Every restaurant seems to have their own version of an American classic: mac and cheese. Learn how to recreate a few of your favorites with these copycat mac and cheese recipes.
15 Copycat Mac and Cheese Recipes
Updated on Nov. 22, 2023
1/15
Inspired by: Panera’s Mac & Cheese
Total Time
25 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My mac and cheese is simple and has lots of flavor from the cheeses and ground chipotle chile. I use conchiglie pasta because its shape allows more melted cheese to pool inside. Yum! —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 650 calories, 35g fat (22g saturated fat), 101mg cholesterol, 607mg sodium, 55g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 2g fiber), 27g protein.
2/15
Inspired by: Cracker Barrel’s Macaroni n’ Cheese
Total Time
2 hours 25 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
You'll always have a winner at the potluck when you bring macaroni and cheese. Here's an extra-rich, creamy version for the slow cooker. —Jennifer Blondek, Chicopee, Massachusetts
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 388 calories, 28g fat (17g saturated fat), 122mg cholesterol, 652mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 0 fiber), 17g protein.
3/15
Cheddar Spirals
Total Time
2 hours 50 min
Servings
15 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Our kids always loved this cheesy pasta and would sample a spoonful right from the slow cooker when they walked by. Adding cocktail sausages, sliced Polish sausage or cubed ham makes it a hearty dinner. —Heidi Ferkovich, Park Falls, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 260 calories, 19g fat (13g saturated fat), 67mg cholesterol, 415mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 10g protein.
4/15
5/15
Inspired by: Noodles & Company’s Wisconsin Mac & Cheese
Total Time
25 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I like to serve this mac & cheese with a salad and crusty bread. It's a satisfying meal that feels upscale, but will fit just about any budget. And because the Gorgonzola is so mild in this dish, even the kiddos will go for it. —Charlotte Giltner, Mesa, Arizona
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 468 calories, 22g fat (14g saturated fat), 68mg cholesterol, 649mg sodium, 49g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 2g fiber), 20g protein.
6/15
Inspired by: Country Kitchen’s Classic Mac & Cheese
Total Time
45 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Even people who have had their own homemade baked macaroni and cheese recipe for years ask for mine when they taste this crumb-topped version. For the best baked mac and cheese, use extra-sharp cheddar cheese for more flavor. —Shelby Thompson, Dover, Delaware
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 688 calories, 37g fat (21g saturated fat), 103mg cholesterol, 839mg sodium, 63g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 3g fiber), 27g protein.
7/15
Inspired by: Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery’s Veggie Mac ‘N Cheese
Total Time
45 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This creamy mac and cheese definitely doesn't come from a box! Fresh veggies add crunch and color and will leave everyone asking for seconds. —Marsha Morril, Harrisburg, Oregon
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 200 calories, 11g fat (6g saturated fat), 33mg cholesterol, 391mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 10g protein.
8/15
Inspired by: The Cheesecake Factory’s Fried Macaroni and Cheese
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
20 appetizers (2-1/2 cups dipping sauce)
From the Recipe Creator:
I created this deep fried mac and cheese recipe for my husband. He describes this recipe as unbelievably delicious because of the crispy deep-fried coating on the outside and the creamy richness on the inside. —Shirley Rickis, The Villages, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
1 appetizer with 2 tablespoons dipping sauce: 340 calories, 23g fat (10g saturated fat), 72mg cholesterol, 451mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 12g protein.
9/15
Inspired by: Bonefish Grill’s Applewood Bacon Mac & Cheese
Total Time
3 hours 20 min
Servings
18 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I’m all about easy slow-cooker meals. Using more cheese than ever, I developed an addictive spin on this casserole favorite. —Kristen Heigl, Staten Island, New York
Nutrition Facts:
1/2 cup: 272 calories, 14g fat (8g saturated fat), 59mg cholesterol, 400mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 1g fiber), 13g protein.
10/15
Inspired by: Longhorn Steakhouse’s Mac & Cheese
Total Time
50 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Dive fork-first into oodles of noodles baked to bubbly perfection and coated with a to-die-for sharp cheddar cheese sauce in this cavatappi, a grown-up version of mac and cheese. Hot sauce lends mild heat that’s delectable with the smoky topping. —Barbara Colucci, Rockledge, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 706 calories, 38g fat (21g saturated fat), 110mg cholesterol, 782mg sodium, 60g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 3g fiber), 32g protein.
11/15
Old-Fashioned Baked Macaroni and Cheese
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Bring back the taste of days gone by with this ooey-gooey classic. A little ground mustard and hot pepper sauce give this old-fashioned baked macaroni and cheese just the right spice. —James Backman, Centralia, Washington
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 267 calories, 17g fat (10g saturated fat), 48mg cholesterol, 425mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 12g protein.
12/15
Crockpot Mac and Cheese
Total Time
4 hours
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This classic casserole is a rich and cheesy meatless main dish. I've never met anyone who didn't ask for a second helping. —Bernice Glascoe, Roxboro, North Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 502 calories, 28g fat (18g saturated fat), 131mg cholesterol, 638mg sodium, 42g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 2g fiber), 21g protein.
13/15
Inspired by: TGI Friday’s Cheddar Mac & Cheese
Total Time
55 min
Servings
7 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This delicious dish is the ultimate comfort food. A blend of five cheeses, it makes a beautiful entree or a special side. I served it at our Thanksgiving dinner, and it received rave reviews. —Connie L McDowell, Greenwood, Delaware. Looking for more? Check out our collection of mac and cheese Thanksgiving recipes.
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/4 cups: 585 calories, 33g fat (20g saturated fat), 161mg cholesterol, 550mg sodium, 51g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 2g fiber), 20g protein.
14/15
Inspired by: Church’s Chicken’s Baked Macaroni and Cheese
Total Time
55 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Macaroni and cheese just may be king of the comfort foods. This sensational version is bubbling with creamy goodness—but is lighter on calories. —April Taylor, Holcomb, Kansas
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup (calculated without optional topping): 343 calories, 11g fat (6g saturated fat), 31mg cholesterol, 354mg sodium, 45g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 2g fiber), 18g protein.
15/15
Inspired by: Bar Louie’s Baked Mac & Cheese with Broccoli
Total Time
45 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband made a version of this casserole for me on our first date. Over the 11 years we’ve been married, we’ve made
several changes to the
ingredients and now it’s even better than the original. —Lisa DeMarsh, Mount Solon, Virginia
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 335 calories, 21g fat (12g saturated fat), 61mg cholesterol, 331mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 1g fiber), 13g protein.
