Though it may not be a traditional holiday dish, homemade macaroni and cheese has become a staple of many Thanksgiving gatherings over the years. This recipe from @mxriyum on TikTok and Instagram adds a gourmet edge to a comforting classic, making it the perfect dish for any holiday gathering. 

Ingredients

• 1 lb. macaroni pasta
• 4 oz. cream cheese 
• 4 cups heavy cream 
• 2 tsp. salt 
• 2 tsp. white pepper 
• 2 tsp. paprika 
• 2 tsp. garlic powder 
• 2 tsp. onion powder 
• ½ cup pasta water 
• ½ cup butter 
• Handful minced garlic 
• 1 minced shallot 
• 3 tbsp. Flour 
• 8 oz. freshly grated cheddar cheese 
• 8 oz. freshly grated white cheddar cheese 
• 8 oz. freshly grated gruyere or pepper jack cheese 
• 1-2 extra handfuls of any above cheeses (for layering)
• Chopped green onions (if desired) 

Directions

• In a large saucepan, add heavy cream, cream cheese, and seasonings. Simmer on low heat while preparing the rest of the dish. 
• In a separate large pot, bring a pot of water to a boil, then add in pasta with a pinch of salt. Cook until al dente and drain, being sure to save ½ cup pasta water. Set aside. 
• In the same pot that pasta was cooked in, melt butter and saute shallots and garlic for 2-4 minutes. Add in flour and stir until a golden color develops. 
• Stir in heavy cream mixture and pasta water until well combined. Add in cheeses and stir until melted and smooth. Stir in cooked pasta until well coated with the cheese sauce.
• Pour pasta into desired baking dish and top with extra cheese. Layer more cheese throughout the dish and garnish with chopped green onions if desired. 
• Bake at 350° for 10-20 minutes or until the top layer of cheese is golden brown. 

 I made this recipe for a ‘friendsgiving’ recently, and it turned out lovely. Enjoy!