Description
Creamy mac and cheese recipe brings comfort straight from Southern kitchens, blending rich cheddar and smooth cream cheese into a delightful pasta experience. Southern charm meets culinary magic, inviting you to savor each cheesy, comforting bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese:
- 1 pound mozzarella cheese (made with non-animal rennet)
- 8 ounces sharp cheddar (yellow preferred, made with plant-based rennet)
Pasta:
- 1 pound cavatappi pasta
Seasonings and Additives:
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon coarse salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 3 tablespoons salted butter
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 1 (12 ounces) can evaporated milk
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon mustard
- Fresh chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the oven and cheese at 350°F. Manually shred cheese varieties, combining and dividing into two equal portions for strategic layering.
- Cook cavatappi in generously salted water until perfectly al dente. Drain and lightly coat with olive oil to prevent clumping, then set aside.
- Create a flavor-building roux in a large skillet. Melt butter over medium heat, incorporate half the seasoning mix. Whisk in flour, allowing it to develop a nutty aroma and create tiny bubbles, approximately one minute.
- Gradually introduce liquid components. Pour evaporated milk and heavy cream while continuously whisking. Add remaining seasoning and mustard. Simmer until sauce thickens and reaches a consistent coating consistency, roughly 4-5 minutes.
- Integrate cheese gradually into the sauce. Incorporate first cheese portion handful by handful, ensuring complete melting between additions to achieve a velvety smooth texture.
- Thoroughly coat pasta with cheese sauce. Transfer half the mixture into baking dish, sprinkle reserved cheese, then layer remaining pasta and cheese for maximum flavor distribution.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until bubbling. Activate broiler for 1-2 minutes to create a golden crispy surface, monitoring closely to prevent burning.
- Finish with fresh parsley garnish, adding vibrant color and complementary herbal notes before serving.
Notes
- Customize cheese blend by mixing sharp cheddar, gruyere, or monterey jack for deeper flavor profiles.
- Prevent grainy sauce by grating cheese at room temperature and adding gradually while stirring constantly.
- Create gluten-free version by substituting all-purpose flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend.
- Reduce sodium content by using low-sodium cheese and cutting back on added salt during seasoning process.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 880
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 58 g
- Saturated Fat: 35 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 62 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg