Creamy Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 pound cavatappi shells
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour)
(SEE NOTE BELOW
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup milk)
any kind (I used 2%
- 1¼ cups heavy whipping cream
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese
Directions
- 1
In a large pot, cook noodles in boil water until al dente, per packaged directions. Drain and set aside.
- 2
In a medium pot, melt butter. Then whisk in flour (see note below), salt, and pepper, to form a roux. *This is a basic mac and cheese recipe, which is not meant to be spicy or zesty. If you feel the mac and cheese needs more oomph, add in some garlic powder, paprika, or onion powder*
- 3
Slowly add milk and heavy cream, whisking until combined. Heat mixture until it bubbles over medium heat and thickens slightly.
- 4
Reduce heat to low and add in cheeses. Stir until melted and smooth. Add pasta to cheese mixture and toss to combine. If mixture is too thick, add 1-2 tablespoons more milk and go from there.
- 5
Let macaroni and cheese sit for 5 minutes to thicken.
Creamy Mac and Cheese
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About this Recipe
Craving the ultimate comfort food that’s ready in a flash? This Creamy Mac and Cheese recipe delivers a rich, hearty, and utterly delicious experience straight from your stovetop. It's the perfect solution for a busy weeknight or when you need a comforting meal without the fuss.
What makes this Creamy Mac and Cheese truly stand out is its commitment to lush texture and deep flavor. Featuring a harmonious blend of two classic cheeses—sharp cheddar for its bold bite and mozzarella for its incredible melt—this dish achieves an unparalleled creaminess. The stovetop preparation ensures a consistently smooth sauce that coats every cavatappi shell perfectly.
Prepare your palate for a truly satisfying mac and cheese experience. Each forkful offers tender cavatappi shells enveloped in a velvety, golden cheese sauce that's both sharp and subtly stretchy. You'll taste the familiar, comforting notes of cheddar balanced by the mild, gooey goodness of mozzarella, all brought together by a rich cream base. This is a hearty dish that promises to warm you from the inside out, providing that quintessential homemade taste in a fraction of the time you might expect.
Customizing this classic is wonderfully simple. While cavatappi shells provide excellent nooks and crannies for the sauce, feel free to experiment with other pasta shapes like elbow macaroni or medium shells. The recipe welcomes any type of milk; while 2% was used here, whole milk will add even more richness, or a plant-based milk can be used for a dairy-free twist if you also adjust the cheeses. For a different flavor profile, consider swapping one of the cheeses for Gruyère or Colby Jack.
Serve this Creamy Mac and Cheese as the star of a casual family dinner or a delightful side dish for a barbecue. Its robust flavor and comforting texture make it an instant crowd-pleaser.