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tini's mac and cheese bake
Diana Colibri

Tini's Viral Mac and Cheese

The viral TikTok mac and cheese recipe that became a family favorite. Creamy, cheesy, and baked to golden perfection—perfect for holidays or weeknight comfort.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Servings: 12 people
Course: Appetizer, Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method Video

Ingredients
  

Cheeses
  • 1 lb mozzarella cheese
  • 1 lb Colby jack cheese
  • 8 oz sharp or extra sharp cheddar cheese
Seasoning
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp course salt
  • 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp mustard powder
Roux & Sauce
  • 3 tbsp salted butter
  • 3 tbsp all purpose flour
  • 12 oz evaporated milk (1 can)
  • 2 cups heavy cream
Pasta
  • 1 lb cavatappi (corkscrew) pasta
  • fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Equipment

  • Rotary Cheese Grater Best if you want to save time!
  • Large Pot
  • Large Skillet
  • 9x13 inch Baking Dish
  • Whisk
  • Wooden Spoon
  • Colander
  • Measuring spoons
  • Measuring Cup

Method
 

Prep Your Cheeses
  1. Start by grating all of your cheeses from the block—mozzarella, Colby Jack, and sharp cheddar. You’ll need two portions:
    Half will melt into the sauce
    Half will go on top before baking
    Grating the cheese now makes the whole cooking process smoother.
Cook the Pasta
  1. Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Add the cavatappi and cook it 1–2 minutes less than al dente (it should still have a slight bite).
    Drain the pasta and set it aside. Do not rinse.
Make the Roux
  1. In a large skillet or deep saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add half of your seasonings to the pan and mix.
    Once slightly bubbling, add the flour.
    Whisk continuously for about 1-2 minute until the mixture becomes a smooth paste and turns a golden color.
    This step removes the raw flour taste and builds the base of your sauce.
    melted butter and seasonings in pan
Build the Creamy Sauce
  1. Slowly pour in the evaporated milk while whisking to avoid lumps.
    Add the heavy cream next, continuing to whisk until everything is fully combined and the sauce starts to thicken.
    roux preparation
Melt in the Cheeses
  1. Slowly add half of each grated cheese into the pan, making sure to stir until melted each time before adding more cheese. Stir until the cheese melts completely and the sauce becomes silky and smooth.
    Season the sauce with the remaining half of the seasoning mix.
    Whisk until the sauce is smooth and lightly bubbling around the edges.
    tini's mac and cheese melted cheese
Add in the Pasta
  1. Add the cooked cavatappi directly into the skillet with the cheese sauce.
    Use a wooden spoon to gently fold the pasta in, making sure every noodle is coated.
    If the sauce looks extra thick at first, that’s okay—baking will loosen it slightly.
    tini's mac and cheese pasta
Assemble for Baking
  1. Pour half of mac and cheese into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread it out evenly. Add a layer of shredded cheese mix before adding the second half of mac and cheese.
    Top with the remaining of your shredded cheeses for that golden, bubbly finish.
    mac and cheese in baking dish
Bake
  1. Bake at 350°F for 20–25 minutes, or until the top layer is melted, lightly golden, and the edges are just bubbling.
    Avoid overbaking—this helps keep the mac extra creamy.
    tini's mac and cheese bake
Finish & Serve
  1. Remove from the oven and let it sit for 5 minutes so the sauce can settle. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if you like.
    Serve warm and enjoy the creamiest homemade mac and cheese ever.
    tini's mac and cheese

Video