Description
This White Mac and Cheese features creamy, rich flavors with a golden, buttery topping. Perfect for a quick dinner or festive gatherings, this dish fills you with warmth and joy while being easy to prepare.
Ingredients
Scale
- 16 ounces cavatappi pasta
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups half and half
- 1 cup evaporated milk
- 3 cups white cheddar cheese (shredded)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup Ritz crackers (crushed, about 20 crackers)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and prepare a 9 x 13 baking dish with cooking spray.
- Cook cavatappi pasta in salted water until al dente, drain, and set aside.
- In a saucepan, melt butter and whisk in flour. Gradually add half and half and evaporated milk, stirring until thickened.
- Stir in garlic powder, salt, and black pepper, then fold in shredded white cheddar until melted and creamy.
- Combine the cheese sauce with the cooked pasta, then transfer to the prepared baking dish.
- Mix crushed Ritz crackers with melted butter and sprinkle over the pasta. Bake for 15 minutes until bubbly and golden.
Notes
Use dairy-free butter to make this recipe vegan.
Feel free to experiment with different cheeses for a unique flavor profile.
You can prepare this dish ahead of time and refrigerate before baking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 80mg