If you’ve been on TikTok lately, chances are you’ve seen Tini’s Mac and Cheese taking over your feed. This isn’t just another mac and cheese recipe—it’s a culinary phenomenon that has garnered over 90 million views, making it one of the most viral food recipes on the platform. What makes this dish so special? It’s a perfect combination of three cheeses, flavorful spices, and cavatappi pasta, all layered together using a unique technique that creates the most incredible cheese pull you’ve ever seen.
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What Is Tini’s Mac and Cheese?
Created by Chef Tini, a social media sensation with more than 6 million followers, this mac and cheese recipe has been crowned by many as the ultimate comfort food. With its vibrant yellow color, incredibly creamy texture, and rich carb-loaded goodness, it’s no wonder people can’t stop talking about it.
What sets this recipe apart is its « super saucy » nature and the brilliant layering technique that ensures every bite is packed with gooey, melted cheese. It’s the kind of dish that’s perfect for game days, barbecues, potlucks, or even just a cozy weeknight dinner when you’re craving something indulgent.
Ithan’s Honest Review of Tini’s Mac and Cheese
After trying this recipe several times, I can confidently say it lives up to the hype—with a few personal adjustments. The flavor profile is intensely cheesy yet balanced by the perfect blend of spices. The texture hits that sweet spot between creamy and gooey, with tender pasta and a beautifully golden-brown top.
On a difficulty scale, I’d rate it a 5/10. While the recipe is straightforward, there are a few labor-intensive aspects to consider:
- Hand-grating the cheese takes time (though using a rotary grater can speed this up significantly)
- It requires three cooking methods: boiling pasta, making sauce on the stovetop, and baking/broiling
- It uses quite a few dishes, so be prepared for some cleanup
The biggest advantage of this recipe is using freshly grated cheese, which creates an extraordinarily smooth and creamy sauce. The main drawback is the time spent grating, but the results are absolutely worth it.
Would I make it again? Without hesitation. However, after multiple tests, I’ve found that reducing the mozzarella slightly creates an even better balance.
Ingredients for the best Tini’s Mac and Cheese
Cheese Trio
- 1 pound mozzarella cheese (block, not pre-shredded)
- Pound Colby Jack cheese
- 1 pound sharp cheddar cheese
Note: I highly recommend reducing the mozzarella to 1/2 or 3/4 pound based on my experience and reader feedback. The original recipe uses A LOT of cheese!
Pasta
- 1 pound cavatappi pasta (the ridges and curves help capture more sauce)
Flavorings and Sauce Base
- 2 tablespoons garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 6 tablespoons salted butter
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cans (12 oz each) evaporated milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard (or 2 teaspoons mustard powder)
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Pro tip: Always use freshly grated cheese. Pre-shredded varieties contain anti-caking agents that prevent proper melting. For the mozzarella, buy a block from the deli section—it’s usually cheaper and easier to grate than the fresh mozzarella in the specialty cheese section.
How to Make Tini’s Viral Mac and Cheese
Preparation
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
Grate and Prep Cheese
- Grate all three cheeses using a box grater or rotary grater.
- In a large bowl, combine all grated cheeses and mix well.
- Set aside approximately 2 cups of the cheese mixture for layering later.
Cook Pasta
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add 1 teaspoon salt.
- Add cavatappi pasta and cook until al dente (firm to the bite), about 7-8 minutes or according to package directions.
- Drain pasta but do not rinse. Set aside.
Make Cheese Sauce
- In a large, heavy-bottomed pot, melt butter over medium heat.
- Add half of the seasonings (1 tablespoon garlic powder, 1 tablespoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper) to the melted butter. Stir for 30 seconds to bloom the flavors.
- Add flour and whisk continuously for 1-2 minutes until it forms a smooth golden paste (roux), being careful not to brown it.
- Gradually whisk in evaporated milk and heavy cream, about ½ cup at a time, ensuring each addition is fully incorporated before adding more.
- Add Dijon mustard and remaining seasonings, whisking to combine.
- Continue cooking and whisking until the mixture begins to thicken, about 5 minutes.
- Reduce heat to low and add the cheese mixture (excluding the 2 cups reserved for layering) gradually, adding one handful at a time and stirring until completely melted before adding more.
- Once all cheese is melted and sauce is smooth, remove from heat.
Combine and Layer
- Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce, gently folding until all pasta is evenly coated.
- Pour half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish.
- Sprinkle 1 cup of the reserved cheese evenly over the pasta layer.
- Add the remaining pasta mixture on top.
- Sprinkle the final cup of reserved cheese over the top.
Bake
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil.
- Bake covered at 350°F for 20 minutes.
- Remove foil and continue baking for an additional 15-20 minutes until the edges are bubbly.
