Cracker Barrel Mac and Cheese Copycat Recipe
The first time I recreated this Cracker Barrel Mac and Cheese at home, my family gathered around the table in complete silence, savoring every creamy, cheesy bite. This isn’t your average macaroni and cheese recipe, and it certainly doesn’t come from a box. The secret to this copycat version lies in its silky texture and rich cheese flavor, which perfectly capture what makes the restaurant version so beloved. Best of all, it comes together in just minutes on the stovetop with simple ingredients, making it the ultimate weeknight comfort food that both kids and adults will devour.
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What Makes the Cracker Barrel Macaroni and Cheese So Special?
This recipe succeeds by using two secret ingredients that transform ordinary macaroni and cheese into something spectacular. Evaporated milk adds richness and creaminess without requiring a complicated roux-based sauce, while the reserved pasta water contains starches that help emulsify the cheese, yielding the silkiest possible texture. Using real American cheese rather than processed cheese product creates authentic flavor while still delivering that perfect melt. The result is a homemade mac and cheese that’s astonishingly simple yet rivals any restaurant version.
Cracker Barrel Mac and Cheese Ingredients
For this copycat Cracker Barrel Mac and Cheese recipe, you’ll need:
- Short pasta or elbow macaroni – Creates the foundation and provides perfect nooks for cheese sauce
- American cheese – Delivers the signature smooth melt and classic flavor
- Evaporated milk – Provides creaminess and richness without separating when heated
- Pasta water – Contains starches that help bind the sauce for perfect consistency
Ingredient Notes
Cracker Barrel uses elbow macaroni, but you can use any short pasta you prefer. Tubular pasta is best suited for macaroni and cheese because it provides space for the cheese sauce.
Do not substitute Velveeta for American cheese.
For an extra flavor boost, you can cook the macaroni in chicken broth or vegetable broth.
Be sure to use evaporated milk, not sweetened condensed milk, for this recipe.
How to Make the Creamiest Cracker Barrel Mac and Cheese
To prepare the pasta:
- Boil the pasta according to the package instructions. For the best texture, cook the pasta past al dente, until it is soft.
- A minute or two before draining the pasta, scoop out a cup of the pasta water and keep it for later.
- Drain the pasta and return it to the pot.
To make the cheese sauce:
- If you use a block of American cheese, dice it into medium pieces.
- Add the diced American cheese, evaporated milk, and a third cup of pasta water to the pot.
- Heat the pot on low and continuously stir until the cheese melts. If the sauce is lumpy, add a bit more pasta water and continue to stir the mixture.
- Remove the pot from the heat and serve hot.
Storage and Reheating
- Quick reheating: Microwave on medium power in 30-second intervals, adding a splash of milk after each interval and stirring between intervals.
- Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Up to 1 month, though the texture may change after thawing.
- Best reheating method: Reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat with about 1 tablespoon of milk per cup, stirring often.
Favorite Cracker Barrel Side Dish Recipes
- Cracker Barrel Carrots
- Cracker Barrel Bacon Baked Beans
- Cracker Barrel Dumplings
- Cracker Barrel Fried Apples
- Cracker Barrel Hash Brown Casserole
- Cracker Barrel Mashed Potatoes
More Copycat Mac and Cheese Recipes
- Boston Market Mac and Cheese
- Chick-fil-A Mac and Cheese
- Longhorn Mac and Cheese
- Luby’s Mac and Cheese
- Outback Mac and Cheese
- Panera Mac and Cheese
- Sweetie Pie’s Mac and Cheese
Check out more of my easy side dish recipes and the best copycat Cracker Barrel recipes on CopyKat!
Plus you’ll get great new recipes from us every week!
Copycat Cracker Barrel Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
- 16 ounces elbow macaroni
- 12 ounces American cheese cubed
- 3/4 cup evaporated milk
Instructions
- Cook the macaroni according to the package directions. Drain the pasta, reserving 1/3 cup of pasta water.
- Return the cooked pasta to the pot and set the heat to medium-low. Add the American cheese, evaporated milk, and reserved pasta water and stir until the cheese has melted. Serve immediately.
Nutrition
What to Serve With Cracker Barrel Mac N Cheese
To turn this copycat Cracker Barrel macaroni and cheese into a main course, stir in just about any cooked meat or veggie. Sliced hot dogs, shredded pork, and steamed broccoli are great options. But if you want to use this recipe for Cracker Barrel Mac and Cheese as a side for a main course, there are a few suggestions below:
- Fried chicken. Whether it is traditional Southern Fried Chicken or Chicken Fried Chicken, there isn’t a more definitive pairing than chicken and mac and cheese.
- Meatloaf. Some people think meatloaf is boring, but that is far from the truth. You just need to use a good meatloaf recipe, like this one for Smoked Meatloaf or this incredibly moist classic-style meatloaf.
- Oven-roasted vegetables. You don’t need to add meat to make mac and cheese a meal. Try these roasted Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, or potatoes with onions and bell peppers.
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