Mac & Cheese recipe served on a plate, by Pekin the Chef
Jul 14 2026
RestaurantsRam Restaurant & BreweryMac & Cheese Recipe

Mac & Cheese Recipe

Time45m
Serves6
Rating
3.0
1 rating

Cavatappi corkscrew pasta, rich, creamy cheddar cheese sauce, gratiné.

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Ingredients

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General Ingredients

Cheese Sauce Ingredients

Method

Cooking Pasta

  1. 1

    Boil Water

    In a large pot, bring 8 cups of water to a rolling boil.

  2. 2

    Cook Pasta

    Add the 8 cups of Cavatappi pasta to the boiling water, along with 1 teaspoon of salt. Cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually around 8-10 minutes.

  3. 3

    Drain Pasta

    Once cooked, drain the pasta in a colander and set aside.

Making Cheese Sauce

  1. 4

    Melt Butter

    In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt 4 tablespoons of butter.

  2. 5

    Add Flour

    Once the butter is melted, whisk in 1 cup of all-purpose flour. Cook for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the mixture is lightly golden.

  3. 6

    Add Milk

    Gradually whisk in 2 cups of milk, ensuring there are no lumps. Continue to whisk until the mixture thickens, about 5-7 minutes.

  4. 7

    Add Cheese and Seasonings

    Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese, 1 teaspoon of black pepper, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, and mix until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth.

Combining Ingredients

  1. 8

    Combine Pasta and Sauce

    Add the drained Cavatappi pasta to the cheese sauce, stirring well to coat the pasta evenly.

Baking

  1. 9

    Preheat Oven

    Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

  2. 10

    Prepare Baking Dish

    Transfer the mac and cheese mixture into a greased baking dish.

  3. 11

    Top with Breadcrumbs and Paprika

    Sprinkle 1 cup of breadcrumbs evenly over the top of the mac and cheese and then sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of paprika for color and flavor.

  4. 12

    Bake

    Bake in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly.

Serving

  1. 13

    Cool and Serve

    Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your homemade Mac & Cheese!

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