• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
She's Not Cookin'
  • Recipes
  • About Me
  • Contact
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • About Me
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Easy Dinner Recipes

    Cavatappi Mac and Cheese Recipe

    Jul 19, 2022 · Modified: Jul 19, 2022 by Sandra Flegg

    • Facebook
    Jump to Recipe
    Cavatappi Mac and cheese on white plate with fork.

    This Cavatappi Mac and Cheese is super-cheesy with a homemade cream sauce and is topped with a breadcrumb topping. Enjoy it as a side dish recipe or add a side salad and turn it into a main course. Love cheesy recipes? Try this baked ravioli Alfredo recipe.

    Cavatappi mac and cheese on white plate. this recipe!

    I've added storage instructions to the recipe card but you're likely not going to nee it!! This delicious Mac and cheese recipe always disappears on the first day in our house!

    Ingredients for recipe with text overlay.
    • Cavatappi pasta - this corkscrew pasta is the perfect pasta shape for these cheesy sauce to cling to or you can substitute another pasta shape such as macaroni, rotini.
    • butter
    • onions
    • flour
    • whole milk
    • heavy cream
    • sharp Cheddar cheese - if you prefer, use a milder Cheddar such as medium or mild.
    • Gruyere cheese
    • breadcrumbs
    • butter (melted)
    Cheese sauce is stirred into cook pasta in 9x13-inch baking dish.
    1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
    2. Cook cavatappi pasta in boiling water until al dente following package directions. Drain and set aside.
    3. While pasta is cooking, prepare the sauce.  In a skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion and cook a few minutes until tender.
    4. Whisk in flour, continue whisking for two minutes. (mixture will thicken)
    5. Gradually add in milk and cream, whisking constantly after each addition.
    6. Taste and season with salt and pepper to taste.
    7. Continue to simmer until thickened. This should take approximately 1 and ½ to two minutes. 
    8. Remove pan from heat. Stir in 2 and ¼ cups of shredded Cheddar cheese ¾ cups shredded Gruyere cheese (reserving the remaining cheese for the top) and stir until sauce is thick and creamy.
    9. Stir in cooked pasta, then transfer to prepared baking dish.
    Shredded Gruyere and sharp cheddar cheese sprinkled on top of Mac and cheese in baking dish.


    10. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. (¾ cup Cheddar and ¼ cup Gruyere)

    Breadcrumbs sprinkled on top of cavatappi macaroni and cheese in baking dish.

    11. Melt butter in a small saucepan over low heat, or in a microwave-safe bowl in the microwave.  Stir in breadcrumbs. Sprinkle over pasta mixture.
    12. Bake in 350°F oven for 25 to 30 minutes until bubbly. 

    Finished dish of Mac and cheese on fork.

    You Might Also Enjoy

    • IKEA Swedish Meatballs Recipe
    • Texas Toast Sloppy Joes
    • Baked Ziti with Meatballs
    • Baked Mac And Cheese With Tomatoes

    I would love it if you left a comment about this recipe below! Subscribe to join the community and receive regular updates straight to your inbox! Let's connect via Facebook, Instagram & Pinterest!

    Print
    clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
    Cavatappi Mac and cheese on white plate with fork.

    Cavatappi Mac and Cheese Recipe


    • Author: Sandra Flegg
    • Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
    • Yield: 6 servings
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    Ingredients

    453g/1lb. Cavatappi pasta

    5 Tablespoons butter

    ½ cup chopped onion

    ⅓ cup all purpose flour

    1 and ½ cups whole milk

    ½ cup heavy cream

    3 cups medium or sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

    1 cup Gruyere cheese, shredded

    Breadcrumb topping:

    1 and ½ cups breadcrumbs

    3 Tablespoons butter, melted

    Salt & pepper to taste


    Instructions

    1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
    2. Cook cavatappi pasta in boiling water until al dente following package directions. Drain and set aside.
    3. While pasta is cooking, prepare the sauce.  In a skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion and cook a few minutes until tender.
    4. Whisk in flour, continue whisking for two minutes. (mixture will thicken)
    5. Gradually add in milk and cream, whisking constantly after each addition.
    6. Taste and season with salt and pepper to taste.
    7. Continue to simmer until thickened. This should take approximately 1 and ½ to two minutes. 
    8. Remove pan from heat. Stir in 2 and ¼ cups of shredded Cheddar cheese ¾ cups shredded Gruyere cheese (reserving the remaining cheese for the top) and stir until sauce is thick and creamy.
    9. Stir in cooked pasta, then transfer to prepared baking dish.
    10. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. (¾ cup Cheddar and ¼ cup Gruyere)
    11. Melt butter in a small saucepan over low heat, or in a microwave-safe bowl in the microwave.  Stir in breadcrumbs.
    12. Sprinkled over pasta mixture.
    13. Bake in 350°F oven for 25 to 30 minutes until bubbly. 

    Notes

    Storage instructions: Store leftovers in the refrigerator in covered airtight container for up to 4 days. 

    Reheat in microwave on microwave-safe plate until heated throughout.

    • Prep Time: 20 minutes
    • Cook Time: 45 minutes
    • Category: Dinner, Pasta
    • Cuisine: American

    Keywords: Cavatappi Mac and cheese, pasta bake

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @shesnotcookin on Instagram and hashtag it #shesnotcookin

    « IKEA Swedish Meatballs Recipe
    Lemon Ricotta Cookie Recipe »

    Reader Interactions

    Did you make this recipe? Let me know! Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Sandra! Welcome to my kitchen. A self-taught cook, I love being in the kitchen. My inspiration is the people who I love the most - my family. Here you will find simple family recipes with photos that will inspire you to cook from scratch.  More about me

    Trending Now!

    • Gigi Hadid Pasta (with and without vodka)
    • Walking Taco Casserole
    • Lemon Roasted Greek Potatoes
    • Lemon Ricotta Cookie Recipe
    • Easy Cherry Pie Bars for a Crowd
    • Peach Cobbler Pound Cake (Quick Bread)

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy

    Follow

    • Pinterest
    • Facebook
    • Instagram

    Contact

    • Contact

    AS AN AMAZON ASSOCIATE I EARN FROM QUALIFYING PURCHASES.

    COPYRIGHT © 2022 SHE'S NOT COOKIN'