Ultimate Macaroni and Cheese

Welcome to the home of the Ultimate Macaroni and Cheese! If you’re craving comfort food that’s rich, creamy, and utterly irresistible, you’ve come to the right place. Our recipe is crafted with care, using the finest ingredients to ensure every bite is a delightful experience.

Indulge in the perfect blend of Cavatappi or Elbow Pasta smothered in a velvety cheese sauce made from scratch. With a tantalizing mix of sharp cheddar, creamy cream cheese, and Monterey Jack, every forkful is a symphony of flavors.

Whether you’re hosting a family dinner, a cozy night in, or simply treating yourself to a taste of culinary bliss, our Ultimate Macaroni and Cheese is sure to satisfy even the most discerning palates.

Join us on a journey of culinary delight as we bring you the epitome of comfort food perfection. Get ready to elevate your mac and cheese game to legendary status with our recipe that’s bound to become a household favorite.

Ultimate Macaroni and Cheese

The Ultimate Macaroni and Cheese is a delectable comfort food masterpiece. This rich and creamy dish features Cavatappi or Elbow Pasta coated in a homemade cheese sauce made from sharp cheddar, cream cheese, and Monterey Jack. Seasoned with a touch of cumin, salt, and pepper, every bite is a flavor sensation. Perfect for family dinners, cozy nights in, or any occasion where comfort food is on the menu, this recipe is guaranteed to become a household favorite.

Course Main Course, Side Dish

Cuisine American

Keyword Baked, cheddar cheese, Cream Cheese, Mac&Cheese, Macaroni and Cheese, Noodles, Southern

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 25

Total Time 45

Servings 9 People

Ingredients

16 oz Cavatappi or Elbow Pasta
1 cup Pasta Water
½ cup Unsalted Butter
½ cup All-Purpose Flour
3 ½ cups Heavy Cream or Half and Half
8 oz Cream Cheese
16 oz Freshly Grated Sharp Cheddar Cheese
8 oz Monterey Jack Cheese
½ tsp Cumin
Salt and Pepper to Taste

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Cook pasta according to package instructions. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of pasta water. Drain pasta and transfer to a 9 x 13 baking dish.
In a large pot (preferably the one used for cooking pasta), melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 2-3 minutes, ensuring the roux doesn’t burn.
Gradually add heavy cream or half and half, whisking constantly. Then add the cream cheese and reduce heat to low.
Whisk in 8 oz of sharp cheddar cheese and 4 oz of Monterey Jack cheese until melted. Stir in cumin, salt, and black pepper to taste. Adjust seasoning if necessary. If the sauce is too thick, whisk in some of the reserved pasta water.
Once the sauce is flavorful, pour it over the noodles in the baking dish. Mix until the sauce evenly coats the noodles. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.
Bake on the middle rack for 25 minutes. Then switch the oven to broil and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
Allow it to rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy your delicious macaroni and cheese!