This baked mac and cheese recipe went viral all over TikTok. Its extra cheesy, rich and creamy.
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Viral TikTok Mac and Cheese Recipe
Why did this recipe go viral? Pasta recipes are so popular on TikTok, Instagram, and Youtube. Homemade macaroni and cheese is just crowd pleasing comfort food.
What makes this extra special is adding chicken or vegetable broth when cooking the macaroni, adding a creamy four cheese sauce with cream cheese or mascarpone then baked to perfection. No roux. The best holiday side dish.
What’s not to love? So cheesy and delicious family and friends will be asking for this side dish at every get together.
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Ingredients and Substitutions
Noodles- Using the traditional elbow macaroni is the most popular way. Substitute with any small-shaped tubular pasta, shells, or spirals.
Broth - Chicken or vegetable flavored. I used bouillon cubes but canned, boxed, or concentrate would be great substitutes.
Butter - Unsalted is preferred to control the salt content.
Milk - Evaporated and heavy cream. Substitute half and half in a pinch.
Cheese - Use your favorite combination, options include cheddar cheese, Colby jack, American and mozzarella. Cream cheese or mascarpone.
Cheese Options
Using a combination of cheese is the secret to amazing sauce. No fancy cheeses in this recipe, options include American, yellow or white cheddar, Velveeta, mozzarella, colby, and pepper jack. Grating your own cheese is best, but pre-shredded can be used in a pinch.
Southern Style Macaroni and Cheese
If you are wanting a southern style Mac and Cheese with extra flavor add dried spices to the cheese sauce.
Spice options are garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, white pepper, mustard powder, and for a bit of heat cajun seasoning. Yum.
Tips and Suggestions
Don’t skimp on the cheese, you’ll want to see that oh so cheesy flavor and stretch with the mozzarella.
For the best results use block cheeses and not pre-shredded. It tastes and melts better.
Don’t overcook your elbow noodles. Stick to the package directions for al dente or minus a couple of minutes, it will continue cooking a bit more in the oven.
Add extra cheese and a light sprinkle of sweet paprika when topping the mac and cheese, if you want an extra golden brown cheesy top.
How To Serve
This baked macaroni and cheese is best served extra warm and taken straight to the holiday dinner table. The best side dish to accompany any meat proteins like roasted turkey, chicken, beef, or ham.
Also great for a macaroni and cheese bar with amazing toppings like bacon, sausage, jalapeños, red onions, fried onions, herbs, peas, broccoli, tomato, mushrooms, salsa, sour cream, hot sauce, and extra cheese. Yum.
Leftovers and Storage
If there are any leftovers, they can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days and it can easily be reheated in the microwave or oven.
Step By Step Photos and Directions
- Cook elbow macaroni with chicken bouillon or broth. Follow package directions to al dente texture or minus a couple of minutes. Strain liquid and do not rinse with water.
2. Add macaroni to a large bowl and mix in melted butter. Set aside.
3. Grab prepped ingredients to make the cheese sauce. Evaporated milk, cubed cream cheese or mascarpone, heavy cream, and shredded cheeses.
4. Mix together shredded mozzarella cheese and half of the yellow cheddar cheese. Set aside for layering.
5. In a large pot or saucepan on medium heat add the evaporated milk and mascarpone or cream cheese cubed up, and mix with a whisk. Add spices and seasoning, if preferred.
6. Sprinkle in the remaining cheeses little at time, making sure it has fully melted after each addition. Mix until nice and smooth. Add in heavy cream.
7. Add cheese sauce to cooked macaroni noodles and mix well. Set oven temperature to 350F degrees.
8. Add half of the creamy macaroni and cheese mixture to the bottom of a baking dish. Spread evenly.
9. Top with half of the mozzarella and cheddar cheese mixture. Then add the remaining creamy macaroni and cheese mixture.
11. Add the remaining half of the shredded cheese mixture and place in the oven.
12. Bake uncovered for 15 minutes. Then broil until golden brown, let cool for 10 minutes. Enjoy.
Baked Mac and Cheese
Equipment
- Heavy Bottom Pot or Large Saucepan
- Strainer or Sieve
- 9x13 Baking Dish
- Spoon or Rubber Spatula
- Hand Grater or Food Processor
- Large Bowl
- Balloon Whisk
Ingredients
- 12 oz Elbow Macaroni Noodles, dry
- 2 Cubes Chicken or Vegetable Bouillon or 2 Cups of Chicken or Vegetable Broth
- 2 tbs Unsalted Butter (Melted)
- 24 oz Cheese Mix - Mozzarella, American, Cheddar and Colby Jack, shredded or sliced or more if you like extra cheesy
- 1 12oz Can of Evaporated Milk
- 1 Cup Heavy Cream
- 8oz Mascarpone or Cream Cheese, cubed Softened
- Water for Boiling
- Seasoning and Spices (optional) Paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, white pepper.
Instructions
Cook Elbow Macaroni Noodles
- Bring water to a boil with bouillon cubes or broth. Add noodles and cook to package directions al dente or minus a couple of minutes.
- Drain flavorful water and noodles through a sieve. Do not rinse noodles with water.
- Place noodles into a large bowl and mix in the unsalted melted butter and set aside.
Mix Cheese Sauce
- Mix the shredded mozzarella cheese and the other ½ of the yellow cheddar cheese together.
- In a large pot or saucepan on medium heat add the evaporated milk and mascarpone or cream cheese cubed up, and mix with a whisk. Add spices and seasoning, if preferred.
- Sprinkle in the remaining cheeses little at time, making sure it has fully melted after each addition. Mix until nice and smooth. Add in heavy cream.
- Add the cheese sauce to the bowl with the macaroni and mix well.
Assembly and Baking
- Set oven temperature to 350F degrees.
- To a 9x13 baking dish add ½ of the Mac and cheese mixture. Top with ½ of the mozzarella and yellow cheddar mixture.
- Layer on the other half of the Mac and cheese mixture evenly and top with the remaining shredded cheese mixture.
- Bake uncovered for 15 minutes. Then broil until golden brown. Let cool for 10-15 minutes and Enjoy.
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