Mac N ' Cheese Recipe
Creamy GAMETIME White Mac Cheese N ' Blend & Cavatappi Pasta
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Ingredients
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Pasta
Cheese Sauce
Optional Toppings / Mix-ins (Game Day Blend)
Method
Pasta
- 1
Boil pasta
Bring 6 cups of water to a rolling boil in a large pot. Add 1 tablespoon kosher salt. Add 1 lb cavatappi and cook until al dente according to package instructions (usually 8–10 minutes). Reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water, then drain pasta and set aside.
Cheese Sauce
- 2
Make roux
In a large heavy-bottomed saucepan or Dutch oven over medium heat, melt 4 tablespoons unsalted butter. Once melted and foaming, add 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour and whisk continuously for 1–2 minutes until the raw flour smell cooks out and the roux turns pale golden (do not brown).
- 3
Add dairy
Slowly whisk in 2 cups whole milk and 1 cup half-and-half, a little at a time to avoid lumps. Continue whisking until smooth and beginning to thicken, about 3–4 minutes.
- 4
Season and soften
Stir in 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Add 4 ounces softened cream cheese and whisk until melted and fully incorporated into the sauce.
- 5
Melt cheeses
Reduce heat to low. Gradually add 8 ounces shredded white cheddar and 4 ounces shredded Monterey Jack in handfuls, stirring after each addition until fully melted and smooth. Stir in 2 ounces finely grated Parmesan. If the sauce seems too thick, whisk in up to 1/2 cup reserved pasta water a few tablespoons at a time to reach desired consistency.
- 6
Finish sauce
Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed. If you want a little heat for game day, stir in 1 teaspoon hot sauce now (optional). Keep sauce warm over very low heat; do not boil.
- 7
Combine pasta and sauce
Add the drained cavatappi to the sauce and gently fold until all pasta is coated. If necessary, add more reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce so it clings to noodles evenly.
Optional Toppings / Bake (optional)
- 8
Prepare breadcrumb topping
If using a baked topping, preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a small skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons butter and add 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs. Toast, stirring frequently, until golden, 3–4 minutes. Stir in chopped bacon (if using) and 2 tablespoons chopped scallions.
- 9
Assemble and bake
Transfer mac and cheese to a buttered 9x13 baking dish. Sprinkle toasted panko-bacon mixture evenly over the top and scatter remaining shredded cheese or a little extra Parmesan if desired. Bake for 12–15 minutes until bubbly and topping is golden. For extra color, broil 1–2 minutes—watch closely to prevent burning.
- 10
Serve
Remove from oven and let rest 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped parsley and additional scallions. Serve hot.