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    I Tried Tini Younger’s Mac and Cheese Recipe; Perfect for Super Bowl

    Press RoomBy No Comments5 Mins Read

    • I made the famous mac and cheese recipe by “Next Level Chef” star Tineke “Tini” Younger. 
    • Her mac and cheese has racked up over 100 million views on TikTok. 
    • I loved her twists on the recipe and think this dish is perfect for Super Bowl Sunday. 

    It’s not easy for a recipe to take hold on TikTok these days. So rarely does another dalgona coffee or feta pasta come our way.

    That changed when “Next Level Chef” star Tineke “Tini” Younger shared her mac and cheese recipe.

    Younger originally posted the video for Thanksgiving in November 2023, and the recipe — which seems to rack up more than 100 million views every time it’s shared — became an instant hit.

    Tini’s recipe is now a holiday favorite, but I always crave mac and cheese on Super Bowl Sunday.

    Here’s how to make it.

    Tineke “Tini” Younger’s mac and cheese recipe features twists on the traditional ingredients.


    Ingredients for Tini's Mac and Cheese

    This mac and cheese features sharp cheddar, mozzarella, and colby jack.

    Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

    To make Tini’s mac and cheese at home, you’ll need:

    • 1 pound of cavatappi pasta
    • 16 ounces of mozzarella cheese, grated
    • 16 ounces of colby jack cheese, grated
    • 8 ounces of sharp cheddar cheese, grated
    • 1 12-ounce can of evaporated milk
    • 2 cups of heavy cream
    • 3 tablespoons of butter
    • 3 tablespoons of flour
    • 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard
    • 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
    • 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika
    • ½ teaspoon of salt
    • ½ teaspoon of pepper

    First, I cooked my pasta.


    Cooking pasta for Tini's mac and cheese

    I used cavatappi noodles, per Tini’s recommendation, for my mac and cheese.

    Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

    In her TikTok video, Younger said she opts for cavatappi noodles because their shape holds the cheese sauce better than elbow pasta.

    “All that cream gets all in the hole, so you bite into the cream and the cheesiness,” she said.

    Once my pasta was al dente, I drained the pot and set it aside while I started the sauce.

    Then I turned on my oven and began prepping the cheeses.


    Grating cheese for Tini's mac and cheese

    Grating all the cheeses was definitely a workout.

    Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

    I preheated the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and greased my baking dish (Younger recommends using a 9-inch by 13-inch pan) before I started grating all the cheese.

    The recipe includes 2 ½ pounds of cheese, and Younger is adamant that you shred it yourself.

    “Do not use pre-shredded cheese at all,” she says in the TikTok.

    Next, I tossed all the cheeses together.


    Grated cheese for Tini's mac and cheese

    My cheese mixture.

    Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

    After giving everything a good mix, I divided half of the cheese to use for the sauce.

    I also prepped my seasoning mix.


    Spice mix for Tini's mac and cheese

    The seasoning mix includes garlic powder and smoked paprika, plus salt and pepper.

    Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

    I threw my garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper into a small bowl so it’d be ready for the roux.

    It was time to get cooking.


    Melting butter for Tini's mac and cheese

    I melted my butter for the roux.

    Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

    First, I melted my butter in a large pan over medium heat.

    Once the butter had melted, I added half the seasoning mix.


    Adding flour to butter for Tini's mac and cheese

    Adding flour and seasoning to the roux.

    Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

    I started stirring as I added the flour. Younger said you should try to cook out all the flour, so I kept stirring for a few minutes.

    I added the can of evaporated milk.


    Adding condensed milk to roux for Tini's mac and cheese

    I started whisking after adding the evaporated milk.

    Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

    Younger said you should start whisking right after adding the milk to avoid clumps in your roux. This is also when your sauce should begin to thicken.

    I also added the heavy cream and the rest of my seasoning.


    Adding heavy cream to roux for Tini's mac and cheese

    Adding heavy cream to the sauce.

    Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

    I slowly began adding all my cheese.


    Adding cheese to sauce for Tini's mac and cheese

    Adding cheese to the sauce.

    Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

    Younger said you should let each handful of cheese melt before adding more.

    Once all the cheese had melted, I threw in the pasta.


    Adding pasta to cheese sauce for Tini's mac and cheese

    Adding pasta to the cheese sauce.

    Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

    I made sure to give the pot a big mix so all the noodles were coated with the delicious-smelling cheese sauce.

    Then I began building my mac and cheese pan.


    First later of pasta for Tini's mac and cheese

    My first layer of noodles.

    Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

    I added half of my cheesy cavatappi to the pan, spreading the noodles into an even layer.

    I added half of my cheese mixture on top, then repeated the steps before throwing my pan into the oven.


    Second layer of cheese for Tini's mac and cheese

    I added a layer of cheese on top of the noodles, then repeated the steps for four total layers.

    Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

    I baked my mac and cheese for 25 minutes, until the cheese had melted and began to bubble. Then I threw the pan on broil for two minutes to help give the top a beautiful golden crust.

    My mac and cheese got everyone talking at a potluck.


    Tini's mac and cheese

    Younger’s mac and cheese looked — and tasted — glorious.

    Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

    I made two pans of Younger’s mac and cheese (one with breadcrumbs and one without) for my friend’s NFL playoffs potluck, and it was one of the most popular dishes of the day.

    The cavatappi noodles were the perfect vehicle for the thick and creamy cheese sauce, giving each bite an explosion of flavor. I far preferred them to the traditional elbow noodles, and I think Younger’s mac and cheese convinced everyone that cavatappi is the superior shape.

    The cheese sauce was rich, indulgent, and delicious, and the Dijon mustard added a nice subtle tang. Our group was split 50/50 on whether the mac and cheese tasted better with breadcrumbs, so just stick to your personal preference.

    If you’re looking for a Super Bowl side to steal the spotlight, Younger’s mac and cheese is the ultimate touchdown.

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