The Complete Step-by-Step Guide to Making Tini's Viral Mac and Cheese at Home

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If your local grocery store falls victim to the seasonal pasta run, do not abandon the dish. Certain pasta shapes replicate cavatappi's technical sauce-holding capability:

• Campanelle (Gigli): Fluted, cone-shaped edges trap thick roux-based sauces effectively.
• Curved, ribbed tubular elbows with pinched ends that capture cheese internally.
• Hollow spiral strands that provide a near-identical bite and sauce volume.

For cheese variations, avoid pre-crumbled specialty cheeses that lack melting fat. If sharp cheddar is unavailable, combine medium yellow cheddar with a wedge of aged gouda or fontina. Fontina melts with exceptional creaminess and yields a nutty profile that complements the smoked paprika base.