If I had to pick one food to live on for the rest of my life, it would be Mac and Cheese. There is something so comforting and happy about a big bowl of Mac N’ Cheese. I have tried this dish in just about every restaurant around us that serves it and Noodles & Co has one of my favorite versions. I just had to keep tweaking my homemade version until it was just right. I think the best part of this recipe is stirring in the cheese!
Wisconsin Mac & Cheese Copycat Recipe
You will need:
- 1 lb of macaroni noodles
- 2 Tablespoons flour
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- 1 and a half cups whole milk
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 2 cups Monterrey Jack cheese
- 1 cup Colby Jack Cheese
Cook the noodles according to the package direction. Over medium heat, add the the butter to the pan and melt. After the butter is melted, whisk in the flour. Cook your roux until in bubbles and browns, whisking the whole time.
Add the milk, whisking until the mixture starts to bubble and thicken up. Whisk the Monterrey Jack Cheese and paprika into the mixture and whisk until melted in. Place about half a cup of cheese sauce in the bottom of a bowl. Add a layer of noddles and then a handful of Colby Jack Cheese on top. Salt and Pepper to taste.
I don’t always want to make a full recipe of this, because often it is just my baby and I eating it for lunch, so I will half the recipe with 1 tablespoon of flour, 1 tablespoon of butter and 3/4 a cup of milk. It is a perfect serving for me and a little one. If I don’t have Monterrey Jack on hand, I will use Colby Jack for both cheese ingredients and it is just as delicious.
Copycat Wisconsin Mac and Cheese
This Wisconsin Mac & Cheese is a traditional comfort food copycat recipe. Just like the one at Noodles and Co, but made at home.
Equipment
- Large Pot
- Noodle Strainer
Ingredients
- 1 lb of macaroni noodles
- 2 Tablespoons flour
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- 1 and a half cups whole milk
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 2 cups Monterrey Jack cheese
- 1 cup Colby Jack Cheese
Instructions
- Cook the noodles according to the package direction.
- Over medium heat, add the the butter to the pan and melt.
- After the butter is melted, whisk in the flour.
- Cook your roux until in bubbles and browns, whisking the whole time.
- Add the milk, whisking until the mixture starts to bubble and thicken up.
- Whisk the Monterrey Jack Cheese and paprika into the mixture and whisk until melted in.
- Place about half a cup of cheese sauce in the bottom of a bowl.
- Add a layer of noddles and then a handful of Colby Jack Cheese on top.
- Salt and Pepper to taste.
Notes
I don't always want to make a full recipe of this, because often it is just my baby and I eating it for lunch, so I will half the recipe with 1 tablespoon of flour, 1 tablespoon of butter and 3/4 a cup of milk. It is a perfect serving for me and a little one. If I don't have Monterrey Jack on hand, I will use Colby Jack for both cheese ingredients and it is just as delicious.
How do you like your Mac N’ Cheese?
I love mac and cheese but sadly it irritates my hernia so I can't have it as much as I used to which is a shame.
I love making at-home mac&cheese!! I'll have to try colby jack next time!
Oh yum! When I head home after this semester ends I'll have to have my mom make this! I always love a good four cheese mac n cheese
Oh yum! I'll definitely have to try this. I love homemade mac and cheese!
ooh, the paprika sounds like the perfect addition — going to try i t soon!
Mac and cheese is a big thing in our house, but I hate buying the packet ones. I never really know what's in them. Thanks for this. Sarah
Nothing better than Mac and Cheese! Looks yummy, thanks for the recipe.
You just can't go wrong with good ol' mac and cheese! In my house it's a staple!
I love mac and cheese and I am so lucky that my hubby makes an amazing version!
Oh my! My littlest would love this. He is a mac and cheese fanatic. And now I'm hungry 🙂
I'll have to give your recipe a try. My family loves mac and cheese.
I don't think I've ever met a mac n cheese I didn't like. This look sooo good!
I've never heard of Noodles and Co, but it seems like a place I want to visit. This recipe looks so good!
I love mac and cheese and I love making it myself instead of buying the box kind. I have done a couple of different recipes variations and would love to try yours…it looks very delicious l 😀
I love Mac and Cheese! yum.
I think my daughter would agree with you – macaroni and cheese is her favorite food. This recipe looks delicious.
I LOVE Noodles & Co Mac'n'Cheese and can not wait to try this recipe! It is on my next meal plan! Thanks so much for sharing at the Dream. Create. Inspire. Link. I've pinned this recipe and shared on FB. I hope you will join us again tomorrow night!
I want to make this for a memorial service do you think this would reheat well?
YUM!!! I love making mac and cheese for my kids. They loved it. I suggest this recipe to other bakers.
Debra, this looks really good! I think I need to make these for myself and the kids. Love this idea!
Debra, it looks so yummy! I love the step-by-step instructions, making it an easy recipe to follow!
Debra, these look so delicious! I bet my family would love for me to make these sometime.
yoyoyo i fricken love mac dawg, please hook it up with more mac bruh.
Can this be frozen?
I’ve never tried but I don’t see why not.
I often go to your site to read a new recipe, thanks for teaching me how to cook delicious and healthy food.