Cracker Barrel Mack and Cheese is the ultimate comfort food. Now, you can enjoy the taste of Cracker Barrel’s Mac and Cheese without the fuss of going out.
Copycat Cracker Barrel Macaroni and Cheese
Macaroni and Cheese is one of those down home comfort foods loved by just about everyone. It’s a side that goes with just about anything you can dream up like Copycat Cracker Barrel Green Beans, Turkey and Stuffing Roll Ups, and Stuffed Peppers.
Soft noodles in a creamy sauce that is full of flavor. This mac and cheese will certainly be a family favorite.
What You’ll Love About this Baked Macaroni and Cheese
- Easy – This recipe is easy to make
- Enough for a Crowd – This mac and cheese recipe will feed a crowd, but I will leave the measurements to make a smaller amount for a cozy side at home
- Make Ahead – Prep this recipe all the way, cover with foil and refrigerate the day before.
Ingredients
- butter – I used unsalted butter and added salt for flavor.
- all-purpose flour – this will be mixed with the butter to make a roux
- salt – I used regular table salt
- dry mustard – this adds a little spice to the dish. Don’t worry, it won’t overpower the mac and cheese. It’s just enough.
- milk – In this case whole milk is definitely the best option, but you can use 2%, as well.
- cheddar cheese – shredded cheddar cheese
- elbow macaroni – you’ll wan’t to cook the noodles to al dente. The noodles should be soft and tender, but not mushy.
How to Make This Mac and Cheese
Cook the Noodles
Prepare the noodles in water sprinkled with salt to give the noodles a little flavor. Looking at the package directions, and cooke to al dente, so the noodles are soft but not mushy.
Meanwhile…
Make the Roux
In a large skillet or saucepan, melt the butter
Whisk in flour, salt, and dry mustard to make a roux
Making the Cream Sauce
Slowly whisk in the milk, whisking constantly to avoid clumping
Add Cheese
Stir in most of the cheese leaving just enough to sprinkle on top of the casserole. Continue to stir until melted and then remove from the heat
Putting it all together
Drain the noodles
In a buttered casserole dish, dividing between two casserole dishes for a large batch, add noodles and sauce. Mix until the macaroni is covered in sauce.
Top with the remaining cheese
Sprinkle cheese over the top
bake for 30-35 minutes or until the top is browned and cheese is bubbly.
Serving Suggestions
Cracker Barrel Mac and Cheese is the perfect side for holiday meals, summer potlucks, and celebrations.
Try it with a Classic Club Sandwich, Cordon Blue Chicken, or Baked Parmesan Wings
FAQs
How Do I Keep My Noodles From Overcooking?
Cooke the noodles to al dente. They should be soft but not mushy
What if My Sauce is Too Thick?
You can water it down with a little more milk.
Will My Cheese Sauce Burn?
To avoid burning, stir it constantly at medium temperature and take it off of the heat as soon as the cheese melts into the cream mixture.
Variations
Add-ins like ham, bacon, and shredded chicken are a fun way to turn this mac and cheese into a meal
Add-ins like sauteed broccoli, onions, or bell peppers add an all-new flavor to mac and cheese
Better yet, make a casserole with chicken, broccoli, onions, and crumbled Ritz crackers on top that have been tossed with melted butter
Make Ahead and Storage
You can easily make this mac and cheese a day in advance. Prep it completely, but don’t bake it. Cover with foil and refrigerate. Remove it from the fridge and let it warm to room temperature before baking.
Store leftovers in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Reheating: Reheat in the microwave, covered in the oven, or toss it into a saucepan and add a splash of milk to get the cheese to turn from its’ hardened state to creamy again.
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CopyCat Cracker Barrel Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
- 6 tbsp. butter unslated
- 6 tbsp. all-purpose flour
- 3 tsp. salt
- 3 tsp. dry mustard
- 7&1/2 cups milk whole or 2%
- 6 cups cheddar cheese divided (shredded)
- 6 cups elbow macaroni (cooked)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit
- Melt the butter in a saucepan or large skillet
- Stir in flour, salt, and mustard
- Whisk in the milk and continuously stir until the sauce begins to thicken
- Stir in most of the cheese, leaving enough to sprinkle over the top of the dish
- Coat the casserole pan or pans with butter
- Add the cooked macaroni and the cheese sauce to a buttered casserole dish
- Mix the macaroni and sauce until the macaroni is coated in sauce
- Top with the remaining cheese and bake for 25 minutes or until the top is browned and the cheese is bubbly
