# Mac and Cheese

This recipe shows how to make a creamy, cheesy, and delicious mac and cheese, perfect for the holidays.

- Total time: 30 min
- Cuisine: American
- Category: Dinner
- Language: en

## Ingredients

- 1 water
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 pound cavalatappi pasta
- 1 pound mozzarella cheese
- 1 pound colby jack cheese
- 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 tablespoon seasoning
- 1 tablespoon pepper
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 12 ounces evaporated milk
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 chopped chives

## Instructions

1. Boil salted water and add 1 pound of cavatappi pasta. Boil for 8 minutes if making immediately, or 7 minutes if making ahead of time.
2. Shred 1 pound of mozzarella, 1 pound of Colby jack, and 8 ounces of sharp cheddar cheese.  Do not use pre-shredded cheese from the store.
3. Mix salt, pepper, garlic powder and paprika in a container.
4. Melt 3 tablespoons of butter in a pan on medium heat.
5. Add half of the seasoning mix to the melted butter and cook for 30 seconds.
6. Add 3 tablespoons of flour and cook for 2-3 minutes.
7. Slowly whisk in a quarter of the can of evaporated milk (12 ounces).
8. Continue whisking in the remaining evaporated milk and add 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard (optional). Mix for about one minute.
9. Slowly add 2 cups of heavy cream, a little at a time, while whisking and keeping on medium heat.
10. Reduce heat to low and add half of the shredded cheese, mixing until melted.
11. Add the remaining cheese and seasoning, mixing until fully melted.
12. Add the cooked pasta and fold it into the cheese sauce.
13. Transfer half the mac and cheese to a baking dish, top with half of the remaining cheese, and repeat layers.
14. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes, until the top cheese is melted. Broil for 2 minutes.

## Equipment

- pot
- wooden spoon
- cheese grater
- mixing bowls
- plastic container
- whisk
- pan
- spatula
- baking dish
- oven

## Source

- Original video: https://www.tiktok.com/@tinekeyounger/video/7432820403464146219?_r=1&_t=ZM-8u73n9aiYWz
- Recipe page: https://www.cliprecipe.com/recipe/b3643689-1034-4f63-b739-9c38cc018bb5
- Extracted: 2025-02-21

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