Pastina Mac and Cheese
Pastina Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
For the Pasta
- 1 cup pastina
- as needed water, salted, for boiling
For the Cheese Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 1 cup medium cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- as needed salt, to taste
- as needed black pepper, to taste
For the Topping
- 1/2 cup shredded cheese, combined cheddar and mozzarella
- 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Bring a pot of salted water to a rolling boil.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 400
- 2
Add the pastina to the boiling water and cook for 2-3 minutes less than the package instructions. The pastina should be undercooked as it will finish cooking in the oven. Drain the pastina and set it aside.
⏱️ 5 min
- 3
In a medium saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour and whisk continuously for 1 minute until a smooth paste (roux) forms.
⏱️ 2 min
- 4
Slowly pour in 1 1/2 cups of milk, whisking constantly to prevent lumps, until the mixture thickens slightly.
⏱️ 3 min
- 5
Reduce the heat to low. Add 1 cup of medium shredded cheddar cheese, 1 cup of sharp shredded cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese, 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon of smoked paprika, and salt and black pepper to taste. Stir until all the cheeses are melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
⏱️ 3 min
- 6
Add the undercooked pastina to the cheese sauce and gently fold until evenly coated. The mixture should be extra saucy to ensure it remains creamy after baking.
⏱️ 2 min
- 7
Pour the pastina and cheese sauce mixture into a small baking dish. Evenly sprinkle 1/4 cup of panko breadcrumbs and 1/2 cup of the combined shredded cheeses over the top.
⏱️ 2 min
- 8
Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until bubbly. Then, switch the oven to broil on high and broil for 2 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and crispy. Keep a close eye on it to prevent burning.
⏱️ 12 min•🌡️ 400
- 9
Carefully remove from the oven and serve immediately. Enjoy your creamy Pastina Mac and Cheese!
⏱️ 1 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Pastina Mac and Cheese
For the Pasta
- 1 cup pastina
- as needed water, salted, for boiling
For the Cheese Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 1 cup medium cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- as needed salt, to taste
- as needed black pepper, to taste
For the Topping
- 1/2 cup shredded cheese, combined cheddar and mozzarella
- 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Bring a pot of salted water to a rolling boil.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 400 - 2
Add the pastina to the boiling water and cook for 2-3 minutes less than the package instructions. The pastina should be undercooked as it will finish cooking in the oven. Drain the pastina and set it aside.
⏱️ 5 min - 3
In a medium saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour and whisk continuously for 1 minute until a smooth paste (roux) forms.
⏱️ 2 min - 4
Slowly pour in 1 1/2 cups of milk, whisking constantly to prevent lumps, until the mixture thickens slightly.
⏱️ 3 min - 5
Reduce the heat to low. Add 1 cup of medium shredded cheddar cheese, 1 cup of sharp shredded cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese, 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon of smoked paprika, and salt and black pepper to taste. Stir until all the cheeses are melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
⏱️ 3 min - 6
Add the undercooked pastina to the cheese sauce and gently fold until evenly coated. The mixture should be extra saucy to ensure it remains creamy after baking.
⏱️ 2 min - 7
Pour the pastina and cheese sauce mixture into a small baking dish. Evenly sprinkle 1/4 cup of panko breadcrumbs and 1/2 cup of the combined shredded cheeses over the top.
⏱️ 2 min - 8
Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until bubbly. Then, switch the oven to broil on high and broil for 2 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and crispy. Keep a close eye on it to prevent burning.
⏱️ 12 min•🌡️ 400 - 9
Carefully remove from the oven and serve immediately. Enjoy your creamy Pastina Mac and Cheese!
⏱️ 1 min