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Creamy Mac and Cheese Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 100 reviews

This creamy mac and cheese recipe features tender cavatappi pasta enveloped in a rich, cheesy sauce made from cheddar and mozzarella cheeses blended with a smooth butter and flour roux. It’s a classic comfort food prepared on the stovetop, offering a perfect balance of creamy texture and cheesy flavor that’s ideal for a cozy meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 1 pound cavatappi shells

Sauce

  • ¼ cup unsalted butter
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup milk (2% recommended)
  • 1¼ cups heavy whipping cream
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

  1. Cook Pasta: In a large pot, bring water to a boil and cook the cavatappi shells according to the package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta thoroughly and set it aside for later use.
  2. Make Roux: In a medium pot, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the all-purpose flour, salt, and black pepper to form a smooth roux. This will serve as the thickening base for the cheese sauce.
  3. Add Milk and Cream: Gradually pour in the milk and heavy whipping cream while continuously whisking to combine. Continue heating over medium heat until the mixture begins to bubble and thickens slightly, forming a creamy base for the sauce.
  4. Incorporate Cheese: Lower the heat to low and add shredded sharp cheddar and mozzarella cheeses. Stir gently until the cheeses melt completely and the sauce becomes smooth and velvety. If the sauce is too thick, add 1-2 tablespoons of milk incrementally to achieve the desired consistency.
  5. Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked cavatappi pasta into the cheese sauce, tossing thoroughly to ensure each piece is well coated with the creamy sauce.
  6. Rest and Thicken: Allow the mac and cheese to sit for 5 minutes off the heat so that the sauce thickens further and flavors meld together before serving.

Notes

  • For added flavor, consider incorporating garlic powder, paprika, or onion powder into the roux stage.
  • Use 2% milk for balanced richness; however, whole or skim milk can be substituted depending on preference.
  • Ensure not to overcook the pasta to maintain a perfect al dente texture that holds up well in the creamy sauce.
  • If the sauce becomes too thick after resting, stir in a small splash of milk to loosen it.

Keywords: creamy mac and cheese, stovetop mac and cheese, cavatappi pasta, cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, comfort food, easy macaroni and cheese

Find it online: https://ricoloranz.com/creamy-mac-and-cheese-recipe/