When we think of mac ‘n cheese, we often think about the instant ones. But why should we settle for instant mac ‘n cheese that’s mostly bland? Read on as we show you how to create an absolutely creamy mac and cheese recipe. Enjoy this classic mac ‘n cheese copycat recipe from Noodles and Company for your cheesy comfort food fix!
First, to make this recipe, go with your preferred brand of pasta. Of course, the star for this mac and cheese recipe will be the cheese. For this dish, we’re using two types of Monterey Jack. If you’re not familiar with different kinds of cheese, Monterey Jack is also known as the American white. It has a distinct mild flavor and it can be easily melted, which is perfect for Mexican dishes.
On the other hand, Colby Monterey Jack, or Colby Jack, is the result of blending Monterey Jack and Colby cheese. Colby is softer and creamier than Cheddar cheese. This superb cheesy combination will make your mac and cheese a delightful dish that everyone at home will enjoy. Our creamy mac and cheese go well with our Easy Egg Salad With Fresh Herbs Recipe, so try that one out too!
How To Make Just Like Noodles and Company Copycat Wisconsin Mac N Cheese
Treat yourself with this creamy and cheesy mac and cheese recipe. Double the fun with the use of two types of cheeses!
Ingredients
- 1 lb macaroni noodles, cooked, cooled
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 tbsp all-purpose flour
- ½ cup pale ale, or beer of your choice
- 2 cups whole milk
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
- 4 cups monterey jack cheese, grated, divided
To Serve:
- parsley, chopped
Instructions
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Melt the butter on a saucepan over medium heat.
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Add in the flour and whisk until the butter mixture starts to boil and bubble. Cook for another minute until it starts to lightly brown.
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Deglaze with beer and reduce briefly.
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Slowly whisk in the milk and cream. Continue to gradually whisk and cook for roughly 5 minutes until it starts to thicken up.
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Add in the pepper, salt, paprika, and 3 cups of monterey jack cheese. Mix until the cheese has melted.
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In a mixing bowl, combine both the hot cheese sauce and cooked pasta. Fold until evenly incorporated. You may need to do this in batches.
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Transfer to a baking casserole and top with remaining cheese.
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Transfer to the oven and broil at 440 degrees F or the oven’s highest temperature setting, for roughly 5 minutes, until the cheese has melted and a golden crust has formed.
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Garnish with parsley before digging in!
Nutrition
- Sugar: 5g
- :
- Calcium: 545mg
- Calories: 734kcal
- Carbohydrates: 51g
- Cholesterol: 153mg
- Fat: 48g
- Fiber: 2g
- Iron: 1mg
- Monounsaturated Fat: 13g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g
- Potassium: 310mg
- Protein: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 29g
- Sodium: 647mg
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Vitamin A: 1603IU
- Vitamin C: 1mg
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Commonly Asked Questions
Why did my mac and cheese turn out dry?
When the food gets dry after cooking, it’s usually a sign of dehydration or a lack of moisture. The same thing can be happening to your macaroni dish when it gets dry or sticky. The main solution to this is adding more liquid into your mixture. In this particular recipe, we’re using milk to make the macaroni creamy. So, if your mac and cheese becomes dry, just add in more milk or cream to get your desired consistency.
How do I fix bland mac and cheese?
When your mac and cheese end up being bland it might mean that there isn’t enough cheese. We recommend putting in a generous amount of cheese into your mac and cheese. If you want to have an extra kick to your macaroni, you can also add in more black pepper. However, if you want a stronger spice, we recommend using chili powder.
Conclusion
This mac and cheese dish will definitely remind you of Wisconsin with Monterey Jack. Serve this creamy and cheesy dish for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It's certainly perfect at any time of the day! Make sure to stock up on your macaroni pasta so you can have this comforting creamy and delicious dish any time you want.Have your own special recipe to share? Submit Your Recipe Today!
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