Ultimate Creamy Mac and Cheese

First, preheat the oven to a high temperature of 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Next, spray a rectangular baking dish measuring 9x13 inches with cooking spray to prevent food from sticking.

Next, fill a large container of water with it and bring the water to a rolling boil. Add 2 ½ teaspoons of salt along with macaroni and cook, stirring constantly, for a duration of 5 to 6 minutes. Remove the cooked macaroni from heat and set it aside.

Then, shred Cheddar cheese using a manual method or a food processor. Set the shredded cheese aside for later use.

After that, melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook, whisking constantly until the mixture becomes smooth, taking around 3 to 4 minutes. Whisk in mustard powder and then pour in 3 ½ cups of milk. Whisk occasionally until the mixture starts to simmer, then let it sit for 5 minutes.

Add cream cheese and cook, stirring frequently until the mixture becomes thick, creamy, and smooth, taking about 5 minutes. Add remaining 1 ½ teaspoon of salt, pepper, and cayenne.

Stir in 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese. Turn off the heat and let the cheese melt. Stir in cooked macaroni. If you find that the mixture is too thick, add up to ¼ cup of milk.

Layer half of the pasta mixture in the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Top with 1 ½ cups Cheddar cheese and spread remaining pasta mixture over the top. Sprinkle with remaining Cheddar cheese.

Bake in the preheated oven until golden and bubbly, taking around 25 to 30 minutes.