Tini's Famous Mac and Cheese
Ultra-creamy, cheesy baked macaroni and cheese with a golden crust that's guaranteed to be the star of any gathering.
Equipment
Ingredients
Pasta
cavatappi pasta (cooked, drained)
450 g
Cheeses
mozzarella cheese (grated)
450 g
Colby jack cheese (grated)
450 g
cheddar cheese (grated)
225 g
Cheese Sauce
garlic powder
1 tsp
smoked paprika
1 tsp
salt
0.5 tsp
black pepper
0.5 tsp
butter
42 g
all-purpose flour
24 g
evaporated milk
354 ml
heavy cream
480 ml
Dijon mustard
15 ml
Instructions
Preheat oven and prepare baking dish
Preheat oven to 175°C. Grease a 23 x 33 cm baking dish.
Cook the pasta
Cook cavatappi according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
Prepare cheese and seasoning mixtures
Combine all 3 shredded cheeses in a bowl and divide half into another bowl. Combine garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Divide in half and set aside.
Make the cheese sauce base
Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Once melted, add half of the seasoning mixture and flour. Stir until the mixture becomes paste-like, about 3-5 minutes.
Add dairy and complete sauce
Add evaporated milk and whisk until thick. Add heavy cream and remaining seasoning mixture, mixing until combined. Whisk in Dijon mustard until thick. Slowly add half the cheese, allowing it to melt before adding more.
Combine pasta with sauce
Stir in cooked cavatappi until coated with cheese sauce.
Assemble in baking dish
Add a layer of cavatappi and cheese sauce to the prepared baking dish. Add a layer of shredded cheese. Repeat layers.
Bake the mac and cheese
Bake in preheated oven until cheese is melted and bubbly, about 25-30 minutes.
Broil to finish
Finish by broiling until top is golden brown, about 2 minutes.
Original recipe
Storage
Cover with foil when reheating to prevent drying out. Add a splash of milk if sauce is too thick.
Your kitchen, together
Try Chopa today
Save recipes, plan meals, and manage your groceries — all in one place.