Ultimate Baked Mac and Cheese

Name: Ultimate Baked Mac and Cheese
Cook time: 30 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 lb cavatappi pasta; 1 tbsp kosher salt; 16 oz sharp cheddar cheese, shredded; 7 oz Gruyère cheese, shredded; 8 oz Monterey Jack cheese, shredded; 1 cup panko breadcrumbs; 3 tbsp melted butter; 0.25 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese; 0.5 tsp paprika; 8 tbsp unsalted butter; 0.5 cup all-purpose flour; 3 cups whole milk; 2 cups heavy whipping cream; 12 oz evaporated milk; 2 tsp kosher salt; 1 tsp black pepper; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp onion powder; 0.5 tsp smoked paprika; 0.5 tsp mustard powder; 8 oz cream cheese, softened; 0 cheese blend; 0 cooked pasta; 0 reserved cheese blend; 0 panko mixture

A rich and creamy baked mac and cheese with a blend of cheeses and a crispy topping.

By @alissanguyen_

Original recipe source

Cook time: 30 minutes

Servings: 4

Ingredients

1 lb cavatappi pasta
1 tbsp kosher salt
16 oz sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
7 oz Gruyère cheese, shredded
8 oz Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
3 tbsp melted butter
0.25 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
0.5 tsp paprika
8 tbsp unsalted butter
0.5 cup all-purpose flour
3 cups whole milk
2 cups heavy whipping cream
12 oz evaporated milk
2 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
0.5 tsp smoked paprika
0.5 tsp mustard powder
8 oz cream cheese, softened
0 cheese blend
0 cooked pasta
0 reserved cheese blend
0 panko mixture

Instructions

Cook the cavatappi pasta 2 minutes less than the package directions indicate. Drain the pasta and do not rinse it.
Mix the shredded sharp cheddar cheese, Gruyère cheese, and Monterey Jack cheese together. Reserve 2 cups of this cheese blend for the topping.
Combine the panko breadcrumbs, melted butter, finely grated Parmesan cheese, and paprika in a bowl and set aside.
Melt the unsalted butter in a large pot over medium heat. Whisk in the all-purpose flour and cook for 1-2 minutes.
Slowly whisk in the whole milk, heavy whipping cream, and evaporated milk. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring in the kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and mustard powder.
Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the softened cream cheese until melted and smooth.
Add the cheese blend a handful at a time, stirring until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
Fold the cooked pasta into the cheese sauce until well combined.
Transfer the pasta and cheese mixture to a greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Top with the reserved cheese blend and the panko mixture.
Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F for 25-30 minutes. Broil for 2-3 minutes until the top is golden brown. Let the dish rest for 10 minutes before serving.