TikTok Smoked Mac and Cheese

Yield: 8 Servings

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients

1/2 lb. each for cheddar, colby jack, smoked gouda, mozzarella, and gruyere cheese, in cheese block

6 cups large elbow pasta

1 stick of butter

3 tbsp flour

1/2 tbsp onion powder

1/2 tbsp garlic powder

1/2 tbsp smoked paprika

2 tsp salt

3 cups heavy cream

2 tbsp cream cheese

Ground pepper

How to Make It

1. Shred all five cheeses and split into 2 even piles.
2. Boil water with salt in a large pot and add elbow pasta. Cook following instructions on the box. Drain and set aside.
3. Melt butter over low heat in a large saucepan and add flour to make a roux. Cook until slight thickening. Add spice mix (onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, and salt), stir until combined, and add heavy cream. Once thick, lower the heat to prevent the sauce from breaking and add one of the cheese piles (half of the cheese). Once melted, add cream cheese and fresh ground pepper, mix, and add the cooked elbows.
4. Pour half of the pasta mixture into a large baking dish. Add half of the remaining cheese pile (one-quarter of the total cheese), pour the rest of the pasta mixture into the dish, and top with remaining cheese.
5. Bake at 350°F for 25 minutes until cheese is crispy and melted.