This Copycat Mac and Cheese Recipe Is Just as Good as Cracker Barrel's Most Popular Side Dish

Food trends come and go, but there is one type of dish that has never lost its luster: comfort food! 

It's hard to beat  comforting meals that give us something to look forward to after a long, hard day. From crockpot recipes , soups and stews , baked pasta and hearty casseroles, dinner time is one way we cope with what life throws at us. One meal that always hits for us is a delicious mac and cheese. There are thousands of recipes out there, from  viral mac and cheese  to  celebrity mac and cheese hacks . For my contribution to the cheesy canon, I set out to replicate one of my favorite restaurant recipes at home. And alas, my Copycat Cracker Barrel Restaurant Macaroni and Cheesewas born.

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Is Cracker Barrel Restaurant Mac and Cheese Good?

We consider ourselves as macaroni and cheese experts in this house. My kids love every version they can get, from the blue box to my tried and true no-boil baked mac recipe . Without a doubt, Cracker Barrel's has been in my oldest son's Top 5 since the first time he ate it. He even compares other restaurants' attempts to this one to see how they stand up. The Cracker Barrel mac and cheese is so good it has always been one of their most popular menu items, no matter what season.

Related: 34 Best Copycat Cracker Barrel Recipes

What Kind of Cheese Does Cracker Barrel Restaurant Use for Mac and Cheese?

I won't lie—I always assumed this decadent macaroni and cheese my kids couldn't get enough of was made with sharp cheddar. But after reading countless theories online and doing a little foodie investigating, I discovered Cracker Barrel's cheese of choice for their mac and cheese recipe is actually Colby. It makes sense, though, since it's very creamy and has a delicate flavor that doesn't overpower other dishes when ordered as a side.

Related: The Famous Cracker Barrel Hash Brown Casserole Recipe

How To Cook This Mac and Cheese

I think what makes this mac and cheese so special is the double cook process. The stove-top cheese sauce makes it creamy and decadent while baking it allows it to set up a little bit and get those slightly crunchy edges that my son literally covets! He will ask the waitress to make sure his bowl includes extra if she can. It is a mac and cheese recipe that satisfies fans of each kind all at once.

Related: Copycat Stouffer's Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

Why You Should Shred Your Own Cheese

I am not a cheese snob and will use pre-shredded cheese any chance I can. However, if I am making homemade cheese sauce, I always shred my own. The bags of cheese you can buy actually have corn starch added so it doesn't clump, and that changes the consistency of melting. In most recipes, I don't notice it, but with a sauce, it never works as well, so grab a grater and take the extra time to make it as ooey-gooey as possible.

Related: Copycat Panera Macaroni & Cheese Recipe

Why This Is the Best Copycat Cracker Barrel Restaurant Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

Not only is this a great copycat recipe, but it is also super easy to make and you only need 6 ingredients, most of which you probably have on hand right now! It is the perfect side dish any night of the week, but special enough for a holiday meal too.

Related: 20 Instant Pot Mac and Cheese Recipes

Ingredients Needed for Copycat Cracker Barrel Restaurant Mac and Cheese

• Elbow macaroni

• Colby cheese

• Flour

• Milk

• Butter

• Salt and pepper

How To Make Copycat Cracker Barrel Restaurant Mac and Cheese

This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.

1. Preheat oven to 350, lightly grease an 8x8 baking dish and boil your macaroni until al dente. While the pasta cooks, melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Whisk flour into butter until smooth and let cook for 2-3 minutes. This is your roux- or thickening agent.

2. Slowly pour in the milk, whisking constantly until smooth. Allow to cook for about 5 minutes until thickened.

3. Add 2 cups shredded cheese in batches, whisking between each, until a smooth cheese sauce forms. Season with salt and pepper.

4. When the macaroni is cooked, drain well and add to cheese sauce. Mix to incorporate. Transfer to baking dish and sprinkle with remaining cheese.

5. Bake the mac and cheese for about 15 minutes until it is bubbly and slightly brown. Allow to sit for a couple of minutes before serving.

Copycat Cracker Barrel Macaroni and Cheese can be on your table in less time than it takes to order carry out! I am confident it will become a constant on your weekly menu as soon as your family takes one bite, knowing winter is here to stay and we need as much comfort food as we can get!

How To Reheat Mac and Cheese

You can store leftovers in the fridge for a couple of days; just microwave for a few minutes to reheat. If you want to make this ahead of time, simply allow it to cool and then reheat it in the oven, covered with foil, for about 20 minutes in a 350-degree oven.

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Tips for Making This Recipe

• This is the perfect amount for a side dish. Double the recipe for a main dish or if serving many. Use a 9x13 pan instead.

• Shredding the cheese yourself will result in a creamier, smoother cheese sauce.

• Other short-cut pasta such as shells or rotini would work too.

• If your skillet is oven safe, you don't need to transfer to a baking dish.

• Colby is the closest match to theirs, but other cheeses would be delicious too.

• Do not over-boil the pasta because it will also cook when baked and you don't want it too mushy.

• When adding the cheese to the milk sauce, whisk/stir in a figure 8 pattern for the smoothest results.

What To Serve With Copycat Cracker Barrel Restaurant Mac and Cheese

• Rustic Roasted Chicken

• Crispy Baked Chicken

• Baked Chicken Fingers

• Pork Chops With Pan Sauce

• Loose Meat Sandwiches

• Philly Sloppy Joes

 More Copycat Recipes To Try Next

• Copycat Texas Roadhouse Green Beans

• Copycat Panera Broccoli Cheese Soup

• Copycat Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits

Ingredients

• 1-lb elbow macaroni

• 3 cups shredded Colby cheese, divided use

• 2 cups milk

• 5 tbsp butter

• ⅓ cup flour

• ½ tsp salt

• ¼ tsp pepper

1. Preheat oven to 350.

2. Lightly grease 8x8 baking dish.

3. Cook macaroni to al dente.

4. In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat.

5. Whisk in flour until smooth and cook for 2-3 minutes until a light roux forms.

6. Slowly add milk, whisking constantly.

7. Cook for 3-5 minutes until thickened.

8. Reduce heat to medium-low.

9. Add 2 cups cheese in small batches, stirring constantly until a smooth cheese sauce forms.

10. Season with salt and pepper.

11. When macaroni is cooked, drain well.

12. Add to skillet and stir well.

13. Transfer to baking dish, sprinkle with remaining cheese and bake for 15 minutes until bubbly and slightly browned.