Creamy Classic Mac and Cheese
Serves 2 | with Crunchy Panko Topper- Wheat
- Milk
- Tree nuts
- Milk
- Mustard
- Peanuts
- Sesame
- Soy
- Sulphites
- May contain traces of allergens
Easy and cheesy, what's not to love? This diner classic is smothered in a rich creamy sauce and topped with a hefty panko topping that's crispy, buttery and oh so delicious. Ingredients: 2% Milk (partly skimmed milk, vitamin A palmitate, vitamin D3) (milk) • Cavatappi (durum wheat semolina, niacin, ferrous sulphate, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid) (wheat) • Monterey Jack cheese (pasteurized milk, modified milk ingredients, cream, salt, microbial enzymes, bacterial culture, calcium chloride, cellulose, natamycin) (milk) • White cheddar cheese (pasteurized milk, modified milk ingredients, cream, salt, calcium chloride, bacterial culture, microbial enzyme, microbial rennet, cellulose, natamycin) (milk) • Panko breadcrumbs (bleached wheat flour, yeast, sugar, salt) (wheat) • Cream sauce spice blend (wheat flour, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, canola oil, silicon dioxide) (wheat) • All-purpose flour (wheat) • Chives • Garlic powder.
Ingredients
170 g
Cavatappi
(Contains: Wheat)
½ cup
Panko Breadcrumbs
(Contains: Wheat)
1 tsp
Garlic Powder
1 tbsp
Cream Sauce Spice Blend
(Contains: Wheat May be present: Tree nuts, Milk, Mustard, Peanuts, Sesame, Soy, Sulphites)
237 mL
Milk
(Contains: Milk)
1 cup
Monterey Jack Cheese, shredded
(Contains: Milk)
1 cup
White Cheddar Cheese, shredded
(Contains: Milk)
1 tbsp
All-Purpose Flour
(Contains: Wheat)
7 g
Chives
Not included in your delivery
4 tbsp
Butter*
¼ tsp
Pepper*
¼ tsp
Salt*
Nutrition Values
Utensils
Cooking Steps
Before starting, preheat the oven to broil.Add 10 cups hot water and 2 tsp salt to a large pot. Cover and bring to a boil over high heat.Gather all required tools. Add cavatappi to the boiling water. Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, until tender, 8-9 min.Reserve 2 tbsp pasta water, then drain and return cavatappi to the same pot, off heat. Melt 2 tbsp butter in a small microwave-safe bowl. Add panko, season with pepper, then stir to combine.
Meanwhile, heat a large oven-proof pan over medium heat. When hot, add 2 tbsp butter, then swirl until melted. Sprinkle flour and cream sauce spice blend over top. Cook, stirring often, until toasted, 1 min.Slowly whisk in milk to the pan with butter and flour. Whisk in garlic powder. Cook, whisking often, until sauce thickens slightly, 1-2 min.Slowly whisk in Monterey Jack and half the white cheddar stirring constantly, until combined, 1 min. Season with salt and pepper.Remove pan from the heat, set aside.
Add reserved pasta water and cavatappi to the pan with cheese sauce. (NOTE: If you don't have an oven-proof pan, transfer mac and cheese to a 8x8-inch baking dish.)Sprinkle remaining white cheddar and panko mixture over top. Bake in the top of the oven until panko mixture is golden-brown, 2-3 min. (NOTE: Keep an eye on mac and cheese so it doesn't burn!)
Thinly slice chives.Sprinkle chives over mac and cheese.Divide between plates or bowls.
Customer reviews
Review summary
Updated on Feb 2026- Flavor: Many enjoyed the creamy, comforting taste, though some found it a bit bland and suggested adding extra cheese or spices for more flavor.
- Ease of prep: While most found it quick and easy to make, a few mentioned it wasn't as simple as expected or required more cleanup than anticipated.
- Suggestions: Consider adding bacon, chicken, or jalapeños for extra flavor; some recommend mixing parmesan cheese into the panko topping for added crunch.
- Portions: The recipe makes a generous amount, with several noting it's more than two servings; leftovers were popular with some families.
