Mac and cheese is the epitome of comfort foods. You really can’t go wrong with chewy pasta and cheesy sauce! It’s such a simple combination, but the taste and texture are out of this world. It’s perfect for the holidays, but since it’s also super easy to make, you can serve it any day of the year. Think you have the perfect recipe for mac and cheese? Give this one a try, and I’m sure you’ll change your mind.
Cracker Barrel Mac and Cheese
Everyone has their own version of the best mac and cheese, and this one is mine. I am a huge fan of Cracker Barrel mac and cheese. Honestly, there’s nothing too crazy about it. It has no special ingredients and no extra spices or seasonings. What it is, though, is a pure, unadulterated, classic mac and cheese. That’s not to say it’s nothing special, though. In fact, it’s ridiculously rich, creamy, and cheesy. The pasta is cooked to a perfect al dente, giving it the right balance of soft and chewy. Since it’s such a simple dish, Cracker Barrel mac and cheese is easy to replicate. Calling for the most basic ingredients and less than an hour of cooking, you get to enjoy this decadent mac and cheese in no time.
Ingredients
Pasta. Elbow, fusilli, rotini, or any tubular pasta. Cook until al dente to get that wonderful, chewy consistency. Butter and Flour. The magic combo that makes up the roux, which is responsible for thickening the sauce. Low sodium chicken broth. Some recipes call for milk, but this one uses chicken broth to give it that signature Cracker Barrel flavor. Heavy cream. For a richer, creamier, thicker sauce. Shredded Colby cheese. Most recipes call for a combination of cheeses, but the classic Cracker Barrel mac and cheese only requires Colby. But don’t worry, just because it only calls for one kind of cheese doesn’t mean it lacks flavor. Pepper. For flavor.
Tips for Making the Best Mac and Cheese
Speaking of cheese, grate it yourself! Pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that prevent cheese from reaching its maximum melting potential. Plus, grating your own cheese is easy, not to mention much cheaper. Should you bake mac and cheese or not? Well, it’s entirely up to you! But if you want to make the perfect Cracker Barrel copycat, you will want to bake it for 10 minutes post-cooking to get those crisp golden edges.If you plan on baking mac and cheese, cook the pasta just before it turns al dente (about a minute less) because it will continue to cook in the oven. If you’ve accidentally overcooked the pasta, lightly coat it in butter before baking. This will stop the pasta from absorbing more liquid and cooking further.Traditional mac and cheese makes use of elbow macaroni, but you can use other pasta shells, too.Cracker Barrel mac and cheese only calls for one cheese: Colby. But you’re free to add more! Cheddar, Gruyere, Swiss cheese, Jack cheese, Mozzarella, Pepper Jack, Parmesan, American, and even Velveeta work really well for mac and cheese.You can also put as many add-ins as you like, such as ham, bacon, shredded chicken, onions, peppers, and veggies.Avoid a lumpy sauce by pouring cold (not hot) chicken broth gradually into the roux and stirring constantly with a whisk. Do not stop stirring, or else you risk burning or curdling the sauce.Taste as you go! The great part about making mac and cheese is that it’s not a perfect science. You can add more cheeses, cream, or other ingredients until it suits your taste.You can store mac and cheese for up to 5 days in the fridge.
What is a Roux and How to Make It
It sounds so fancy, but roux is just a basic combination of fat (typically butter) and flour that helps thicken sauces. To make a roux, just stir together equal parts of melted butter and flour until it forms a thick paste. Then, add in liquid, such as milk or water, and stir constantly until it thickens to your desired consistency.
What to Serve With Mac and Cheese
Mac and cheese is so addictive, I can devour it on its own and call it a day. But in case you want to make a more complete meal out of it, here are some dishes that go wonderfully well with this cheesy treat. Balance out the heavy dish with a light green salad with vinaigrette dressing. Roasted veggies add a nice flavor contrast as well. What this pasta dish lacks is a bit of meat, so why not pair it with pork chops, steak, fried chicken, or fish? Mac and cheese is a perfect holiday side dish, meaning it also goes wonderfully well with turkey, roast pork, and prime rib. Click on a star to rate it!
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