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super cheesey cavatappi "squiggly mac & cheese"

GMarie65 avatar
a recipe by
Gina Davis
@GMarie65
Cedar Bluff, VA

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 :)

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

Ingredients For super cheesey cavatappi "squiggly mac & cheese"

  • BODY OF DISH
  • 6 c
    cavatappi or spiral pasta uncooked
  • 4 clove
    garlic
  • 4 Tbsp
    butter
  • 4 Tbsp
    a.p. flour
  • 1 Tbsp
    hot sauce (i use franks red hot)
  • 1 Tbsp
    green jalapeno sauce (i use texas pete)
  • 1/4 tsp
    cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 4 c
    whole milk (or what you use)
  • 6 c
    sharp cheddar cheese shreds
  • 1 c
    (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 c
    panko bread crumbs (i found chipotle panko and it is awesome on this for extra heat!)
  • 4 slice
    bacon cooked and coarsely chopped
  • 2 Tbsp
    butter melted
  • 2
    green onions chopped

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

  • 1
    Pre Heat Oven to 350 degree
  • 2
    Cook cavatappi according to package directions
  • 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
  • 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
  • 5
    Drain cavatappi and return to the large pan you cooked it in.
  • 6
    Pour the cheese mixture over the hot cavatappi and toss it all together
  • 7
    Transfer to a greased 13x9-in. baking dish
  • 8
    Mix panko (or reg bread crumbs) and butter together add bacon and toss it all together and sprinkle over top of cheesy cavatappi
  • 9
    Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until bubbly
  • 10
    Remove from oven and top with green onions.
  • 11
    I have to say this is the oeey goeeyest yummiest mac and cheese i make or have ever had!
  • Last Step: Don't forget to share! Make all your friends drool by posting a picture of your finished recipe on your favorite social network. And don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes so we can see it too!
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