Copycat Red Lobster Mac And Cheese
Macaroni and cheese is a classic dish that is loved by people of all ages. It is a hearty and comforting meal that can be enjoyed on its own or as a side dish with your favorite meat. Among the many variations of this dish, Red Lobster's mac and cheese is a popular choice. If you're a fan of this dish but don't feel like going out to a restaurant, then you're in luck! In this article, we will be sharing a copycat Red Lobster mac and cheese recipe that you can make at home.
Ingredients
Before we dive into the recipe, let's take a look at the ingredients you will need:
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
- 4 cups of water
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 cups milk
- 2 cups grated cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
Most of these ingredients can be found in your local grocery store, but it's important to note that the type of cheese you use will affect the flavor of the dish. Cheddar cheese is the most commonly used cheese, but you can experiment with different types of cheese to find the flavor that you like best.
Instructions
Now that you have all the ingredients, let's get started with the recipe:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cook the elbow macaroni according to the instructions on the package. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
- In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Add the flour, dry mustard, and cayenne pepper to the melted butter. Whisk the mixture until it is smooth.
- Add the milk to the saucepan and whisk the mixture until it is smooth. Simmer the mixture for about 5 minutes or until it thickens.
- Add the cheddar cheese and parmesan cheese to the milk mixture. Stir the mixture until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir until the pasta is coated evenly.
- Transfer the mixture to an oven-safe baking dish.
- Sprinkle the panko bread crumbs over the top of the mac and cheese.
- Bake the mac and cheese for 20-25 minutes or until the bread crumbs are golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.
- Remove the mac and cheese from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
Variations
This recipe is a copycat of Red Lobster's mac and cheese, but you can put your own spin on it by trying out different variations. For example, you can add bacon bits or chopped jalapeños to the mac and cheese for an extra kick of flavor. You can also replace the cheddar cheese with a different type of cheese, such as gruyere or fontina, to give the dish a different flavor profile.
Conclusion
There you have it, a delicious and easy-to-make copycat Red Lobster mac and cheese recipe that you can enjoy from the comfort of your own home. With the right ingredients and a little bit of effort, you can recreate this classic dish and impress your friends and family with your cooking skills. Don't be afraid to experiment with different variations to find the flavor that you like best. Happy cooking!