Description
Tini’s Mac and Cheese is a rich, ultra-creamy comfort dish featuring a trio of cheeses—mozzarella, Colby Jack, and sharp cheddar—blended into a silky sauce with cavatappi pasta and baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
- 1 lb mozzarella cheese, grated
- 1 lb Colby Jack cheese, grated
- 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese, grated
- 1 lb cavatappi (corkscrew) pasta
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp coarse salt
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 6 tbsp salted butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 12 oz can evaporated milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard (or mustard powder)
- Fresh chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grate the mozzarella, Colby Jack, and sharp cheddar cheeses. Toss together and set aside half in a separate bowl.
- Cook the cavatappi pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a small bowl, combine garlic powder, smoked paprika, coarse salt, and black pepper.
- In a skillet, melt the butter over medium heat and stir in half the seasoning mix. Add the flour and whisk for 1–2 minutes until bubbly.
- Gradually whisk in the evaporated milk until thickened. Add the heavy cream, remaining seasoning, and Dijon mustard. Continue whisking until smooth and silky.
- Add half of the cheese mixture to the sauce, one handful at a time, stirring until fully melted.
- Stir in the cooked pasta, tossing to coat thoroughly with the sauce.
- In a 9×13-inch baking dish, layer half of the pasta mixture, sprinkle one-third of the reserved cheese, then add the remaining pasta. Top with the rest of the reserved cheese.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes until bubbly, then broil for 1–2 minutes to achieve a golden crust.
- Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve hot.
Notes
- Fold in steamed broccoli for added color and nutrition.
- For a stovetop version, skip the baking step and serve immediately after mixing the pasta with the cheese sauce.
- To make ahead, assemble and refrigerate up to 2 days before baking.
- Freeze unbaked mac and cheese and extend baking time by 30–35 minutes when cooking from frozen.
- Reheat leftovers in the oven at 350°F, covered, for best texture; broil briefly to crisp the top.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 470mg
- Fat: 34g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 21g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
