super cheesey cavatappi "squiggly mac & cheese"

30 Pinches 1 Photo
Cedar Bluff, VA
Updated on Oct 17, 2015

Squiggle Cheese is what my 5 year old calls this lol This is the cheesiest mac I have made to date. Everything just blends so well and the cheese just POPS. I did make a change, I am not a fan of processed cheese foods so i changed that one ingredient to american cheese. But I have listed the directions both ways. The AM cheese just lends to the stronger cheese flavor. And in this pic I forgot to add the bacon...no prob hubby ate it all on his bowl LOL THIS RECIPE MAKES 10 + SERVINGS I HALF IT FOR DINNER TO FEED JUST MY CREW :)

prep time 25 Min
cook time 25 Min
method Bake
yield 10 - 12 (I make half dish when just for dinner)

Ingredients

  • BODY OF DISH
  • 6 cups cavatappi or spiral pasta uncooked
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 4 tablespoons a.p. flour
  • 1 tablespoon hot sauce (i use franks red hot)
  • 1 tablespoon green jalapeno sauce (i use texas pete)
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 4 cups whole milk (or what you use)
  • 6 cups sharp cheddar cheese shreds
  • 1 cup (8 0z) american cheese or velveeta (i always use 8 slices of american but you decide which you like :)
  • 4 - green onions
  • TOPPING
  • 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs (i found chipotle panko and it is awesome on this for extra heat!)
  • 4 slices bacon cooked and coarsely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons butter melted
  • 2 - green onions chopped

How To Make super cheesey cavatappi "squiggly mac & cheese"

  • Step 1
    Pre Heat Oven to 350 degree
  • Step 2
    Cook cavatappi according to package directions
  • Step 3
    While pasta is cooking, saute garlic in 4 tbs. butter for a few mins and then stir in flour, cayenne (if using) and pepper sauces until blended gradually add milk. Bring to a boil and cook and stir for 3 minutes or until thickened
  • Step 4
    Slowly stir in cheddar cheese until blended and then stir in american or velveeta (whichever you go with) until blended add green onions and stir again
  • Step 5
    Drain cavatappi and return to the large pan you cooked it in.
  • Step 6
    Pour the cheese mixture over the hot cavatappi and toss it all together
  • Step 7
    Transfer to a greased 13x9-in. baking dish
  • Step 8
    Mix panko (or reg bread crumbs) and butter together add bacon and toss it all together and sprinkle over top of cheesy cavatappi
  • Step 9
    Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until bubbly
  • Step 10
    Remove from oven and top with green onions.
  • Step 11
    I have to say this is the oeey goeeyest yummiest mac and cheese i make or have ever had!

Discover More

Category: Pasta
Category: Pasta Sides
Category: Casseroles
Keyword: #cheese
Keyword: #macaroni
Keyword: #cheesy
Keyword: #pasta
Keyword: #easy mac
Ingredient: Pasta
Method: Bake
Culture: American

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