Tini’s Mac and Cheese Recipe: 5 Reasons It’s the Best
Creamy, golden, and irresistibly cheesy, Tini’s Mac and Cheese features a three-cheese blend with a crisp crust and tender pasta. Easy to prep and bake, it’s a versatile, main-dish comfort food perfect for gatherings, family dinners, or meal prep.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Main dishes
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta Prep:
- 1 pound macaroni (elbow or cavatappi)
- Salt for the pasta water (about 1 tablespoon)
Cheese Blend:
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan
Flavor Boosters in the Sauce:
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3 cups whole milk
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Optional: Pinch of garlic powder or smoked paprika
Instructions
- Grate all the cheeses and divide them into sauce and topping portions.
- Preheat oven to 375°F and grease a 9×13 baking dish.
- Boil Creamy, golden, and irresistibly cheesy, Tini’s Mac and Cheese features a three-cheese blend with a crisp crust and tender pasta. Easy to prep and bake, it’s a versatile, main-dish comfort food perfect for gatherings, family dinners, or meal prep.
- without rinsing.
- Melt the butter in a saucepan, then stir in the flour and cook for 2 minutes to create a roux.
- Gradually whisk in warm milk until the mixture is smooth and thickened.
- Add Dijon, salt, pepper, and optional spices.
- Turn off the heat, stir in the mozzarella, cheddar, and half the parmesan until melted.
- Gently fold in cooked pasta; transfer to baking dish.
- Top evenly with reserved cheese blend.
- Bake at 375°F for 20–25 minutes, or until the mixture is bubbling and golden.
- Broil for 1–2 minutes, watching closely, for a crisp top.
- Rest 5–10 minutes before serving.
Notes
For best results, use freshly grated cheese and whole milk. Avoid overbaking to maintain creaminess. The dish adapts well to gluten-free or dairy-free swaps. Leftovers reheat beautifully with a splash of milk for added comfort the next day.
Keywords: mac and cheese, baked pasta, comfort food, cheese sauce, main course, creamy