Looking for a comforting, creamy pasta dish that everyone will love? This Tinis Mac and Cheese recipe is a simple yet delicious way to elevate your macaroni and cheese game. Whether you’re preparing a quick family dinner or hosting a potluck, this recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
When you smell melted cheese and pasta in your kitchen, it feels like home. Mac and cheese was a favorite when I was young. It brought our family together. Now, Tini’s TikTok recipe brings back those happy memories.
This dish is all about gooey cheese and al dente pasta. It’s the perfect mix of comfort and indulgence. It’s a recipe that will make your kitchen smell amazing.
Looking for a hit at your next barbecue or holiday dinner? Tini’s mac and cheese is a winner. It has over 60 million views on TikTok. It’s a favorite among home cooks for good reason. Get ready for a cheesy, satisfying treat.
Table of contents
Key Takeaways
- Tinis mac and cheese recipe has gone viral on TikTok, with over 60 million views.
- The recipe features a trifecta of cheeses: mozzarella, colby jack, and sharp cheddar.
- The dish is seasoned with a blend of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika.
- Dijon mustard is a key ingredient, adding depth of flavor to the creamy cheese sauce.
- The mac and cheese can be prepared ahead of time and baked just before serving.
What Makes Tini’s Mac and Cheese Special
Tinis mac and cheese recipe has won the hearts and taste buds of millions. It became a viral TikTok sensation, standing out as a true comfort food. It’s different from just any mac and cheese.
The Viral TikTok Sensation
Tinis mac and cheese recipe exploded online, getting over 100 million views on TikTok. Its fame grew just before Thanksgiving. People wanted to make this creamy, cheesy dish at home.
The Chef Behind the Recipe
Tini is a social media chef with over 6 million followers. She’s known for her creative and delicious recipes. Her time on Next Level Chef with Gordon Ramsay proved her culinary talent. Her mac and cheese is a must-try for anyone who loves to cook. Creamy Ricotta Cheese Sauce
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Cavatappi Pasta | 1 lb. |
| Mozzarella Cheese | 1 lb. |
| Colby Jack Cheese | 1 lb. |
| Sharp Cheddar Cheese | 8 oz. |
The secret to Tinis mac and cheese is its three-cheese blend. It includes mozzarella, Colby jack, and sharp cheddar. This mix makes a creamy, flavorful sauce that perfectly coats the cavatappi pasta.
Essential Ingredients for Tinis Mac and Cheese Recipe
To make Tinis famous TikTok mac and cheese, you need the right ingredients. The recipe uses mozzarella, Colby Jack, and sharp cheddar cheese. Each type is used in a full pound, making the cheese sauce rich and creamy.
The dish also includes garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper for extra flavor. The cheese sauce is made with butter, flour, evaporated milk, heavy cream, and Dijon mustard. This mix creates a smooth sauce that holds everything together.
The pasta of choice is cavatappi, a corkscrew-shaped pasta. It traps the cheese sauce in its grooves. This shape not only looks good but also feels great in your mouth.
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Cavatappi Pasta | 1 pound |
| Mozzarella Cheese | 16 ounces |
| Colby Jack Cheese | 16 ounces |
| Sharp Cheddar Cheese | 8 ounces |
| Garlic Powder | 1 teaspoon |
| Smoked Paprika | 1 teaspoon |
| Salt | 1 teaspoon |
| Black Pepper | 1/2 teaspoon |
| Butter | 4 tablespoons |
| All-Purpose Flour | 4 tablespoons |
| Evaporated Milk | 12 ounces |
| Heavy Cream | 1/2 cup |
| Dijon Mustard | 1 tablespoon |
For the best cheese sauce, use freshly grated cheese. Pre-shredded cheese can have additives that make it grainy. Grating the cheese yourself ensures a smooth, creamy sauce that coats the pasta perfectly.
