TikTok Mac n Cheese

Adapted from: Mxriyum and Moribyan

• 1 lb macaroni

• 2 oz cream cheese

• 4 cups half and half

• ¾ tsp salt

• ¼ tsp black pepper

• 1 tsp paprika (swap out half with smoked paprika if you have it!)

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 1 tsp onion powder

• ½ cup pasta water

• 8 tbsp unsalted butter

• 1 tsp minced garlic

• 1 minced shallot

• 3 tbsp all-purpose flour

• 8 oz freshly grated sharp cheddar for melting + 4 oz for layering

• 6 oz freshly grated aged white cheddar for melting + 1 oz for layering

• 8 oz freshly grated gruyere for melting

• 1 oz smoked gouda

1. In a small pot, simmer half and half, cream cheese, and spices in a pot. The goal is for this to be incorporated and warm but not boiling or too hot.

2. In a large pot, boil water for pasta.

3. Salt the water, boil to package instructions, drain, and save some water for the cheese sauce.

4. In a large pot, make your roux.

   • Melt butter and sauté shallots and garlic until shallots are translucent

   • Add in flour and cook until light golden brown

   • Add in simmering half and half mixture

   • Cook for a few mins

5. Turn flame to the lowest setting or take your pot off the heat. Stir in cheeses and pasta water.

6. Stir in macaroni.

7. In a buttered or sprayed 13x9 or casserole dish, add in half of the mac n cheese. Layer some of the remaining cheese (add more than indicated above if you'd like!)

8. Spread the remaining mac and cheese and sprinkle the rest of the layering cheese on top.

9. Bake at 350 for 10 mins and if the cheese on top is not melting and slightly golden, put it under the broiler for 1-2 mins (but don't walk away while broiling!)

• I like the macaroni from Trader Joe's since it's bigger than normal macaroni and has ridges like rigatoni. You can use any pasta shape you like though!