# Mac and Cheese

This video shows you how to make mac and cheese for the holiday season, a creamy and cheesy dish that is sure to please.

- 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 macaroni
- salt
- pepper
- garlic powder
- paprika
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 12 ounces evaporated milk
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 cups heavy cream

## 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 if making mac and cheese right away, or 7 minutes if making it the night before to avoid overcooking as it will absorb the cheese sauce.
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: one for the cheese sauce and one for layering in the mac and cheese.
6. Prepare the seasonings by combining salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika in a container.
7. In a pan on medium heat, melt 3 tablespoons of butter.
8. Add half of the seasoning mixture to the melted butter and let it cook for about 30 seconds, a process called blooming the seasonings.
9. Add 3 tablespoons of flour to the pan and mix it well, cooking the roux for 2-3 minutes to ensure a smooth mac and cheese.
10. Switch to a whisk and add a quarter of a 12-ounce can of evaporated milk, whisking to remove any flour lumps, creating a béchamel.
11. Continue adding the remaining evaporated milk gradually, whisking constantly.
12. Whisk the béchamel for about 1 minute before adding anything else.
13. Add about 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard and mix it in.
14. Slowly add 2 cups of heavy cream, a little at a time, while whisking on medium heat.
15. Let the sauce cook for about 2 minutes after adding the last of the heavy cream.
16. Reduce the heat to low.
17. Slowly add half of the shredded cheese, mixing it in at the same time and ensuring it's all melted before adding more.
18. Add the remaining half of the shredded cheese and the rest of the seasoning mixture, mixing until all the cheese is melted.
19. Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and fold it in until thoroughly combined.
20. Taste a noodle and adjust seasonings if desired.
21. Take a baking dish and put half of the mac and cheese in it.
22. Layer with some of the remaining shredded cheese.
23. Add the rest of the mac and cheese.
24. Top with the remaining shredded cheese.
25. Bake in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 25-30 minutes until the cheese on top is melted.
26. Broil for 2 minutes for a crispy top.
27. Serve and enjoy!

## Equipment

- pot
- grater
- bowl
- whisk
- pan
- baking dish
- spatula
- oven mitts

## Tips

- Always shred your own cheese; pre-shredded cheese contains a film (like cornstarch or potato starch) that can make your mac and cheese grainy.
- Bloom the seasonings in melted butter for about 30 seconds to enhance their flavor.
- Cook the roux (flour and fat mixture) for 2-3 minutes to prevent a grainy texture in your mac and cheese.
- When adding cheese, ensure the heat is on low to prevent the cheese from curdling.
- Gradually add cheese to the sauce, allowing each addition to melt completely before adding more.

## Source

- Original video: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTr6AeeUh/
- Recipe page: https://www.cliprecipe.com/recipe/de7092a4-968d-4f4e-8799-3432a3dcf8e0
- 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