As someone who has always enjoyed indulging in viral food trends, I couldn’t resist giving Tini’s Mac and Cheese a try after it took over my TikTok feed. On every video, people were raving about its cheesy and creamy texture, so naturally, I had to see if it lived up to the hype.

The recipe for Tini’s Mac and Cheese includes the following ingredients:

• 1 lb cavatappi/corkscrew pasta
• 16 oz mozzarella cheese, 16 oz Colby Jack cheese
• 8 oz Cheddar cheese
• Garlic powder
• Smoked paprika
• Salt
• Pepper
• Butter
• Flour
• Evaporated milk
• Heavy cream
• Dijon mustard

However, the process of preparing this dish proved more challenging than I had initially anticipated. It was the day before Thanksgiving, and I made my way to Meijer to pick up the ingredients. Naturally, things did not go according to plan. The cavatappi pasta was completely sold out, and the smoked paprika was nowhere to be found. It quickly became clear that I was not alone in trying to recreate this viral recipe. After making a quick detour to Kroger, I was finally able to collect everything I needed.

As someone with limited cooking experience, I found the process a bit daunting at first. One of the most time-consuming steps was grating the 40 ounces of cheese. It was surprisingly exhausting, but there was something oddly satisfying about the act, almost like a mini workout in the kitchen.

Aside from grating the cheese, my biggest concern was making the roux. In several TikTok videos, a common reason for the mac and cheese turning out gray or grainy was a burnt roux. To avoid this, I kept the heat low, and fortunately, the roux came together smoothly. However, my initial excitement was soon dampened when I realized the pan I had chosen was too small to accommodate all the mac and cheese. This meant I had to call in reinforcements—my mom helped me transfer the dish into a larger pan, saving me from the mess of spilling cheese over the sides. 

The highlight of the entire experience was broiling the mac and cheese to create a perfect, crispy, golden crust. I could have easily been content with just eating the top layer. As for the rest of the dish, it was undeniably delicious—rich, creamy, and full of flavor. 

So, is Tini’s Mac and Cheese worth the hype? Without a doubt. It’s decadent and tasty. Although the preparation can be challenging for those without extensive cooking experience, the end result is worth the effort. It is the perfect comfort food for special occasions or when you’re craving something cheesy. However, it can be quite filling, so proceed with caution if you’re planning to make it. Overall, for anyone looking to try a trending recipe that delivers on both taste and texture, Tini’s Mac and Cheese is certainly a recipe to add to your book.

On this blog, members of the Carmel High School chapter of the Quill and Scroll International Honorary Society for High School Journalists (and the occasional guest writer) produce curations of all facets of popular culture, from TV shows to music to novels to technology. We hope our readers always leave with something new to muse over. Click here to read more from MUSE.