If you’ve spent any time scrolling TikTok this past year, you’ve probably seen the viral mac and cheese that broke the algorithm. The recipe—loaded with three kinds of cheese, a roux-based cream sauce, and a broiled golden finish—racked up over 100 million views and launched hundreds of home cooks into full-on cheese experiments. The original creator, food influencer Tineke Younger (known as Tini), kept her ingredient list tight and her technique professional. Below, I’ve pulled together the exact measurements from the top recreations so you can recreate it at home without guesswork.

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TikTok Likes: 14.2 million · Pasta Type: 1 lb corkscrew noodles · Cheeses Used: Mozzarella, Colby Jack, Sharp Cheddar · Bake Time: 25-30 minutes · Broil Finish: 2 minutes

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • 1 lb corkscrew pasta (cavatappi) (TastyAZ)
  • Three-cheese blend: mozzarella, Colby Jack, sharp cheddar (TastyAZ)
  • Roux base with butter, flour, and Dijon mustard (TastyAZ)
2What’s unclear
  • Exact original TikTok video publication date not publicly confirmed
  • Whether Tini’s official ingredient list differs from recreations
  • Precise peak virality date and view count timeline
3Timeline signal
  • Recipe went viral on TikTok over the past year (TastyAZ)
  • Recreation posts by food bloggers surfaced through 2023-2025 (Bad Batch Baking)
4What’s next
  • Perfect the layering technique for maximum cheese pull
  • Experiment with make-ahead storage and reheating methods

The ingredient specifications below pull from the most detailed recreations, cross-referenced across multiple food blogs that documented their attempts to match Tini’s viral result.

Ingredient Amount Notes
Pasta 1 lb Cavatappi (corkscrew) noodles
Mozzarella 1 lb (16 oz) Shredded, preferably freshly grated
Colby Jack 1 lb (16 oz) Shredded, preferably freshly grated
Sharp Cheddar ½ lb (8 oz) Yellow preferred per some sources
Evaporated Milk 12 oz (1 can) Carnation brand commonly cited
Heavy Cream 2 cups Heavy whipping cream
Butter 3 tbsp Unsalted, for roux
All-Purpose Flour 3 tbsp For roux base
Dijon Mustard 1 tbsp Cuts through richness
Garlic Powder ½–1 tsp Varies by source
Smoked Paprika ½–1 tsp Adds subtle smokiness
Salt ¼–1 tsp Seasoning to taste

What do I need for Tini’s mac and cheese?

The ingredient list is surprisingly straightforward for a recipe that produces such a rich result. The foundation is corkscrew pasta—specifically cavatappi—which food blog I Am A Food Blog notes traps the creamy sauce inside the tube centers better than elbow macaroni. You’ll need about 1 pound of it.

Pasta and cheeses

The cheese blend is where Tini’s recipe gets serious. According to the detailed breakdown at TastyAZ, you need 1 pound of shredded mozzarella, 1 pound of shredded Colby Jack, and half a pound of shredded sharp cheddar. Sugar and Soul emphasizes buying cheese blocks from the deli and grating them yourself—pre-shredded cheese contains additives that inhibit proper melting.

Milk and cream amounts

Two dairy liquids form the sauce base: one 12-ounce can of evaporated milk and 2 cups of heavy whipping cream. Bad Batch Baking notes that the evaporated milk goes in first, followed by the heavy cream added after to thicken the sauce properly.

Spices and seasonings

Seasoning amounts vary slightly across recreations. TastyAZ lists 1 teaspoon each of salt, white pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Meanwhile, ImHungryForThat includes a half teaspoon of onion powder as a variant not present in all versions. I Am A Food Blog leans lighter, using just a quarter teaspoon of salt with half teaspoons of the powdered spices.

The key is that Tini seasons twice—once when building the roux and again after the cheese melts and pasta is mixed. YouTube tests of the recipe confirm this two-stage seasoning approach as essential to the final flavor balance.

Why is Tini’s mac and cheese famous?

The recipe didn’t just get attention—it became a cultural moment. Tineke Younger, posting under the handle Tini, uploaded a straightforward video showing her assembly technique and the result was immediate and massive. TastyAZ reports that the video accumulated over 100 million views, with the recipe picking up 14.2 million likes on TikTok specifically.

TikTok virality

The virality wasn’t accidental. Food blog 12 Tomatoes points out that Tini’s recipe is essentially the technique all culinary school students learn for making professional-grade mac and cheese—the roux-based bechamel approach that creates silkiness rather than the gluey texture of simpler recipes. That professional pedigree gave the recipe credibility beyond typical viral food content.

