mixing well.
10. Switch to a whisk and gradually add 12 ounces of evaporated milk, a quarter of the can at a time, whisking to remove any clumps.
11. Mix the béchamel for about a minute.
12. Add about 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard and mix it in.
13. Slowly add 2 cups of heavy cream to the mixture, a little at a time, while continuously whisking on medium heat.
14. Cook the sauce for about 2 minutes after adding the last of the heavy cream.
15. Lower the heat to low and gradually add half of the shredded cheese, mixing until completely melted before adding more.
16. Add the rest of the seasoning mix to the cheese sauce.
17. Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and fold it in until well combined.
18. Taste the mac and cheese to adjust seasonings if desired.
19. Transfer half of the mac and cheese to a baking dish.
20. Layer with a portion of the remaining shredded cheese.
21. Add the rest of the mac and cheese.
22. Top with the remaining shredded cheese.
23. Bake in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese on top is melted.
24. Broil for an additional 2 minutes to achieve a golden crust.
25. Serve and enjoy!

## Equipment

- Large pot
- Grater
- Whisk
- Baking dish
- Oven mitts

## Tips

- Always shred your own cheese; pre-shredded cheese contains starches that can make your mac and cheese grainy.
- Boil pasta for 8 minutes if making mac and cheese right away, or 7 minutes if making it the night before to prevent overcooking as the pasta absorbs cheese sauce.
- Bloom the seasonings in melted butter for 30 seconds to enhance flavor.
- Cook the roux for 2-3 minutes to prevent a grainy texture in your mac and cheese.
- When adding cheese to the sauce, keep the heat on low and add it slowly, mixing constantly to prevent curdling.

## Source

- Original video: https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSUR7CjmQ/
- Recipe page: https://www.cliprecipe.com/recipe/930618cb-de5e-4f42-9ad9-1ad3f78c5cf2
- Extracted: 2025-10-05

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