Baked Mac and Cheese

• servings: 12 servings
• active time: 15 minutes
• total time: 55 minutes

Ingredients

1 pound mozzarella cheese (Get a block from the deli; it's harder, cheaper, and easier to shred than the softer packaged balls.)

1 pound Colby Jack cheese

8 ounces sharp cheddar (yellow preferred)

1 pound cavatappi pasta

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon smoked paprika

1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon coarse salt

½ teaspoon ground black pepper

3 tablespoons salted butter

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1 (12 oz.) can evaporated milk

2 cups heavy cream

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

fresh chopped parsley (for garnish)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

Shred the blocks of cheese: 1 pound mozzarella cheese, 1 pound Colby Jack cheese, and 8 ounces sharp cheddar into a large mixing bowl, then toss together and transfer half to a separate bowl.

Cook 1 pound cavatappi pasta in salted water according to package directions for al dente. Drain and set aside.

While the pasta is cooking, combine 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon coarse salt, and ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, ground nutmeg in a small prep bowl and set aside.

Melt 3 tablespoons salted butter in a skillet, then add half the seasoning mix and stir.

Add 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour and immediately whisk and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, the butter/flour mixture should be bubbling.

Add the 1 (12 oz.) can evaporated milk and whisk constantly. Once it begins to thicken and bubble in the middle of the pan, add 2 cups heavy cream, the remaining half of the seasoning, and 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard and whisk until thickened.

Add half of the shredded cheese mixture to the skillet a handful at a time and stir until completely melted and thick.

Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and stir to coat.

Transfer half the pasta mixture to a 9x13-inch baking pan and layer with a third of the remaining cheese. Add the rest of the mac and cheese on top then finish with the rest of the cheese.

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, then broil for 1 to 2 minutes to give the mac and cheese a nice bubbly, golden brown top.

Garnish with fresh chopped parsley.

Nutrition

• Calories: 649 kcal
• Total Fat: 45 g
• Saturated Fat: 27 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0.1 g
• Cholesterol: 137 mg
• Sodium: 832 mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 33 g
• Dietary Fiber: 1 g
• Total Sugars: 3 g
• Protein: 28 g