# Mac N Cheese

A creamy Mac N Cheese recipe for the holiday season that is not soupy or gritty.

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

## Ingredients

- 1 pound calabrese pasta
- 1 pound mozzarella
- 1 pound Colby Jack
- 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.
2. Salt the 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, 1 pound of Colby Jack, and 8 ounces of cheddar cheese.
6. Divide the shredded cheese in half.
7. Combine salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika in a small bowl for seasonings.
8. Melt 3 tablespoons of butter in a pot over medium heat.
9. Add half of the seasoning mixture to the melted butter and cook for about 30 seconds to bloom the seasonings.
10. Add 3 tablespoons of flour to the pot and mix until combined, cooking for about 2 minutes to cook out the flour.
11. Switch to a whisk and add one 12-ounce can of evaporated milk incrementally, whisking constantly to remove lumps.
12. Add 2 cups of heavy cream incrementally, whisking continuously.
13. Add the remaining seasonings and a spoonful of Dijon mustard to the sauce, whisking until combined.
14. Turn the heat to low or off before adding the cheese.
15. Slowly add the first half of the shredded cheese, one handful at a time, whisking until it's all melted.
16. Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and fold it in with a spatula.
17. Layer half of the mac and cheese into a baking dish.
18. Sprinkle half of the remaining shredded cheese over the first layer of mac and cheese.
19. Add the last layer of mac and cheese.
20. Top with the remaining shredded cheese.
21. Bake in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 25 to 30 minutes.
22. Broil for a few minutes to get a nice crust on top.
23. Perform a crust test by tapping the top of the mac and cheese with a knife.
24. Garnish with green onions.

## Equipment

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

## Tips

- Shred your own cheese as pre-shredded cheese has a film that makes it grainy and not melt properly, leading to a gritty texture.
- Bloom seasonings in melted butter to enhance their flavor.
- Add evaporated milk in increments to avoid a soupy mac and cheese.
- Use evaporated milk, not condensed milk, for creaminess.
- Turn off or lower the heat before adding cheese to prevent curdling and a gritty texture.
- Add cheese slowly, one handful at a time, whisking until each addition is melted before adding more.
- If the cheese sauce is too thick, add a splash of milk to thin it out.
- Dijon mustard pairs well with cheddar cheese and enhances its flavor.
- Before baking, taste the mac and cheese to adjust seasonings as needed.

## Source

- Original video: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8UkMoAr/
- Recipe page: https://www.cliprecipe.com/recipe/bcba398c-d182-4857-a3d4-ec66015337de
- Extracted: 2025-11-25

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