super cheesey cavatappi "squiggly mac & cheese"
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 1Pre Heat Oven to 350 degree
-
Step 2Cook cavatappi according to package directions
-
Step 3While 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 4Slowly 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 5Drain cavatappi and return to the large pan you cooked it in.
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Step 6Pour the cheese mixture over the hot cavatappi and toss it all together
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Step 7Transfer to a greased 13x9-in. baking dish
-
Step 8Mix panko (or reg bread crumbs) and butter together add bacon and toss it all together and sprinkle over top of cheesy cavatappi
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Step 9Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until bubbly
-
Step 10Remove from oven and top with green onions.
-
Step 11I 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! Post a picture of your finished recipe here and on your favorite social network. Don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes!
Discover More
Category:
Pasta
Category:
Pasta Sides
Category:
Casseroles
Tag:
#For Kids
Keyword:
#cheese
Keyword:
#macaroni
Keyword:
#cheesy
Keyword:
#mac and cheese
Keyword:
#cheese pasta
Keyword:
#pasta
Keyword:
#easy mac
Keyword:
#cheddar comfort food
Ingredient:
Pasta
Method:
Bake
Culture:
American
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