Name: Tini's TikTok Mac and Cheese – Easy Dinner Recipes for Two
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 1 lb elbow macaroni; 1/2 cup unsalted butter; 1/2 cup all-purpose flour; 4 cups whole milk; 1/2 tablespoon garlic powder; 1 tablespoon mustard powder; Salt and black pepper to taste; 3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese; 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese; 1 cup shredded gouda (or your favorite cheese blend); 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese (for topping)

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Mac and cheese—yes, the ultimate comfort food—is having its TikTok moment, and honestly, we’re here for it. This version, made famous by Tini, isn’t just a viral hit; it’s the kind of dish that makes you pause mid-bite and go, “Wait, did I just make that?” We’re talking cheesy, creamy, baked to perfection, and ready to tackle the worst kind of day. Whether you’ve had a long work week or you just need something warm and indulgent without requiring a culinary degree, this is your go-to mac and cheese. What I love most is how it walks that beautiful line between simplicity and ‘wow, that’s good.’ You don’t need a dozen ingredients or a soufflé pan. You need a baking dish, a couple pantry staples, and a strong arm to stir all that gooey cheese. I’ve made this for dinner with my partner, and not a single crumb survived. It’s got the kind of golden crust on top that makes you think you’ve just unlocked a secret level of home cooking. So if you’re scrolling for easy dinner recipes for two, something low-stress but wildly satisfying, let’s talk cheese. And pasta. And that little crunch on the edges that could probably win awards.

1) Key Takeaways
2) Easy Tini’s TikTok Mac and Cheese Recipe
3) Ingredients for Tini’s TikTok Mac and Cheese
4) How to Make Tini’s TikTok Mac and Cheese
5) Tips for Making Tini’s TikTok Mac and Cheese
6) Making Tini’s TikTok Mac and Cheese Ahead of Time
7) Storing Leftover Tini’s TikTok Mac and Cheese
8) Try these Casserole next!
9) Tini’s TikTok Mac and Cheese
10) Nutrition

1) Key Takeaways

This dish uses basic ingredients and still delivers a rich, restaurant-quality flavor
It’s a great option for easy dinner recipes for two, especially on busy nights
Make-ahead friendly, customizable, and kid-approved comfort food
Baking it adds a crispy, cheesy crust that’s irresistibly golden

2) Easy Tini’s TikTok Mac and Cheese Recipe

You ever crave something cheesy, warm, and soul-soothing after a rough Tuesday? That’s how I found myself face-deep in this easy mac and cheese. I’d seen the video bounce around TikTok, and when Tini tossed her version into a baking dish, I knew I had to try it. It was creamy, it was golden, it looked like a hug in food form.

Turns out, it’s more than that. This easy dinner recipe for two doesn’t ask much from you. A little butter, a little patience while that roux thickens, and a lot of cheese. It’s one of those “trust the process” meals, but the process is like 30 minutes and mostly stirring. It fits perfectly into the list of easy dinner recipes for two because it doesn’t require you to juggle steps or ingredients.

The best part? You don’t need to be a cheese connoisseur or own an artisanal microplane. Just bring your appetite and a baking dish. Let’s keep it simple, delicious, and just fancy enough to feel like you tried.

3) Ingredients for Tini’s TikTok Mac and Cheese

1 lb elbow macaroni
Classic choice for a reason. Holds cheese sauce in every curve and crevice.

1/2 cup unsalted butter
Makes your roux rich and gives the sauce a silky base. Don’t skip this step.

1/2 cup all-purpose flour
This thickens the sauce. You’re going to want a spoon that stands up on its own.

4 cups whole milk
Go full fat. You’re not making diet food. You’re making mac and cheese dreams.

1/2 tablespoon garlic powder
A little background flavor to add depth. Don’t be shy.

1 tablespoon mustard powder
This cuts through the richness and keeps the flavor sharp.

Salt and black pepper
Season to taste. Seriously—taste it. Adjust it. Make it yours.

3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
The main character. Bold, melty, and dependable.

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
This adds that pull. You know the one.

1 cup shredded gouda
Optional, but totally worth it. Adds smokiness and a grown-up edge.

1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
Sprinkled on top before baking for that salty, golden crust.

4) How to Make Tini’s TikTok Mac and Cheese

Step 1
Boil your pasta until al dente. Salt the water like it owes you money. Drain and set aside.

Step 2
In a large pot, melt butter. Whisk in flour. Stir until smooth and just starting to bubble.

Step 3
Slowly add milk while whisking. Don’t stop whisking. This is how magic begins.

Step 4
Add garlic powder, mustard powder, salt, and pepper. Stir it up.

Step 5
Toss in all the cheeses (except parmesan). Stir until smooth and gooey.

Step 6
Combine pasta and sauce. Stir to coat every noodle in that creamy bliss.

Step 7
Pour into a baking dish. Top with parmesan. Bake at 375°F for 20–25 minutes.

Step 8
Let it sit a few minutes before serving. Or dive in and burn your mouth. Your call.

5) Tips for Making Tini’s TikTok Mac and Cheese

If you’re looking for ways to upgrade this already epic mac and cheese, I’ve got a few tricks. First, shred your own cheese. I know, it sounds like work, but pre-shredded stuff often has additives that keep it from melting smooth. Your homemade version deserves better.

Second, don’t skip seasoning your roux. It might look like bland white sludge at first, but that’s your foundation. Garlic powder, mustard, salt—these all punch in flavor early and give your sauce real character.

And lastly, if you’re making easy dinner recipes for two and want leftovers, double the batch. You’ll thank yourself tomorrow when lunch looks like a bubbling square of reheated comfort instead of last night’s regrets.

6) Making Tini’s TikTok Mac and Cheese Ahead of Time

Yes, you can totally make this in advance, and no, it doesn’t turn into a cheesy brick. Here’s the deal—mix the pasta and cheese sauce, then pour it into your baking dish. Cover it and stash it in the fridge for up to two days.

When you’re ready to bake, let it come to room temperature. If you’re in a rush, lower the oven temp a bit and bake it a few minutes longer so it heats evenly. Toss a little extra milk over the top before baking to help revive that creaminess.

This trick makes it a great addition to your meal prep game, especially if you’re into easy low carb dinner recipes for two that still feel indulgent. Well, this one’s not low carb—but it’s easy, and sometimes that wins.

7) Storing Leftover Tini’s TikTok Mac and Cheese

Wrap your dish tight or scoop what’s left into an airtight container. It keeps in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. Want to reheat it without drying it out? Add a splash of milk, cover it, and warm it in the oven or microwave.

You can freeze it too. Just portion it into freezer-safe containers. When you’re ready to eat, thaw overnight and reheat gently. It won’t be quite the same as fresh, but it’s still comfort food, and comfort food is always welcome.

And yes, this holds up surprisingly well for easy simple dinner recipes for one too. Make it once, eat it all week—no judgment here.

8) Try these Casserole next!

9) Tini’s TikTok Mac and Cheese