Easy Macaroni and Cheese with Cavatappi Pasta
This macaroni and cheese with cavatappi pasta makes a delicious comfort food side dish to enjoy any day of the week.
Ingredients
White Sauce:
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 2 cups milk set on the counter for 5 minutes before using so it's room temperature
- 1/4 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 1/4 teaspoon salt or salt to taste
Macaroni and Cheese:
- 4 cups cooked (al-dente) Cavatappi pasta cook al-dente according to package instructions
- White Sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Equipment
- Small baking dish - 1.4 quart-size rectangular baking dish (8-inches long, 6-inches wide and 2.5-inches deep)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
White Sauce:
- Heat a medium size pot on medium heat and add butter. Stir the butter around the pot until it's melted. Add flour and stir continuously.
- When the butter and flour start to thicken (about 2 minutes), add milk and stir. Stir in garlic powder and salt.
- Remove the white sauce from the heat and set aside for a moment.
Macaroni and Cheese:
- In a small casserole dish (1.4 quart-size), add the cooked pasta. Pour the white sauce over the pasta and stir together to coat the pasta.
- Add half of the cheese to the pasta and white sauce mixture. Stir so that the cheese is mixed in with the pasta and white sauce.
- Top the pasta mixture with the remaining cheese.
Bake and Serve:
- Bake in a preheated oven (at 425 degrees F.) until the cheese melts (about 15 minutes).
- Serve warm.