Extra Cheesy Baked Mac and Cheese
Extra Cheesy Baked Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
For the Cheese Blend
- 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese
- 8 ounces Colby Jack cheese
- 8 ounces mozzarella cheese
- 6 ounces Gruyère cheese
- 4 ounces pepper jack cheese
For the Mac and Cheese
- 16 ounces cavatappi pasta
- 3 tablespoons salted butter
- 3 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 2 cups evaporated milk
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
- as needed paprika, for topping
- as needed fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 400°F. Shred all cheeses (sharp cheddar, Colby Jack, mozzarella, Gruyère, and pepper jack) and combine into one large cheese blend. Set aside.
⏱️ 10 min•🌡️ 400
- 2
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add cavatappi pasta and cook for 6 minutes, just under al dente. Drain in a colander, then return pasta to the pot.
⏱️ 10 min
- 3
In an enamel cast iron skillet over medium heat, melt 3 tablespoons of salted butter. Sprinkle in 3 tablespoons of all purpose flour and whisk continuously for 1 to 2 minutes to create a roux. Add 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of black pepper, 1 teaspoon of paprika, and 1/2 teaspoon of ground mustard, whisking until smooth.
⏱️ 5 min
- 4
Slowly pour in 2 cups of evaporated milk, whisking continuously. Slowly pour in 2 cups of heavy cream and continue whisking until fully combined. Add 8 ounces of softened cream cheese and whisk until melted and smooth.
⏱️ 5 min
- 5
Turn off the heat and add 3 1/2 cups of the shredded cheese blend. Stir until melted and creamy. Reserve the remaining cheese for layering.
⏱️ 3 min
- 6
Pour the cheese sauce over the pasta and mix until evenly coated.
⏱️ 2 min
- 7
Carefully wipe out the skillet, then lightly butter the inside. Add half of the mac and cheese mixture to the skillet and spread evenly. Sprinkle with half of the reserved shredded cheese. Repeat with the remaining mac and cheese, then top with the rest of the shredded cheese. Lightly sprinkle paprika over the top.
⏱️ 5 min
- 8
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until bubbly and golden around the edges.
⏱️ 28 min•🌡️ 400
- 9
Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.
⏱️ 5 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Extra Cheesy Baked Mac and Cheese
For the Cheese Blend
- 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese
- 8 ounces Colby Jack cheese
- 8 ounces mozzarella cheese
- 6 ounces Gruyère cheese
- 4 ounces pepper jack cheese
For the Mac and Cheese
- 16 ounces cavatappi pasta
- 3 tablespoons salted butter
- 3 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 2 cups evaporated milk
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
- as needed paprika, for topping
- as needed fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 400°F. Shred all cheeses (sharp cheddar, Colby Jack, mozzarella, Gruyère, and pepper jack) and combine into one large cheese blend. Set aside.
⏱️ 10 min•🌡️ 400 - 2
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add cavatappi pasta and cook for 6 minutes, just under al dente. Drain in a colander, then return pasta to the pot.
⏱️ 10 min - 3
In an enamel cast iron skillet over medium heat, melt 3 tablespoons of salted butter. Sprinkle in 3 tablespoons of all purpose flour and whisk continuously for 1 to 2 minutes to create a roux. Add 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of black pepper, 1 teaspoon of paprika, and 1/2 teaspoon of ground mustard, whisking until smooth.
⏱️ 5 min - 4
Slowly pour in 2 cups of evaporated milk, whisking continuously. Slowly pour in 2 cups of heavy cream and continue whisking until fully combined. Add 8 ounces of softened cream cheese and whisk until melted and smooth.
⏱️ 5 min - 5
Turn off the heat and add 3 1/2 cups of the shredded cheese blend. Stir until melted and creamy. Reserve the remaining cheese for layering.
⏱️ 3 min - 6
Pour the cheese sauce over the pasta and mix until evenly coated.
⏱️ 2 min - 7
Carefully wipe out the skillet, then lightly butter the inside. Add half of the mac and cheese mixture to the skillet and spread evenly. Sprinkle with half of the reserved shredded cheese. Repeat with the remaining mac and cheese, then top with the rest of the shredded cheese. Lightly sprinkle paprika over the top.
⏱️ 5 min - 8
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until bubbly and golden around the edges.
⏱️ 28 min•🌡️ 400 - 9
Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.
⏱️ 5 min