Tini's Macaroni and Cheese (Viral Recipe)
If you've seen the viral recipes for TikTok sensation Tini Younger's macaroni and cheese and you've been wanting to try it - now is the time. Tini's Macaroni and Cheese is a super creamy, decadent mac and cheese casserole that's smothered in a cheesy cream sauce and stuffed with layers of shredded cheese.
Servings: 12 servings
Ingredients
- 16 oz box cavatappi pasta I prefer to use elbow macaroni
- 16 oz colby jack cheese two 8-ounce blocks
- 8 oz mozzarella cheese shredded (not the soft mozzarella, use a hard block)
- 8 oz sharp cheddar
- seasoning mixture: 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 tsp pepper combine together in a small bowl
- 3 tablespoons salted butter plus more for greasing the baking dish
- 3 tablespoons flour
- (1) 12 oz can evaporated milk
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees and grease a 9x13 casserole dish. Grate all your cheeses, mix them together and divide in half. I used two gallon zip top bags and shredded the cheese ahead and stored in the fridge.
- Measure out your ingredients for the cheese sauce and place them near the cooktop as you have to work quickly when making a roux.
- Get the pasta to al dente, drain and set aside. While pasta cooks, make the creamy cheese sauce.
- In a large skillet over medium low heat, add in the butter and stir until melted. Add half the seasoning mixture.
- Whisk in the flour, cooking it for 1-2 minutes (it should lightly bubble).
- Pour in evaporated milk, cream, remaining seasonings, and dijon, whisking constantly until smooth. Bring to a low boil and allow to thicken.
- Add half the cheeses in portions until it's melted and incorporated. A spatula is best for this step.
- Fold the pasta into the cheese sauce ensuring you evenly coat the pasta.
- Transfer half the macaroni into the buttered 9x13 casserole dish. Sprinkle over half the remaining cheese.
- Pour over the rest of the macaroni and top it with a final layer of remaining cheese on top.
- Bake in the oven for 30 minutes. Optionally, you can broil for 3-4 minutes to get those signature bubbly browned spots on top.
Notes
*1 teaspoon of mustard powder can be used to substitute the dijon mustard if needed.
To make-ahead:
Prepare it up to the point of baking (don't bake). Allow it to fully cool on the counter and cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap. Then refrigerate for up to two days.
Before baking, take out of the fridge and leave it on the counter for 45 minutes to remove the chill from the fridge. Bake in the oven, adding an additional 15 minutes of bake time if needed. If the top starts to brown before it's baked through, simply add tented foil to the top. Remove the foil (if applicable) and broil for 5 minutes.