Outback Mac and Cheese Made With 6 Simple Ingredients

If you've had Outback's mac and cheese, then you know just how creamy, cheesy, and delicious it is. And, that's also completely true for this copycat Outback mac and cheese recipe as well. Seriously, this is as close to the real thing as you can get. Plus, the best part about this recipe is that it takes 15 minutes to make!

The Best Outback Mac and Cheese Recipe

Everyone knows Outback Steakhouse is home to the bloomin' onion but did you know it's also home to delicious mac and cheese?

Well, it's true!

And this mac and cheese recipe is, of course, my take on the classic Outback Steakhouse menu option. With cooked pasta, Velveeta cheese, and some spices taking center stage, this mac and cheese recipe is going to be your new favorite.

And it only takes about 15 minutes to make two servings. But if you want, you can double or triple this recipe and make it in just about the same amount of time!

So, this recipe is perfect for a weeknight dinner or even as the main dish at any event. Plus, because you can make it in such a big batch, it's perfect for sharing with a lot of guests. And with this copycat version, they'll all think you actually got Outback Steakhouse to cater.

By the way, I highly recommend serving it with steak or this Alice Springs chicken and Outback potato soup for a true Outback Steakhouse meal!

Anyway, let's not waste any more time, let's jump into the ingredients you'll need to make this iconic Outback Steakhouse mac and cheese.

Ingredients

As I mentioned earlier, this Outback Steakhouse mac and cheese recipe really doesn't take much effort.

And this elevated restaurant recipe doesn't use complicated ingredients. I bet you have everything you need to make it in your kitchen right now!

Anyway, here's what you need to make Outback Steakhouse mac and cheese:

• 2 cups Macaroni
• ¼ cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
• 8 ounces Velveeta Cheese
• ¼ tsp. Paprika
• ½ cup Half and Half
• Salt and Pepper (to taste)

See? Not bad at all!

So, this Outback mac and cheese is quite a simple recipe, and because it's homemade, you can make any changes that you see fit - I'll go over all of those below.

Additions To This Mac and Cheese

Ok, so not let's talk about some additions - and substitutions - you might want to make with this recipe.

If you want more of a seasoned savory flavor, you can add ¼ tsp onion powder and ¼ tsp garlic powder to the mac.

As far as noodles go, I like to use the elbow macaroni noodles, but if you'd prefer to use ziti, fusilli, or mini shells as your pasta of choice, those work great too. Personally, I wouldn't use penne pasta because I find the noodles with a corkscrew shape work better when it comes to holding the cheese.

If you'd prefer a vegetarian mac and cheese, mushrooms, lentils, and fried polenta are great protein-rich additions that pair well with this creamy mac and cheese.

And this recipe doesn't use the oven, but if you wish to add some bread crumbs on top, put the finished mac and cheese in a greased oven-safe dish, sprinkle a layer of bread crumbs on top, and broil it for about 5-8 minutes or until the bread crumbs turn golden brown.

Now, of course, I love this Outback Steakhouse mac and cheese as it is, but if you're looking to make your mac and cheese more of a hearty meal, I have some suggestions for that too. Try adding some cooked ground beef, sliced hot dogs, or some breaded Italian chicken for an extra protein boost.

You can also add some hot sauce and shredded chicken to make a buffalo chicken mac and cheese!

Now, if you have your ingredients ready, let's get cooking this delicious Outback Steakhouse mac and cheese.

How to Make Outback Mac and Cheese

Ok, so just like the ingredients, the cooking process is simple as well! You only need two saucepans and your stovetop. And, as I mentioned, all in all, this recipe should only take you about 20 minutes to make.

Now, here's how to make Outback Steakhouse's mac and cheese at home!

Step 1: Cook The Pasta

First, you're going to add the water and salt to a medium saucepan and bring it to a boil on medium-high heat.

Then, when the water reaches a boil, add the pasta and cook until it is al dente. This will take about 8-10 minutes.

Once cooked al dente, strain the pasta and put it aside for later.

Step 2: Make the Cheese Sauce

Next, grease another pot with cooking spray and set it over medium heat. Then, add the Velveeta cheese, shredded cheddar cheese and half and half to the pot.

Now, as the pot heats you'll want to constantly stir it until the cheese is fully melted and combined to make a cheese sauce.

Step 3: Add the Pasta and Spices

Now, once you've got a cheese sauce going on in the pot, you'll want to add the cooked pasta, paprika, salt, and pepper to it as well.

Then, mic until the spices are combined and the pasta is completely coated in the cheesy sauce.

Finally, serve this copycat Outback mac and cheese warm, and enjoy!

How to Store Outback Mac and Cheese

As I've mentioned, this recipe will make two servings - or more if you want. And if you find you have some leftovers of this copycat Outback mac and cheese, don't worry! This mac and cheese can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Just make sure to let it cool uncovered for about 15 minutes or so before storing it.

How to Reheat Outback Mac and Cheese

Now, the easy way to reheat this Outback mac and cheese recipe is just to pop it in the microwave for about 1-3 minutes - or until it reaches your desired temperature.

I think the best way to reheat it is in the oven. Simply preheat the oven to 350°F, add the outback mac and cheese to a greased baking dish, and bake for about 10 minutes or until the mac and cheese is heated through. You can even add a sprinkle of shredded cheddar cheese before heating!

Honestly though, heating it up in a pot on the stove typically produces results just as good as the oven. So, if you want to heat it up even quicker, give that a go.

Wrapping It All Up

If you love mac and cheese, this Outback Steakhouse mac and cheese is going to make you love it even more.

This copycat mac and cheese recipe is super simple to make compared to most homemade mac and cheese recipes, so it's a win-win. And it's really the perfect recipe to make as a main course for a weeknight dinner or as a dish for a potluck party. Plus, it even works as a side dish too.

Honestly, I have just been obsessed with making this recipe, and I have a feeling you're going to be obsessed with making it too. It's just too good not to.

As always, if you made this copycat Outback Steakhouse mac and cheese recipe, let me know how you liked it - and if you customized it - in the comments below!

Oh, and for more delicious easy recipes - just like this one - check out our Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok. 

More Copycat Recipes

If you enjoyed this Outback mac and cheese recipe, try some more of our amazing copycat recipes.

Here are some of our most popular restaurant recreations:

• Chick-Fil-A chicken nuggets
• KFC Nashville chicken tenders
• Panda Express honey sesame chicken
• Olive Garden grilled chicken margherita
• Olive Garden lasagna fritta
• Panera sierra turkey sandwich
• Cheesecake Factory thai coconut lime chicken

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