Description
Creamy Mac and Cheese Recipe celebrates comfort food with a gourmet twist, blending rich cheeses and perfectly cooked pasta. Cheese lovers will savor each indulgent bite of this classic dish that promises pure culinary satisfaction.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound (454 grams) cavatappi pasta
- 1 pound (454 grams) mozzarella cheese
- 1 pound (454 grams) Colby jack cheese
- 8 ounces (227 grams) cheddar cheese
Dairy and Liquid Ingredients:
- 12 ounces (340 milliliters) evaporated milk
- 2 cups (480 milliliters) heavy cream
- 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) butter
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) Dijon mustard
Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) flour
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F, creating an ideal environment for baking the mac and cheese to golden perfection.
- Grate all cheese varieties into a uniform mixture, then blend the selected spices to enhance the dish’s flavor profile.
- Craft a smooth roux by melting butter and incorporating flour, allowing the mixture to develop a rich, nutty base while stirring in the prepared spices.
- Gradually introduce milk and mustard to the roux, whisking continuously to create a velvety, well-integrated sauce without lumps.
- Incorporate half of the grated cheese blend into the sauce, stirring until the cheese melts completely and creates a luxurious, creamy texture.
- Combine cooked pasta with the cheese sauce, ensuring each pasta piece is evenly coated with the rich, flavorful mixture.
- Transfer the pasta mixture to a baking dish, strategically layering the remaining cheese on top to create a golden, crispy crust.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, watching for a bubbling, bronzed surface that signals the mac and cheese is ready to be served.
Notes
- Customize cheese blend by mixing sharp cheddar with gruyère or gouda for deeper flavor complexity.
- Prevent dry mac & cheese by keeping sauce creamy with extra milk or adding a splash of cream during mixing.
- Toast breadcrumbs with melted butter before sprinkling on top for a crunchy, golden-brown textural contrast.
- Create gluten-free version by substituting wheat flour with cornstarch or using gluten-free pasta varieties.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 518 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 390 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 22 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg