Tini’s Ultimate Creamy Cheesy Mac and Cheese Recipe
Tini’s Mac and Cheese is a rich, creamy, and comforting classic dish featuring tender elbow macaroni enveloped in a luscious blend of sharp cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses. This recipe includes a creamy homemade cheese sauce with a hint of Dijon mustard and aromatic garlic and onion powders, topped with a crispy buttery panko breadcrumb crust achieved under the oven broiler for an irresistible finish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz elbow macaroni or pasta of choice
Cheese Sauce
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard (optional)
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Topping
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tbsp butter, melted
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Make the roux: In the same pot, melt 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Whisk in 3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour and cook, stirring constantly, for about 1-2 minutes until the mixture is bubbly and lightly golden but not browned.
- Add the dairy: Gradually whisk in 2 cups of whole milk and 1 cup of heavy cream, ensuring the mixture is smooth. Continue to cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon, roughly 5-7 minutes.
- Incorporate the cheese: Lower the heat to medium-low and stir in 2 cups of shredded sharp cheddar, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella, and ½ cup of grated Parmesan until completely melted and smooth. Stir in 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (if using), ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add the drained macaroni back into the cheese sauce, stirring gently to coat all the pasta evenly.
- Add topping (optional): If using, preheat your oven broiler. Transfer the mac and cheese to a buttered baking dish. Mix ½ cup panko breadcrumbs with 1 tablespoon melted butter and sprinkle evenly over the top.
- Bake under broiler: Place the baking dish under the broiler for 2-4 minutes until the breadcrumbs are golden brown and crisp. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving. Enjoy your creamy, cheesy mac and cheese!
Notes
- For the creamiest texture, use whole milk and heavy cream as recommended.
- Broiling the breadcrumb topping adds a crispy golden finish; watch carefully as it can burn quickly.
- Substitute gluten-free pasta and gluten-free breadcrumbs to make this recipe gluten-free.
- Dijon mustard is optional but enhances the depth of flavor in the cheese sauce.
- This recipe can be easily doubled for larger gatherings.
Keywords: Mac and Cheese, Cheesy Pasta, Comfort Food, Cheddar Macaroni, Creamy Mac and Cheese
