This Ultra Creamy and Cheesy Mac & Cheese is the best comfort cuisine! Every mouthful of soft pasta, silky cheese sauce, and golden, crunchy breadcrumb topping is rich, decadent, and quite seductive. This tinis mac and cheese recipewill surely be a favourite whether you’re preparing it for a family get-together or a laid-back evening.
Table of Contents
The Reason You Will Love This Recipe
- The ideal sauce is made from sharp cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan combined in a super creamy and cheesy manner.
- Perfect for a weekday dinner, it is ready and easy to make in thirty minutes.
- Golden, Crispy Topping: Panko breadcrumbs taken to the next level are buttery.
- Customizable: Add more cheese, jalapeños, or bacon for your spin!
🔗 Craving more creamy comfort food? Try this Marry Me Chicken Pasta for another ultra-cheesy dish!
Ingredients
For the Pasta
- The venerable pasta form for mac & cheese is elbow macaroni.
For the Breadcrumb Topping and the Sauce
- Both the breadcrumb topping and the sauce call for unsalted butter.
- All-purpose flour helps to produce a creamy cheese sauce.
- Combining whole milk and heavy cream gives the sauce a rich, velvety texture.
- Dijon Mustard brings a little acidity and depth of taste.
- Onion and garlic powder improve the savoury undertones.
- Salt and black pepper balance and enhance every taste.
- Perfect for a strong cheese taste, sharp cheddar cheese melts wonderfully.
- Extra creaminess and stretch abound from mozzarella cheese.
- Parmesan cheese gives a nutsy, salted kick.
- Optionally, smoked paprika adds a subdued, smoky dimension.
- Panko Breadcrumbs for a golden, crispy top.
- Melted butter lets breadcrumbs toast for additional crunch.
👉 The complete ingredient list with measurements is in the recipe card below!
🔗 Looking for the perfect side dish? Pair this mac and cheese with a classic Southern Cornbread Recipe for a delicious meal!
Making Tini’s Mac & Cheese
First Step: Prepare the Pasta
- Cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Empty and save the pasta water.
Second Step: Making the Cheese Sauce
- Melt butter and mix in flour in a big pot set over medium heat. Cook until the roux turns golden one to two minutes.
- Whisk slowly milk and heavy cream, stirring frequently to avoid lumps. Add Dijon mustard, onion powder, salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic powder, stirring to mix.
Third Stage: Melt the Cheese
- Cut heat to low and progressively add Parmesan cheese, mozzarella, and cheddar, stirring until thoroughly melted and smooth.
Step 4: Combine Pasta and Sauce
- Toss the cooked pasta gently to coat every noodle in the rich, creamy deliciousness of the cheese sauce.
Step 5: Prepare the Topping
- Move the mac and cheese to a greased baking dish. Melt butter, then toss Panko breadcrumbs in a small bowl over the top.
Step 6: Perfection Bake
- Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 15 to 20 minutes until the topping is brown and crispy.
Step 7: Present and Savor
- Let cool somewhat before serving; dig into the best creamy, cheesy mac and cheese!
🔗 Love baked comfort food? Try making a Mini Chicken Pot Pie for another warm, cozy meal!
Pro Advice on Creating the Recipe
- Use freshly grated cheese; pre-shredded cheese melts more slowly.
- Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Don’t overcook pasta; al dente pasta holds up well in the sauce.
- Change the thickness; sprinkle warm milk if the sauce seems overly thick.
- Make It Spicier: Add cayenne pepper or sliced jalapeños for a kick.
🔗 For another ultra-creamy, cheese-loaded dish, check out Garlic Butter Chicken with Creamy Ricotta Alfredo Pasta!
How to Serve
- As the main dish, it is fulfilling on its own.
- Serve with grilled or barbecued meat meals , Fantastic side for steak, chicken, or ribs.
- Use a side salad to counter the richness with something fresh.
- Top with extra cheese since more cheese is usually a great idea!
Make Ahead and Organization for Storage
Conserving Leftovers
- Store leftover mac and cheese refrigerated in an airtight container for up to three days.
Frozen
- Mac and cheese keeps frozen in an airtight container for up to two months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight; then reheat.
Reheating
- Reheat on the stove over low heat, adding a splash of milk to restore creaminess. You can also microwave it in 30-second intervals, stirring in between.
FAQs
Can I make this mac and cheese without baking it?
Yes! If you prefer a stovetop-only version, skip the breadcrumb topping and serve it straight from the pot.
What’s the best cheese combination for mac and cheese?
A mix of cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan creates a great balance of sharp, creamy, and nutty flavours.
How do I make it even creamier?
Increase the heavy cream slightly and reduce the flour in the roux.
Can I use a different pasta shape?
Absolutely! Shells, cavatappi, or fusilli all work well in this recipe.
Conclusion
This Tini’s Mac and Cheese is the ultimate comfort dish creamy, cheesy, and flavoured! Whether for a family dinner or a special gathering, it’s a recipe that will have everyone returning for seconds. Enjoy! 🧀✨
Tini’s Mac and Cheese
Equipment
- Large Pot
- Whisk
- Baking Dish
- Mixing Bowl
Ingredients
For the Pasta
- 12 oz elbow macaroni
For the Cheese Sauce
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika optional
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
For the Topping
- 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp butter melted
Instructions
- Cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large pot over medium heat, melt butter and whisk in flour. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the roux is golden.
- Slowly whisk in milk and heavy cream, stirring constantly to avoid lumps.
- Add Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika. Stir to combine.
- Reduce heat to low and gradually add cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese, stirring until melted and smooth.
- Add cooked pasta to the cheese sauce, tossing to coat evenly.
- Transfer mac and cheese to a greased baking dish.
- In a small bowl, mix Panko breadcrumbs with melted butter, then sprinkle over the mac and cheese.
- Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 15-20 minutes until the top is golden and crispy.
- Let cool slightly before serving. Enjoy!