Triple Cheese Cavatappi Bake
Ingredients
- 12 oz Cavatappi pasta
- 2 cups Colby Jack cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded
- 4 tbsp Butter
- 1 tsp Paprika
- 1 tsp Garlic powder
- 1 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Pepper
- 1/4 cup All-purpose Flour
- 1 cup Evaporated milk
- 1 cup Heavy cream
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
Instructions
1. Prepare the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the Cavatappi pasta and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
2. Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
3. Make the Cheese Sauce
In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the flour, stirring constantly for about 2 minutes until it forms a smooth paste (roux).
4. Add Liquid Ingredients
Gradually whisk in the evaporated milk and heavy cream; continue whisking until the mixture is smooth and starts to thicken, about 3-4 minutes.
5. Incorporate Seasonings & Cheeses
Stir in the Dijon mustard, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Gradually add the Colby Jack, Mozzarella, and Cheddar cheeses, stirring until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth.
6. Combine Pasta and Sauce
Add the cooked Cavatappi pasta to the cheese sauce. Stir to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce.
7. Bake the Pasta
Transfer the pasta and cheese mixture to a 9x13-inch baking dish. Spread it out evenly and top with a sprinkle of extra cheese if desired.
8. Final Baking Stage
Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbling.
9. Rest and Serve
Let the dish rest for about 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy the creamy, cheesy goodness!
Preparation & Cooking Times
- Preparation Time: PT15M
15 minutes
- Cooking Time: PT40M
40 minutes
Total Time
- PT55M
55 minutes
Type of Dish
- Dinner
Keywords
- Cavatappi pasta
- Cheese bake
- Triple cheese
- Comfort food
- Pasta dinner
- Baked pasta
- Easy dinner
- Homemade mac and cheese
- Creamy pasta
- Cheesy casserole
Recipe Yield
- Feeds 4 adults
Calories
- Total Calories: 3200
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