Spiced Nice Mac & Cheese
This is our new favorite Mac & Cheese! It was made by @spicednice on TikTok and it just blew up the internet - and for good reason! You’ll have a chance to work your arm muscles with all the cheese shredding, but you won’t mind once you taste this magnificent Mac!
INGREDIENTS
1 lb elbow pasta
7 Tbsp butter, divided
1.5 Tbsp crushed garlic
2.5 Tbsp flour
3.5 cups half and half
1/2 cup heavy cream
8 oz freshly grated Colby jack, divided\
12 oz freshly grated medium cheddar, divided
4 oz freshly grated sharp cheddar
4 oz freshly grated white cheddar
6 oz freshly grated mozzarella, divided
2.5 Tbsp cream cheese
1/2 tp garlic powder
1/2 tp onion powder
3/4 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp black pepper
Salt to taste
Chives or parsley for garnish
DIRECTIONS
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Boil the pasta until it’ lightly undercooked and then train the water out. Pour the pasta into a 9x13 inch baking tray and to in 2 Tbsp butter.
In a pan over medium/high heat, melt the remaining 5 Tbsp butter and add in the crushed garlic. Sauté for a few minutes or until fragrant. Whisk in the flour now and let this cook until it’s a pale golden color.
Whisk in the half and half and heavy cream and let the simmer over medium heat until it thickens, about 5 minutes.
Turn the heat to the lowest setting and whisk in the freshly grated cheeses roughly one handful at a time. Whisk the cheese in until fully melted, then add in another handful and do this until almost all your cheeses are used up. Set aside 1 cup of the Colby Jack, 1 cup of the medium cheddar, and 1 cup of the mozzarella for later use.
Remove the pan from the stove now and whisk in the cream cheese and all the listed spices.
Pour the sauce over the pasta and gently fold it in. Top with the remaining 3 cups of Colby Jack, medium cheddar, and mozzarella, then bake until the top I melted, about 10-15 minutes depending on your oven, then broil for about 3-5 minutes, or until it’ golden and crispy.
Only bake just until it’ melted before broiling or the cheese will overheat and become very greasy. Top with fresh herbs of your choice.