Description

This viral comfort food recipe for Baked Mac & Cheese combines multiple cheeses and a luscious creamy sauce to deliver a rich, gooey, and satisfying meal. Featuring cavatappi pasta baked in a velvety cheese sauce infused with smoked paprika and garlic powder, this dish is a perfect cozy classic that bakes to bubbly perfection with a golden, crunchy top.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

16 oz cavatappi pasta

Cheeses

16 oz colby jack cheese
8 oz mozzarella cheese
8 oz sharp cheddar cheese

Spices and Flavorings

1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

Sauce Base

3 tablespoons salted butter
1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
2 cups heavy cream
All-purpose flour (amount estimated: 3 tablespoons)

Instructions

Prep Your Oven and Pasta: Preheat your oven to 375°F and grease a 9×13 casserole dish to prevent sticking. Boil the cavatappi pasta in salted water until al dente, then drain and set aside.
Grate and Mix Your Cheeses: Grate the colby jack, mozzarella, and sharp cheddar cheeses. Combine them in a bowl and reserve half for layering on top later.
Make the Creamy Cheese Sauce: In a skillet over medium-low heat, melt the butter and sprinkle in half of the garlic powder and smoked paprika. Whisk in 3 tablespoons of flour to make a roux and cook for 1-2 minutes until it bubbles gently. Slowly whisk in the evaporated milk and heavy cream to avoid lumps. Bring the sauce to a low boil, then stir in the remaining garlic powder, smoked paprika, and Dijon mustard.
Combine Pasta and Sauce with Cheese: Add half of the shredded cheese mix into the thickened sauce and stir until melted and gooey. Fold in the cooked pasta until evenly coated in sauce.
Layer and Bake to Perfection: In the prepared casserole dish, layer half of the cheesy pasta mixture, sprinkle half of the reserved cheese on top, then add the remaining pasta mixture. Finish with the leftover cheese evenly spread on top. Bake at 375°F for 30 minutes. Then broil for 3-4 minutes until the top is golden and crunchy.

Notes

Use cavatappi pasta or a similar spiral shape to hold onto the cheese sauce better.
For extra texture, add a crunchy breadcrumb topping before baking.
Garnish with fresh parsley or chives for brightness and color.
Add crushed red pepper flakes or hot sauce to add heat if desired.
This dish pairs well with crisp salads or roasted vegetables to balance richness.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and reheat gently.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Baked mac and cheese, cheesy comfort food, creamy mac and cheese, cavatappi mac and cheese, baked pasta, cheesy casserole