Ever since Gigi Hadid's spicy pasta alla vodka [1] recipe went viral in 2020, the supermodel and new mom [2] has been actively maintaining her foodie status on social media. Cooking up everything from breakfast tacos (Bella's favourite) to tarte tatin (her mom's), and chicken tikka (a recipe she learned from Zayn's mom), Gigi seems to be spending quite a lot of her free time in the kitchen, which we're obviously here for. So when she shared step-by-step instructions on how to make her mac and cheese on her Instagram Stories, I was inspired to spend some time in my own kitchen, too. I mean, how could I not, after seeing how tasty she made it look?
Gigi uses three types of cheese in her recipe, and the resulting combination is nothing short of ooey-gooey heaven. It's equal parts gouda, sharp cheddar, and mild cheddar, though she says you can use whatever kind you have in the fridge as long as it adds up to a pound when shredded. Unlike her sister's recipe [3], Gigi's mac and cheese sauce is on the thicker side, and she doesn't top it with bread crumbs. She does, however, incorporate a carefully tempered egg, adding to the overall creaminess and rich consistency of the dish. To cut through the heaviness of the milk and the three cheeses, Gigi also adds cayenne and paprika, and while she says it's optional, I found it gives it some extra zest.
Not only is Gigi's recipe [4] easy to follow, it's also genuinely delicious, and I can confidently say I'll be making it again. Keep reading to see how I recreated it, and how you can, too!
Step 1: Shred the Cheese
- Using a box grater to shred sharp cheddar, mild cheddar, and gouda until you have one pound or three cups of cheese.
- While grating, boil the pasta, strain, then set aside.
Step 2: Create the Base of the Sauce
- In a large pot, melt half a stick of butter and slowly add 1/4 cup flour.
- Continuously stir for a few minutes on medium heat.
Step 3: Allow the Milk to Thicken and Temper the Egg
- Add the 2 1/2 cups of milk to the pot and stir until thick. Once thickened, lower heat.
- Take about 1/4 a cup of the hot milk mixture, and while whisking, slowly add it to the egg in a bowl. You want to do it gradually so you don't scramble or cook the egg.
Step 4: Combine Sauce and Cheese
- Pour egg and milk mixture back into the big pot with the rest of the milk mixture.
- Then, while mixing, add your cheese and watch it melt into heavenly goodness.
Step 5: Add Seasoning
- Season with salt, pepper, and paprika and cayenne if you wish.
- Add your pasta.
- Add a little more milk if you want to thin out the sauce a bit.
Step 6: Transfer to a Bowl and Serve
Enjoy!