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Creamy Mac and Cheese Recipe – Easy Cracker Barrel Copycat Steps

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This ultra-creamy mac and cheese is a comforting, crowd-pleasing copycat of Cracker Barrel’s classic dish. It’s quick, easy, and packed with rich cheddar flavor—perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or cozy nights in.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 16 oz elbow macaroni (about 4 cups dry)
  • 3 cups sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated
  • 1 cup Colby cheese, grated
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter, cubed
  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp kosher salt (or to taste)
  • 1/2 tsp ground white pepper
  • 1/2 tsp mustard powder (optional)
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs (optional, for topping)
  • 1/2 cup extra grated cheddar (optional, for topping)
  • 2 tbsp melted butter (optional, for topping)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) if baking.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add elbow macaroni and cook until just al dente, about 7-8 minutes. Drain and set aside. Toss with a bit of butter to prevent sticking if needed.
  3. In a medium saucepan, melt unsalted butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until golden and nutty.
  4. Slowly whisk in whole milk, stirring constantly until slightly thickened, about 3-5 minutes.
  5. Mix in salt, ground white pepper, mustard powder, and garlic powder. Taste and adjust seasoning as desired.
  6. Lower heat to medium-low. Add sharp cheddar, Colby cheese, and cream cheese. Stir until melted and smooth.
  7. Add drained macaroni to cheese sauce and stir until evenly coated. If too thick, add a splash of milk.
  8. For baked version: Pour mac and cheese into casserole dish. Mix panko breadcrumbs with melted butter and extra cheddar, sprinkle over top. Bake for 20 minutes until golden and bubbling. Let cool 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

For best results, use freshly grated cheese and melt over low heat to avoid grainy sauce. You can skip the baking step for a stovetop-only version. Add-ins like bacon, veggies, or hot sauce are delicious. Gluten-free and dairy-free adaptations work well with alternative ingredients. Leftovers keep well and taste even better after reheating.

Nutrition

Keywords: mac and cheese, creamy, Cracker Barrel, copycat, comfort food, easy, cheddar, baked mac and cheese, stovetop mac and cheese, family dinner

Find it online: https://fuzzyforker.com/creamy-mac-and-cheese-recipe-easy-cracker-barrel-copycat-steps/