Unique cheese blend

The three-cheese combination—mozzarella for stretch, Colby Jack for mild flavor and melt, sharp cheddar for punch—hits every textural and flavor note. Bad Batch Baking describes it as “a super creamy, decadent mac and cheese casserole smothered in a cheesy cream sauce,” while Sugar and Soul went so far as to call it “the Best Mac and Cheese EVER!”

Creamy texture secret

The texture comes from two technical choices. First, the roux base—melt 3 tablespoons of butter, whisk in 3 tablespoons of flour, then gradually add the dairy liquids. Second, the Dijon mustard, which I Am A Food Blog notes cuts through the cheese richness to create balance rather than overwhelming richness.

The upshot

Tini’s mac and cheese succeeds because it brings professional technique to a viral format. The three-cheese melt, roux base, and broiled finish deliver results that beat most restaurant versions.

What kind of milk does Tini use in her mac and cheese?

The dairy setup is what separates this recipe from standard boxed mac and cheese versions. Tini relies on evaporated milk as the primary liquid, not regular milk or cream alone.

Evaporated milk role

Evaporated milk is different from regular milk—it’s milk with about 60% of its water content removed, creating a richer, slightly caramelized flavor. Roux Girl Substack specifically mentions CARNATION Evaporated Milk as the brand referenced in recreations. The 12-ounce can (equivalent to about 1.5 cups of regular milk’s solids) provides the backbone of creaminess without the dilution of water-heavy fresh milk.

Heavy cream quantity

Heavy cream—specifically heavy whipping cream—follows the evaporated milk. The standard measurement is 2 cups. This double-dairy approach (evaporated milk first, cream added after) creates a sauce that Bad Batch Baking confirms thickens to the right consistency for coating without breaking.

Dairy alternatives

There are no widely reported dairy-free or substitute versions that match the original’s profile. The combination of evaporated milk’s protein and fat structure with heavy cream’s high fat content is specifically engineered for the texture. Swapping either substantially changes the result, which is why most recreations stick to the original formula.

How long do I cook Tini’s mac and cheese?

Timing breaks down into three phases: boil the pasta, build the sauce and bake, then finish under the broiler for color. TastyAZ puts total cook time around 50 minutes (plus 10 minutes resting), while Sugar and Soul suggests a shorter 35-minute total.

Boil time for pasta

Cook the cavatappi in salted water until just al dente, typically 8-10 minutes depending on your stove. You want the pasta firm enough to hold up during baking but not fully cooked, since it continues in the oven.

Bake duration

The bake happens in a 9×13 baking dish. Temperature varies slightly by source—TastyAZ calls for 375°F, while 12 Tomatoes suggests preheating to 350°F. Bake until the cheese is bubbly and beginning to brown on top, usually 20-30 minutes. Sugar and Soul specifies 25-30 minutes before the broil stage.

Broil for golden top

The final step is a broil lasting just 1-2 minutes. Sugar and Soul notes this creates the golden, slightly crispy top that makes the dish visually distinctive. Watch closely—this step goes from perfect to burnt quickly.

Why this matters

The broil finish isn’t just cosmetic. That golden layer undergoes Maillard browning, developing flavor compounds that complement the already-rich cheese beneath. Skipping it leaves the dish technically correct but visually and flavorfully incomplete.

How many days ahead can you make Tini’s mac and cheese?

The recipe is actually make-ahead-friendly in a specific way. TastyAZ notes a prep time of just 10 minutes, with the cook recommending assembly a day ahead, then baking fresh the day of serving. This approach lets you prep on a busy schedule without sacrificing the fresh-baked texture on serving day.

Make-ahead storage

Assemble the mac and cheese in your baking dish, cover tightly with plastic wrap or foil, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. The cheese sauce may thicken slightly overnight, but the pasta will absorb it during baking. Add 5-10 minutes to your bake time if cooking from cold refrigerator temperature.

Reheating instructions

If you’ve already baked and have leftovers, individual portions reheat well in the microwave at 70% power for 2-3 minutes, or covered in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes until heated through. The broiler works again here too—briefly running it over the top restores some of that golden texture lost during storage.

Best serving freshness

For peak flavor and texture, serve immediately after the broil finish. Bad Batch Baking estimates the recipe serves 12, making it ideal for gatherings where you can pull it from the oven and bring it straight to the table while it’s at its most impressive.

How to Make Tini’s Mac and Cheese

Follow these steps in order for best results. The layering technique—dividing the cheese in half and building it into the dish—creates the signature cheese pull that made this recipe famous.

  1. Grate your cheeses. Use 1 lb mozzarella, 1 lb Colby Jack, and ½ lb sharp cheddar, all freshly grated from blocks. Avoid pre-shredded cheese.
  2. Boil the pasta. Cook 1 lb cavatappi in salted water until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  3. Build the roux. Melt 3 tbsp butter in a saucepan, whisk in 3 tbsp flour, and cook for 1 minute. Add 1 tbsp Dijon mustard.
  4. Add liquids gradually. Pour in 12 oz evaporated milk, stirring constantly, then add 2 cups heavy cream. Whisk until smooth.
  5. Season the sauce. Add seasonings (garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, pepper) and stir. Use about ½ tsp each of the powdered spices and adjust salt to taste.
  6. Incorporate cheese. Add one half of your cheese blend to the sauce, stirring with a spatula (not a whisk) until melted and smooth.
  7. Combine pasta and sauce. Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and fold gently until evenly coated.
  8. Layer in the baking dish. Pour half the pasta mixture into a 9×13 dish, add a layer of the remaining cheese, then the rest of the pasta, then the final cheese layer on top.
  9. Bake. Cook at 375°F for 25-30 minutes until bubbly.
  10. Broil. Finish under the broiler for 1-2 minutes until the top is golden brown. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
  11. Rest and serve. Let the dish rest for 10 minutes before serving to let the sauce set slightly.
The trade-off

The make-ahead approach trades a few minutes of oven time for a significantly more relaxed hosting experience. Your guests get fresh-baked mac and cheese, and you spend less time in the kitchen when they’re arriving.

“With over 100 million views on TikTok this Viral Mac and Cheese Recipe from creator Tini is a must try for the holidays.”

— TastyAZ (Food Blog)

“Tini’s Macaroni and Cheese is a super creamy, decadent mac and cheese casserole that’s smothered in a cheesy cream sauce and stuffed with layers of shredded cheese.”

— Bad Batch Baking (Food Blog)

“Tini’s mac and cheese recipe is the technique all chefs learn in culinary school.”

— 12 Tomatoes (Food Site)

Related reading: How to Make Pancakes from Scratch · How to Make Matcha

Tini Younger’s viral TikTok original exploded on TikTok with 14.2 million likes, inspiring home cooks to perfect its creamy cheese blend.

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Frequently asked questions

How much heavy cream do you need for Tini’s mac and cheese?

You need 2 cups of heavy whipping cream. This combines with a 12-ounce can of evaporated milk to create the sauce base that coats the pasta.

How much evaporated milk is needed for Tini’s mac and cheese?

The recipe calls for 12 ounces, equivalent to one standard can of evaporated milk. Most sources specifically cite CARNATION brand, though store brands work similarly.

How does Tini mac and cheese taste?

The flavor is intensely cheesy with a balance between the mild stretch of mozzarella and Colby Jack against the sharp bite of cheddar. The smoked paprika adds subtle smokiness, while the Dijon mustard cuts through the richness. The roux-based sauce creates a silkier texture than recipes using only melted cheese.

Can I make Tini mac and cheese for just two people?

The full recipe makes about 12 servings. To scale down, divide all ingredient amounts by 4-6 and use a smaller baking dish. The technique remains the same—proportional adjustments work fine for smaller batches.

How many calories are in Tini’s mac and cheese?

Nutritional data isn’t consistently reported across recreation sources. Given the three-cheese blend, heavy cream, and butter roux, expect a caloric density typical of premium mac and cheese recipes—approximately 400-500 calories per generous serving.

Why is mac and cheese banned in some countries?

This is unrelated to Tini’s recipe specifically. Some countries restrict certain cheese imports or have regulations around dairy additives. The question appears to reference isolated cases of specific mac and cheese products being held at borders, not any issue with the recipe itself.

What are the four ingredients that make cheese?

At its most basic, cheese requires milk, a coagulating agent (like rennet), salt, and bacterial cultures. Tini’s recipe adds three types of cheese, but these four fundamentals apply to all cheese production.

For home cooks looking to recreate the viral TikTok phenomenon, the recipe holds up under scrutiny. The professional technique—roux base, freshly grated cheese, layered assembly, broiled finish—produces results that justify the attention. Whether you’re cooking for a crowd of 12 or just want to understand what the algorithm was celebrating, the measurements above give you everything you need to execute it properly.

For anyone hosting a gathering or simply curious about viral food phenomena, the takeaway is clear: Tini’s mac and cheese earns its millions of views through actual technique, not just presentation. YouTube tests and recreations confirm the recipe consistently delivers what it promises—a ultra-creamy, layered, golden-topped dish that beats most restaurant versions. If you’ve been putting off trying it, the make-ahead option and forgiving ingredient list make now the perfect time.