Cheesy Tini’s Mac and Cheese

Cheesy Tini’s Mac and Cheese

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 30

inactive 5

Cheesy Tini’s Mac & Cheese is the ultimate comfort food—a creamy, dreamy, and perfectly baked mac and cheese loaded with three kinds of cheese: mozzarella, Colby jack, and cheddar. The subtle hint of Dijon mustard adds a surprising depth to the dish, while the spices create just the right balance of flavor. Whether it’s for a cozy family dinner or a holiday gathering, this mac and cheese is bound to steal the spotlight. Serve it hot and watch as everyone goes back for seconds!

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Servings

Ingredients

1 pound cavatappi pasta cooked
1 pound mozzarella cheese grated
1 pound Colby jack cheese grated
8 ounces Cheddar cheese grated
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
3 tbsp butter
3 tbsp flour
1 12 ounces can evaporated milk
2 cups heavy cream
1 tbsp Dijon mustard

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
In a large bowl, mix all the grated cheeses together. Set aside half of the cheese blend in a different bowl.
Blend the garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper together in a small bowl. Divide the spice mix in half and set one portion aside.
In a big pot, soften the butter over medium heat. Once melted, add the flour and half of the spice blend. Stir constantly and cook for about 1-2 minutes until the mixture is slightly browned and smooth.
Gradually pour in the evaporated milk, whisking continuously to ensure a lump-free sauce. Slowly add the heavy cream, the rest of the spice mix, and Dijon mustard, stirring until well incorporated. Gradually add half of the cheese mixture, stirring until it melts completely into the sauce.
Fold the cooked pasta into the creamy cheese sauce, making sure it's evenly coated. Transfer half of the pasta and sauce mixture to your prepared baking dish, then sprinkle half of the reserved cheese on top. Add the remainder of the pasta mix and top with the remaining cheese.
Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese on top is bubbly and has a light golden crust.

Notes

To make this recipe gluten-free, simply swap the regular pasta for your favorite gluten-free variety. Make sure the flour used in the roux is gluten-free as well—many gluten-free flour blends work well for this. You’ll still get the same creamy, cheesy, and indulgent mac and cheese without any gluten worries! Just double-check that all of your ingredients, like the Dijon mustard, are certified gluten-free, and you're good to go.

Nutrition

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