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EASY MAC AND CHEESE RECIPE

Creamy cavatappi mac and cheese EASY MAC AND CHEESE RECIPE rich melted cheddar close up
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This easy mac and cheese recipe is a quick mac n cheese recipe perfect for at home mac and cheese lovers. It features a silky smooth cheese sauce with no bake mac and cheese recipe technique for a creamy finish. Enjoy the best homemade mac and cheese recipe easy to make.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb Cavatappi Pasta or elbow penne farfalle
  • 4 Tablespoons Butter
  • 1/4 cup Flour
  • 1 1/2 cups Whole Milk
  • 1 1/2 cups Heavy Cream
  • 8 ounces Sharp Cheddar freshly grated
  • 8 ounces American Cheese Boar’s Head from the deli
  • 4 ounces Medium Cheddar Cheese freshly grated
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • 1 teaspoon Pepper
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons Paprika
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon Mustard may use 2 teaspoons

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the cavatappi pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  2. While pasta water is heating up, in a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for about 2 minutes until it forms a smooth paste.
  3. Slowly pour in the heavy cream and whole milk about 1/4 cup at a time while whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Cook for 2-3 minutes until mixture thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
  4. Stir in the dijon mustard paprika garlic powder salt and pepper. Adjust seasonings to taste.
  5. Reduce heat to low. Gradually add the Boar’s Head American cheese cut into small pieces 4 ounces of medium cheddar and 4 ounces sharp cheddar reserving the other 4 ounces for topping stirring constantly until fully melted and smooth.
  6. Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and stir to coat evenly. Pour into baking dish.
  7. Sprinkle with the remaining 4 ounces of cheddar cheese. Broil for 2-3 minutes or bake at 350 for 12-15 minutes.
  8. Serve immediately for the creamiest texture optionally garnish with dried parsley or additional paprika.

Notes

  • See the blog post for FAQ’s, how to keep your mac and cheese from becoming grainy, tips for keeping the cheese sauce creamy, and more
  • I highly suggest freshly grating blocks of cheese and NOT using pre-packaged cheese
  • Use freshly grated cheese from a block for best melting results

Nutrition

Find it online: https://www.amgroyal.com/easy-mac-and-cheese-recipe/