Here & Now Anytime How to make the mac and cheese that has the internet salivating
Nov 21, 2025
Tineke "Tini" Younger, a TikTok chef famous for her viral mac and cheese recipe, reveals tips for perfecting this crowd-pleaser, emphasizing the importance of shredding your own cheese for creamy results. She also addresses common cooking mistakes, such as roux temperature and dairy addition. Kathy Gunst, the resident chef, shares her secrets to roasting vegetables, including avoiding sogginess and achieving perfect caramelization. Plus, she defines stews versus soups and presents hearty winter recipes that warm the soul.
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Never Use Pre-Shredded Cheese
- Shred your own cheese (by hand or with a shredder/food processor) instead of using pre-shredded bags.
- Pre-shredded cheese contains anti-clumping starch that prevents proper melting and makes mac and cheese grainy.
Recipe That Built Home Cooks' Confidence
- Tineke said she posted the recipe multiple times before one version went viral and became a Thanksgiving staple.
- She values the positive feedback from new cooks who gained confidence making her mac and cheese.
Pick Pasta That Holds Sauce
- Use cavatappi (or a pasta with hollows) so sauce pockets sit inside the pasta for more flavor in each bite.
- Choose pasta shapes that capture sauce rather than smooth tubes for a richer mouthfeel.
