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Get ready to upgrade your mac and cheese game with this trending TikTok mac and cheese recipe that skips the pasta boiling step. This genius hack promises a super cheesy and creamy dish ready in just 50 minutes.

viral tiktok mac and cheese recipe

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What if I told you that you’ve been making macaroni and cheese wrong? 

There is no mac n cheese law that everyone must follow, but there’s a viral hack that can give you a super cheesy and creamy mac and cheese with way less effort.

The viral mac and cheese recipe from TikTok does not boil the pasta. And if you’re intrigued, then keep on reading!

What Is The Viral TikTok Mac and Cheese Recipe?

The viral TikTok mac and cheese recipe quickly became popular because it bypasses a step when making homemade mac and cheese.

Aren’t we all taught to boil the pasta before baking it with the cheese sauce?

Well, according to TikTok, you don’t have to boil the pasta and make the cheese sauce separately. Instead, you’ll put everything in one baking dish and let the oven do the work. 

The main gist for those who don’t want to watch the viral video is to just put the cheese block, dry macaroni noodles, heavy cream, water, milk, salt, and pepper in a baking dish. Then, just pop them in the oven and stir after baking. 

This means fewer dishes to wash, and you can enjoy creamy and cheesy mac and cheese in only 50 minutes! 

Admittedly, I was skeptical about doing the viral recipe because the last thing I want is undercooked and gritty mac and cheese. I also don’t want to waste the ingredients, and seeing the whole block of cheese in the center does not seem appealing. 

However, it does work, and the result is absolutely delicious! 

What Is The Viral TikTok Mac and Cheese Recipe

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Do you need more convincing? Here are what to expect if you try the viral TikTok mac and cheese recipe now!

  • Easy: You’re saving time with TikTok mac and cheese because you’re not boiling the pasta and cooking the cheese sauce on the stove before baking. This also means fewer dishes to wash and easier preparation since everything is done in the oven.
  • Delicious: You’ll get creamy and cheesy mac and cheese stress-free with the viral TikTok hack! Gone are the days when you’re stressing about not overboiling the macaroni or making sure the cheese sauce is not gritty.
  • Versatile: The TikTok mac n cheese recipe is versatile and customizable to your taste buds’ content. You can make it a bit spicy, add a crunchy topping, or use milder cheese for the sauce.

What Does Mac and Cheese Taste Like?

The viral TikTok baked mac and cheese tastes like the comfort food we have loved since childhood: creamy, rich, and cheesy. But since the raw pasta is cooked with heavy cream, butter, and cheese in the oven, you’ll get the best texture that’s not soggy or undercooked.

The creamy pasta sauce for this TikTok mac n cheese recipe also uses the classic combination of American cheese, heavy cream, butter, salt, and pepper.

Then, we’ll add the shredded sharp cheddar cheese after baking. This is a key step for a smooth and creamy homemade mac and cheese without any artificial cheese flavor needed!

You can use any cheese combination you like, but American cheese and sharp cheddar create a silky and thick sauce even though you didn’t add a roux.

The rich, creamy, salty, and slightly tangy sauce will surely make you addicted to the viral TikTok mac and cheese.

What Does Mac and Cheese Taste Like

Is The TikTok Mac and Cheese Recipe Healthy?

Is the viral TikTok mac and cheese recipe healthy? The TikTok mac and cheese hack uses traditional baked mac and cheese ingredients, so it’s still high in calories.

But do we eat mac and cheese for health reasons? Since childhood, mac and cheese have been a classic comfort food that instantly reminds me of home. 

The pasta is filling, and the indulgent cheese sauce is rewarding.

That being said, it’s best to enjoy the TikTok mac n cheese, like any other mac n cheese recipe, in moderation.

Trust me, as someone who used to overindulge in them almost daily in college, mac and cheese is just more satisfying if eaten occasionally. 

What Are The Benefits Of TikTok Mac and Cheese?

The TikTok mac and cheese hack is a trend worth trying because it’s easy, only uses simple ingredients, and still results in perfectly creamy mac and cheese. 

Say goodbye to having soggy or undercooked macaroni or getting stressed from making a cheese sauce because it’s not turning silky and creamy.

Who wouldn’t want a delicious, comforting mac and cheese in under an hour? You’ll do everything in a single baking dish, and the oven will do the rest for you!

What Are The Benefits Of TikTok Mac and Cheese

Ingredients For This Mac And Cheese Recipe

  • Elbow macaroni pasta – The shape of elbow macaroni is perfect for soaking the creamy and cheesy sauce. You can also use any tube-shaped pasta, whichever is available.
  • American cheese – You can use any type of cheese. But if you’re not using American cheese on your mac and cheese, you’re missing out on a silky, creamy, and deliciously salty sauce full of cheesy goodness!
  • Heavy cream – The heavy cream adds richness and creaminess to the recipe. You can also add more if the macaroni comes out undercooked after baking for 45 minutes.
  • Water – The water balances the creaminess and saltiness of the mac and cheese sauce.
  • Butter – You don’t need to melt butter with the TikTok mac and cheese hack. Instead, you’ll add the tablespoons of butter to the four corners of the baking dish before putting it in the oven!
  • Salt – Season the mac and cheese with salt as needed.
  • Ground black pepper – Adds the perfect sharp taste to the creamy and rich TikTok mac and cheese recipe.
  • Shredded sharp cheddar cheese – Remember to add the sharp cheddar cheese after baking. If you don’t, and speaking from experience, the sauce will turn gritty, which I discovered is because of the heated emulsifiers in the cheddar.

Tools Needed To Prepare This TikTok Mac And Cheese

  • Baking dish for cooking everything in the TikTok baked mac and cheese recipe
  • Aluminum foil for covering the baking dish and ensuring that the mac n cheese is evenly baked
  • Oven mitts for taking out the baking dish and removing the foil

Ingredient Additions & Substitutions For Mac and Cheese

Heavy cream

You can substitute heavy cream with half and half. You can also add half and half to the baking dish if the macaroni comes out undercooked after baking for 45 minutes.

Panko bread crumbs

I hate to sound like a nerd, but according to science, texture plays a role in satiety or our overall satisfaction with food.

This is why adding a crunchy topping made from Panko bread crumbs and melted butter to this soft, creamy mac n cheese instantly takes it to the next level.

Red pepper flakes

The bold flavor of the American cheese and sharp cheddar cheese in this viral TikTok mac and cheese recipe pairs deliciously with something hot. Add some kick to the rich and creamy cheese sauce with a surprise ingredient: red pepper flakes.

Are you also looking for an alternative to butter? Find out the best substitute for butter in mac and cheese without ruining the taste and texture of the dish!

How to Make The TikTok Mac And Cheese Recipe

Ingredients:

Tools you need:

Instructions:

STEP 1: Gather all the ingredients for the viral TikTok mac and cheese.

step 1 tiktok mac and cheese recipe

STEP 2: Preheat the oven to 375°F.

STEP 3: Place the block of cheese in the middle of the baking dish and pour the pasta around it. Make sure the elbow pasta is evenly distributed around the cheese.

step 3a tiktok mac and cheese recipe
step 3b tiktok mac and cheese recipe

STEP 4: Cover the elbow pasta with heavy cream.

step 4 tiktok mac and cheese recipe

STEP 5: Add the water, salt, and pepper. Distribute a tablespoon of butter to each corner of the baking dish.

step 5 tiktok mac and cheese recipe

STEP 6: Cover the baking dish with tin foil and bake for 45 minutes.

step 6 tiktok mac and cheese recipe

STEP 7: Wear oven mitts and remove the aluminum foil.

step 7 tiktok mac and cheese recipe

STEP 8: Add half of the shredded cheddar cheese and stir the baked macaroni. Add the remaining shredded cheese and continue mixing until the cheese melts and everything is incorporated.

step 8a tiktok mac and cheese recipe
step 8b tiktok mac and cheese recipe

What To Serve With Mac and Cheese

Serve this recipe with classic mac and cheese pairings like slices of bacon, crunchy bread, or barbecue ribs. 

Mac and cheese are rich and tasty, so the best side dishes should not be overwhelming. To cut the richness, you can also enjoy something sweet after the salty and creamy main dish.

What To Serve With Mac and Cheese

While you’re whipping up the viral TikTok mac and cheese recipe, why not push the boundaries even further and try a unique dessert that you probably haven’t tasted before?

Here are some bacon (yes, bacon!) desserts that would be perfect after a warm bowl of rich and creamy mac and cheese:

Try these Smoked Baby Back Ribs if you’re in the mood for something smoky, tender, and quintessentially Southern. Don’t forget to top-off this recipe with our Bacon Cupcakes.😉

Tips About Making The TikTok Mac And Cheese Recipe

The TikTok mac and cheese hack is a genius way to make mac and cheese at home. But if you’re worried about getting undercooked macaroni and gritty cheese sauce, remember these tips:

  • You may extend your baking time, depending on the type of pasta and oven you’re using. Start with 45 minutes, then adjust as needed.
  • If the pasta is undercooked after baking for 45 minutes, add more liquid to the recipe, cover the baking dish, and bake for 15 more minutes. You can use half and half or heavy cream.
  • .Always add the shredded cheddar cheese after baking the mac and cheese. If you bake it with the rest of the ingredients, the heated emulsifiers or coagulants in the cheddar will make the sauce gritty.

How To Store TikTok Mac And Cheese

You can store your leftover TikTok mac and cheese in the fridge or freezer. The storage tips below are also helpful if you want to make the dish ahead of time:

  • Fridge: Allow your mac and cheese to cool, then transfer it into an airtight container. I recommend eating it within four days for the best quality, but this is just a side comment because it’s always the first leftover to be gone in my fridge!
  • Freezer: Transfer the cooled mac and cheese into an airtight container and freeze it for more extended storage. This is great for making foods ahead of time, but frozen mac and cheese is eaten best within two months.
  • Reheating: I like to thaw the frozen mac and cheese overnight. Then, reheat on the stovetop over low heat and add milk to revive the dried sauce.
How To Store TikTok Mac And Cheese

Why Is My Mac And Cheese Grainy?

The culprit behind grainy mac and cheese is the emulsifiers and coagulants in the cheese. They create a gritty texture on the sauce when exposed to high heat, especially for a long time.

How do I fix grainy mac and cheese? Just add milk or water gradually until the lumpy sauce becomes silkier.

What Cheese Makes The Best Mac And Cheese?

Cheddar cheese makes the best mac and cheese because it gives the bold and slightly tangy flavor we love in a classic mac and cheese. It melts beautifully and will create the perfect cheese blend with Monterey Jack and other favorites for mac and cheese.

What Milk Is Best For Mac And Cheese?

Whole milk is best for mac and cheese because its fat content makes a rich and creamy sauce. But if you want the tastiest options, you can try these substitutes for milk in mac and cheese!

FAQ About Mac and Cheese

What pasta is best for mac & cheese?

Macaroni is the best pasta for mac and cheese, but any tubular pasta that will soak up the delicious cheese sauce will also work.

How do I keep my mac and cheese creamy?

Using whole milk ensures a creamy mac and cheese. Cooking the pasta directly with the heavy whipping cream, like in this viral TikTok mac and cheese recipe, also creates a creamy mac and cheese compared to boiling the pasta in the water first.

How can I make mac and cheese taste better?

Different cheese combinations, herbs, and spices make your mac and cheese taste better. You can also make a breadcrumb crust for a crispy contrast against the creamy pasta dish.

tiktok mac and cheese recipe

TikTok Mac and Cheese Recipe

Yield: 6
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes

Get ready to upgrade your mac and cheese game with this trending TikTok mac and cheese recipe that skips the pasta boiling step. This genius hack promises a super cheesy and creamy dish ready in just 50 minutes.

Instructions

  1. Gather all the ingredients for the viral TikTok mac and cheese.
  2. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
  3. Place the block of cheese in the middle of the baking dish and pour the pasta around it. Make sure the elbow pasta is evenly distributed around the cheese.
  4. Cover the elbow pasta with heavy cream.
  5. Add the water, salt, and pepper. Distribute a tablespoon of butter to each corner of the baking dish.
  6. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes.
  7. Wear oven mitts and remove the aluminum foil.
  8. Add half of the shredded cheddar cheese and stir. Add the remaining shredded cheese and continue mixing until the cheese melts and everything is incorporated.

Notes

  • The oven and type of pasta may affect the baking time from 45 to 60 minutes.
  • If you removed the foil and the pasta is still not soft, you can add ½ to 1 cup of heavy cream. Then, cover the baking dish again and bake for 15 minutes.
  • The shredded cheddar cheese is added at the end because the residual heat after baking the pasta is enough to melt it. Adding the cheddar cheese before baking can also produce a grainy texture in the mac and cheese because the cheese gets too hot.

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 274Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 37mgSodium: 244mgCarbohydrates: 24gFiber: 1gSugar: 1gProtein: 14g

* Please note that all nutrition information are just estimates. Values will vary among brands, so we encourage you to calculate these on your own for the most accurate results.

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Conclusion

Coming from one mac n cheese lover to another, the viral TikTok mac and cheese recipe is a genius trend you shouldn’t miss. 

It does not boil the pasta, but instead, you’ll bake the dry pasta with real cheese, heavy cream, water, butter, and seasonings in a single pan.

TikTok Mac And Cheese

Then, add the shredded cheddar and mix for the perfectly creamy mac and cheese that’s not gritty or overcooked!

You don’t need to cook the sauce and pasta separately, so there are fewer dishes to wash afterward.

Isn’t this the perfect mac and cheese hack? Thanks, TikTok!

And if you loved this recipe, here are some other delicious meals with simple steps that anyone can do at home:

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