- Optional: For a golden brown top, broil for 2-3 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
Serve
- Remove from oven and let stand for 5 minutes before serving.
- Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired.
- Serve hot while the cheese is at its stretchiest for maximum cheese pull effect.
Serving Suggestions
Tini’s Mac and Cheese is best served immediately while the cheese is at its stretchiest. It works beautifully as a main dish with a simple green salad, or as a side alongside smoked brisket, pulled pork, or holiday ham.
The recipe is a guaranteed showstopper at Thanksgiving, Easter gatherings, or any potluck where you want to impress.
Make It Your Own
While the original recipe is perfect as is, you can customize it in several ways:
- Add Protein: Crispy bacon bits or pulled pork fold in beautifully (just make sure meats aren’t too juicy)
- Incorporate Vegetables: Steamed broccoli creates a classic broccoli-cheddar combination
- Stovetop Version: Skip the baking step and enjoy it straight from the pot for an even creamier texture
- Cheese Variations: Some readers have successfully substituted Havarti or Pepper Jack for part of the cheese blend
Nutrition Information
Per Serving (1/12 of recipe):
- Calories: 598 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Protein: 30g
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 21g
- Cholesterol: 105mg
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 6g
Note: Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary based on specific ingredients used.
Other Pasta Recipe
- Rasta Pasta Recipe with Creamy Jerk Chicken
- Chicken Spaghetti with Rotel
- Stuffed Shells
- Shrimp Pesto Pasta
- Pasta alla Norma
- Paccheri with Quick Sausage Ragu
Tini’s Mac and Cheese lives up to its viral status. It’s indulgent, comforting, and has that wow factor that makes people reach for seconds. While it requires a bit more effort than boxed versions, the pay-off is a restaurant-quality dish that will have everyone asking for your secret.
The unique layering technique ensures you get that perfect cheese pull with every serving, making it not just delicious but also incredibly fun to eat. Whether you’re making it for a special occasion or just treating yourself to the ultimate comfort food, this recipe delivers on its promises.
Have you tried this viral sensation yet? If you do, be sure to let me know your thoughts and any creative twists you added to make it your own!
Tini’s Mac and Cheese: The Viral TikTok Sensation That Lives Up to the Hype
Description
This viral TikTok mac and cheese features a trio of freshly grated cheeses, perfectly cooked cavatappi pasta, and a special layering technique that creates the most incredible cheese pull you’ve ever experienced. Creamy, gooey, and packed with flavor, this recipe lives up to the hype and will become your new go-to comfort food.
Ingredients
For the Pasta:
For the Cheese Mixture:
For the Sauce Base:
For Garnish:
Instructions
- Prep Work: Grate all your cheese, then mix the three varieties together in a large bowl. Set aside about 2 cups for layering later.
- Cook Pasta: Boil the cavatappi until al dente (slightly firm), about 7-8 minutes. Drain but don’t rinse—the starch helps the sauce stick better.
- Make the Roux: In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add half of the seasonings (garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper) and stir to bloom the flavors. Sprinkle in the flour and whisk continuously for about 2 minutes until it forms a golden paste.
- Create the Base Sauce: Gradually whisk in the evaporated milk and heavy cream. Add the Dijon mustard and continue whisking until the mixture begins to thicken, about 5 minutes.
- Add Cheese: Reduce heat to low and add the cheese mixture gradually, a handful at a time, stirring until completely melted before adding more. This prevents clumping and ensures a smooth sauce.
- Combine: Fold the cooked pasta into the cheese sauce until evenly coated.
- Layer for Maximum Cheese Pull: Here’s Tini’s signature technique—pour half the pasta mixture into a 9×13 baking dish, sprinkle with 1 cup of the reserved cheese, add the remaining pasta, then top with the final cup of cheese.
- Bake: Cover with foil and bake at 350°F for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 15-20 minutes until bubbly around the edges.
- Broil: For that Instagram-worthy golden top, broil for 2-3 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Rest and Serve: Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to set slightly.
Notes
- Cheese Substitution: The key to this recipe is using freshly grated cheese. Pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that prevent proper melting.
Mozzarella Recommendation: Many readers (and I) suggest reducing the mozzarella to ½-¾ pound for better flavor balance.
Mustard Substitution: If you don’t have Dijon mustard, use 2 teaspoons of mustard powder instead.
Pasta Options: While cavatappi is ideal due to its ridges and shape for holding sauce, you can substitute other medium pasta shapes like penne, rotini, or shells.
Spice Level: Adjust garlic powder and smoked paprika to taste. The current measurements provide a flavorful but not overpowering result.
Consistency: If you prefer a less saucy mac and cheese, you can reduce the heavy cream to ¾ cup.