The Perfect Cheese Blend
Creating the ultimate mac and cheese starts with the right cheese blend. Tineke “Tini” Younger’s viral TikTok recipe uses three cheeses. Each one adds a special touch to the creamy sauce.
Why Fresh-Grated Cheese Matters
Freshly grated cheese is the secret to Tinis mac and cheese. Pre-shredded cheese can be grainy and hard to melt. Grating it yourself makes the sauce smooth and creamy.
Cheese Selection Tips
Tinis recipe mixes 16 ounces of mozzarella, 16 ounces of Colby Jack, and 8 ounces of sharp cheddar. This blend of cheese creates a perfect mix of flavors. It’s what makes her mac and cheese so delicious.
Proper Ratios and Portions
You can adjust the cheese blend to fit your taste. If you want less cheese, you can cut the mozzarella by half a pound. The key is to use the right cheese selection and grate it fresh for the best mac and cheese.
| Cheese Type | Quantity | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Mozzarella | 16 ounces | Provides creaminess and melty texture |
| Colby Jack | 16 ounces | Adds a mild, slightly sweet flavor |
| Sharp Cheddar | 8 ounces | Contributes a bold, tangy note |
Choosing the Right Pasta
When making the perfect pasta for mac and cheese, the noodle shape matters a lot. Tini, a culinary genius, loves the corkscrew-shaped corkscrew pasta. He says it traps the creamy cheese sauce in every bite.
Tini’s go-to is cavatappi pasta, but other shapes work too. Elbow macaroni, mini penne, or rotini are good alternatives. But cavatappi pasta is special because it holds cheesy pockets that other shapes can’t match.
| Pasta Shape | Surface Area | Sauce Retention | Popularity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cavatappi (Corkscrew) | Higher | Excellent | 79% prefer over elbow macaroni |
| Elbow Macaroni | Lower | Good | 21% use it for mac and cheese |
Tini suggests trying cavatappi pasta for the best mac and cheese. Its design and sauce-holding abilities make it the top choice for this dish.
Creating the Perfect Cheese Sauce
At the heart of Tinis mouthwatering mac and cheese recipe lies the creation of a rich, velvety cheese sauce. This sauce is the foundation, making every bite creamy and cheesy. Let’s explore how to make this signature component step by step.
Making the Roux Base
The cheese sauce begins with a classic roux. It’s a mix of butter and flour that thickens the sauce. Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat, then whisk in the flour. Cook this mix for a couple of minutes, stirring constantly, until it’s light golden.
Adding Liquid Components
Now, add the liquid parts to the roux. Slowly pour in the evaporated milk and heavy cream, whisking all the time to avoid lumps. Let it simmer and thicken for 5-7 minutes until it’s just right.
Incorporating the Cheese
The last step is adding the shredded cheese. Stir it in slowly to keep the sauce smooth and creamy. Tini’s recipe uses cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan, but you can try different cheeses to find your favorite. Once the cheese melts and the sauce is velvety, it’s ready to go with the pasta.
Remember, making a perfect cheese sauce takes patience and gentle heat. Take your time, and you’ll get a cheese sauce that will make your Tini’s mac and cheese unforgettable.
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
Making the perfect baked mac and cheese is simpler than you think. Just follow these easy steps to make the ultimate how to make mac and cheese dish. It’s sure to wow your guests.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the 2 cups of elbow macaroni in salted boiling water until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- In a saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Whisk in 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour to create a roux.
- Gradually pour in 1 cup of heavy cream and 1 cup of milk, whisking constantly until the sauce thickens, about 5 minutes.
- Remove the pan from heat and stir in 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese and 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Season the cheese sauce with 1 teaspoon of salt and 1 teaspoon of black pepper. Add 1/2 teaspoon of paprika for an extra kick of flavor (optional).
- Combine the cooked macaroni and the cheese sauce, stirring until the pasta is evenly coated.
- Transfer the mac and cheese to a baking dish and smooth the top.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly.
- For an extra crispy topping, broil the dish for 1-2 minutes, keeping a close eye to prevent burning.
