Description
Mac and cheese magic takes center stage with this viral TikTok sensation that promises creamy, irresistible comfort. Cheese lovers will swoon over this simple yet indulgent dish that brings quick delight to dinner tables across the nation.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Cheese Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Pasta and Liquid Ingredients:
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 2 cups whole milk (or substitute with heavy cream for extra creaminess)
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
Seasoning and Optional Ingredients:
- Salt (to taste)
- Pepper (to taste)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder (optional, for added flavor)
- ½ teaspoon mustard powder (optional, for a hint of tang)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Immerse macaroni in rapidly boiling, salted water until perfectly tender with a slight resistance at its core, ensuring precise cooking time to maintain ideal pasta texture.
- Create a silky foundation by gently melting butter in a spacious saucepan, gradually incorporating flour to construct a smooth, golden roux that serves as the sauce’s fundamental base.
- Gradually stream milk into the roux, whisking persistently to eliminate potential lumps, allowing the mixture to transform into a luxuriously thickened, velvety consistency.
- Introduce a trio of cheeses – sharp cheddar, mozzarella, and parmesan – allowing them to melt seamlessly into the developing sauce, creating a rich, complex flavor profile.
- Fold in sour cream to elevate the sauce’s decadence, seasoning with garlic powder, salt, and freshly cracked pepper to enhance the overall taste dimensions.
- Carefully transfer drained pasta into the molten cheese sauce, ensuring each noodle becomes completely enrobed in the creamy, indulgent mixture.
- For those desiring textural contrast, generously scatter breadcrumbs across the surface, then briefly broil until achieving a golden, crisp topping that adds delightful crunch to the creamy foundation.
Notes
- Customize the cheese blend by experimenting with different varieties like gouda, fontina, or gruyere for unique flavor profiles.
- Enhance protein content by stirring in cooked chicken, bacon bits, or crispy pancetta before serving.
- Create a gluten-free version by substituting regular pasta with chickpea or cauliflower pasta and using gluten-free flour for the roux.
- Add extra depth with optional mix-ins like roasted garlic, caramelized onions, or diced jalapeños for a spicy kick.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 58 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg