Replying to @YT but anyway my Cheesy Baked Mac n Cheese recipe: (Flavored, Creamy & Crispy on Top) Ingredients: For the base: 1 lb pasta (elbows or shells work great) 8 oz freshly grated Colby Jack 8 oz freshly grated mozzarella 8 oz freshly grated sharp cheddar 5 tbsp unsalted butter 8 cloves garlic, finely minced 2 tbsp all-purpose flour ½ cup reserved pasta water Creamy spice mix: 2½ cups heavy cream 4 oz cream cheese 2 tsp paprika 2 tsp garlic powder 2 tsp onion powder ¼ tsp chili powder 2 tbsp hot sauce (like Frank’s Red Hot) 1 tsp black pepper ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste) ⸻ How to Make It: 1. Cook your pasta in salted water until al dente. Reserve about ½ cup of that pasta water before draining, then set both aside. 2. Make the flavor base: In a saucepan, combine the heavy cream, cream cheese, and all your seasonings (paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, salt, pepper, and hot sauce). Whisk it all together on medium-low heat until smooth and slightly thickened—don’t let it boil, just let it gently simmer. 3. Build your roux: In a large skillet or pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add in the garlic and sauté for about 2-3 minutes until fragrant. Then sprinkle in your flour and whisk continuously for another 2-3 minutes to cook off the raw flour taste. 4. Bring it together: Slowly pour the creamy spice mixture into your garlic-butter roux, whisking as you go. Let it simmer for a couple more minutes until everything’s nice and velvety. 5. Loosen it up: Stir in the reserved pasta water to thin the sauce just slightly. 6. Cheese it up: Add in your shredded cheeses a handful at a time, stirring until everything is fully melted and smooth. 7. Taste & tweak: Give the sauce a taste—this is your chance to adjust salt or spice if you want it bolder. 8. Mix in the pasta: Add your cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and gently stir until everything is coated in that creamy goodness. 9. Bake it off: Transfer the mac to a baking dish. You can layer with more cheese between if you want it extra decadent, or just top it off with a layer of cheese for a crispy finish. 10. Bake: Pop it into a 350ºF oven for 15–20 minutes. When it’s bubbly, hit it with the broiler for a minute or two to get that golden cheesy crust (watch it closely so it doesn’t burn). 11. Serve: Let it cool for a minute, then dig in and enjoy the creamiest, cheesiest mac ever. #macandcheese #cookwithme #cheese #pastarecipe - @thewoodfiregirl