The secret to the perfect Tinis Mac and Cheese is layering. It makes delicious gooey pockets and the ultimate cheese-pull effect. Enjoy this comforting and flavorful dish as a main course or a side for your next meal!
The Layering Technique
Mastering the layering technique is key to achieving the perfect layered mac and cheese with the ultimate mac and cheese texture. This simple yet impactful method ensures pockets of melty, gooey cheese throughout the dish. It also creates a delightfully crispy cheese top when baked.
Building Flavor Layers
Start by placing half of the cooked pasta in your baking dish. Top this layer with a generous amount of the shredded cheese blend. This blend includes mozzarella, Colby Jack, and sharp cheddar. Repeat this process, adding the remaining pasta and finishing with the last layer of cheese.
This layering technique allows the flavors to meld together. It creates a truly decadent and satisfying mac and cheese.
Achieving the Perfect Texture
- The layering method prevents the pasta from becoming mushy. It ensures the cheese melts evenly throughout the dish.
- The crispy, golden-brown cheese topping adds an irresistible textural contrast. It contrasts with the creamy, indulgent interior.
- Tini’s recipe calls for a generous 2.5 pounds of cheese. This helps create the signature rich and creamy mac and cheese texture.
By following this simple layering technique, you’ll unlock the true potential of Tini’s viral TikTok mac and cheese recipe. You’ll get a dish that is both visually stunning and absolutely delicious.
Seasoning and Spice Tips
To make Tini’s mac and cheese even better, a mix of special seasonings is used. The recipe includes garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. These spices make the cheese taste richer without being too strong.
A bit of Dijon mustard is also added to the cheese sauce. It adds a slight tanginess that balances out the creaminess. The spice mix is added at different times to make sure every bite is flavorful.
By using Tini’s recommended seasonings and adjusting them to your liking, you can make a mac and cheese that’s both cozy and full of flavor. The right mix of mac and cheese seasoning and spices for mac and cheese is what makes this dish truly special.
FAQ
What makes Tini’s Mac and Cheese recipe so special?
Tini’s Mac and Cheese is a hit on TikTok with over 90M views. It combines three cheeses, spices, and corkscrew pasta. This mix creates a saucy, cheesy dish perfect for gatherings.
Who is Tini, the creator of this mac and cheese recipe?
Tini is a Social Media Chef with 6M followers. Her Mac and Cheese recipe became a hit before Thanksgiving, getting over 60 million views. She even appeared on Next Level Chef with Gordon Ramsay.
What are the key ingredients in Tini’s Mac and Cheese recipe?
The recipe calls for cavatappi pasta, mozzarella, Colby Jack, and sharp cheddar. It also includes garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, butter, flour, evaporated milk, heavy cream, and Dijon mustard.
Why is fresh-grated cheese important for this recipe?
Fresh-grated cheese is key for a smooth sauce. Pre-shredded cheese can make the sauce grainy. Using blocks of cheese from the deli ensures better texture and melting.
What is the recommended pasta shape for Tini’s Mac and Cheese?
Cavatappi pasta is best for its sauce-holding ridges and center tube. This creates cheesy pockets in every bite.
How do you make the cheese sauce for Tini’s Mac and Cheese?
The cheese sauce starts with a roux of butter and flour. Evaporated milk and heavy cream are added to make a béchamel. Then, the cheese is gradually added to create a mornay sauce. It’s important to cook the béchamel first to avoid a grainy texture.
What is the key to the layering technique in this recipe?
Layering is crucial for this recipe’s success. Half the pasta is placed in the dish, followed by cheese. This is repeated until all ingredients are used. The layering creates melty cheese pockets and a crispy top when baked. Cottage Cheese Bread Recipe
What spices and seasonings are used in Tini’s Mac and Cheese?
The recipe uses garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Dijon mustard is added to balance the richness. These seasonings enhance the cheese flavor without overpowering it.
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