Description
Viral mac and cheese from TikTok brings creamy comfort to dinner tables everywhere. Cheesy goodness merges simple ingredients with internet-inspired magic, promising a crowd-pleasing meal that delivers pure deliciousness you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheeses:
- 4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
Pasta and Base:
- 16 ounces (454 grams) elbow macaroni
- 4 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Boil macaroni in salted water until al dente, following package guidelines, then thoroughly drain and set aside.
- Create a golden roux by melting butter in a spacious pot over medium heat, whisking in flour and cooking for approximately 2 minutes until fragrant and light golden.
- Slowly incorporate milk and heavy cream, continuously whisking to create a silky, lump-free sauce that gradually thickens.
- Enhance the sauce with aromatic seasonings: garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and freshly ground black pepper, stirring to distribute evenly.
- Gradually fold in three cheese varieties – cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan – allowing each to melt completely and create a luxuriously smooth cheese sauce.
- Gently fold cooked macaroni into the cheese mixture, ensuring every pasta piece is generously coated with the creamy sauce.
- Transfer to serving dishes immediately while piping hot, optionally garnishing with additional grated cheese or finely chopped fresh herbs for extra visual appeal and flavor complexity.
Notes
- Customize cheese blend by experimenting with different sharp or mild varieties for unique flavor profiles.
- Use gluten-free pasta and swap wheat flour with cornstarch or rice flour for a celiac-friendly version.
- Create a lighter option by substituting half-and-half or whole milk instead of heavy cream to reduce calories.
- Enhance texture by toasting breadcrumbs with herbs and sprinkling on top for added crunch and depth of flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 630 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 42 g
- Saturated Fat: 26 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 44 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 135 mg