Outback Steakhouse Mac and Cheese is an unbeatable classic and a customer favorite on their menu. Their tender pasta with creamy cheese beats any other restaurant and is comforting for many.

As a loyal customer of their Mac and cheese, I will share how I make this Outback Steakhouse Mac and cheese at home today. Now, before I share more about this recipe, let me tell you that mac and cheese is one of those dishes that sound easy to make but aren’t. Knowing the right proportions and tips to make the pasta tender and the sauce melty is the hack many fail to crack.

I have been in the same boat, too, but luckily, after several trials and errors, I have found the perfect recipe for mac and cheese. This creamy, silky, and savory pasta is filling and will keep you satiated for a long time. Moreover, it can be enhanced by adding various toppings and seasonings, which we will discuss later.

So, let’s begin with the equipment you need to assemble. Along the way, you will also find expert tips and tricks to ace this recipe.

Equipment Required

Pot: I use a pot to bring the pasta to a boil.
Saucepan: I use a saucepan to make a thick sauce for this recipe.
Spatula: I prefer using a wooden spatula to stir the ingredients together.
Cooking Spray: Since this recipe has a lot of cheese, I avoided liquid oil and used cooking spray instead.
Grater: This recipe has a lot of cheese, and I like to grate it using a grater.

Outback Steakhouse Mac And Cheese Ingredients & Substitutions

Note: The ingredients in this recipe can serve up to 4 people. You can increase or decrease the quantities as required.

2 Cups Macaroni: I use the classic macaroni, but you can also use shells or elbow pasta. Choose curvy pasta, as it allows the sauce to cling to it.
¼ cup Cheddar and 8 ounces Velveeta Cheese: Mozzarella and Gruyère are other classic cheeses that can be used in this recipe.
½ Cup Half and Half: When I don’t have half and half, I use whole milk instead.
¼ Teaspoon Paprika
Salt And Pepper

Preparation And Cooking Time

Preparation Time	Cooking Time	Total Time
15 Minutes	30 Minutes	45 Minutes

How To Make Outback Steakhouse Mac And Cheese Recipe At Home

Step 1

In a medium pot, add water and salt, and cook the pasta al dente. Drain the pasta using a colander and keep it aside.

Step 2

Take another pot and grease it with cooking spray. Add the shredded cheddar and Velveeta cheese to the pot. Then pour the half-and-half into the pot and stir until the cheese melts and combines with the half-and-half.

Step 3

Add a little paprika, salt, and pepper to this mixture, and then add the cooked pasta.

Step 4

Mix well until the pasta gets coated with the sauce, and then serve.

Outback Steakhouse Mac And Cheese Copycat Recipe Video

Expert Tips That I Recommend

I avoid throwing away the pasta water and store it to thicken the sauce. It has all the flavors from our boiled pasta, which can add more flavors to the final dish.
When making mac and cheese at home, I prefer using blocks of cheese that I shred myself. They melt easily.
Since I am making this dish on the stovetop, it is very easy to determine when the Outback Steakhouse Mac and Cheese is getting dry. If it sticks to the bottom, I add a splash of milk to let it cook and blend the flavors without drying it out.
To avoid clumping, I stir cold milk continuously to thicken the sauce.
Although salt and pepper are my primary seasoning sources, I also like experimenting with Dijon, ground mustard, or hot sauce.

FAQs About Outback Steakhouse Mac And Cheese

Can I bake Outback Steakhouse Mac and cheese?

Yes, you can bake Outback Steakhouse Mac and cheese. Add Al Dante macaroni to a baking dish and lay it out. Add cheese, milk, salt, and pepper to a bowl and stir to combine. Add it on top of the layered macaroni, add salt, pepper, and paprika, and stir them well to mix it all in. Put it in a preheated oven at 350°F. Bake it for 30-40 mins, and your baked Outback Steakhouse Mac and cheese is ready.

Why is my Outback Steakhouse Mac and cheese so grainy?

Your Outback Steakhouse Mac and cheese can turn out grainy for a few reasons. One is that either the pan is too high or the cheese is added quickly. Also, pre-shredded cheese can lead to grainy mac and cheese as it has anti-caking agents.

Why is my Outback Steakhouse Mac and cheese so watery?

Outback Steakhouse’s mac and cheese becomes watery if you add too much liquid, such as milk. To fix the runny consistency, you can let it boil until the desired consistency is reached, or you can add a little bit of all-purpose flour and stir it gently to thicken the consistency.

Is it ok to use pre-shredded cheese for my Outback Steakhouse Mac and cheese?

It is recommended to avoid using pre-shredded cheese when making Mac and cheese. Pre-shredded cheese doesn’t melt properly and will eventually separate from your sauce. Also, it lacks the gooey consistency.

Why is my Outback Steakhouse Mac and cheese so dry?

Your Outback Steakhouse Mac and cheese can be dry if you do not use the right amount and kind of cheese. Also, cut back on cream since it thickens the sauce, ultimately making it quite dry. Similarly, use the appropriate amount of thickening agents like butter and flour since they thicken the sauce and dry it.

How do I prevent my cheese sauce from separating?

Always add cheese to the sauce on low heat to prevent it from separating and avoid high temperatures. Stir continuously until melted and smooth.

How can I make this more flavorful?

There are plenty of ways to make this more flavorful. You can add more cheese or sauces like hot sauce to spice it up. Adding fresh herbs and spices also works like magic on mac and cheese and elevates the taste 10 times more. You can also add vegetables like broccoli or carrots for more flavor.

Nutritional Information Per Serving

Unfortunately, Outback Steakhouse’s mac and cheese is not a healthy option for daily consumption as it is rich in calories and sodium.

To give you a deeper insight, here is a nutritional chart on Outback Steakhouse Mac and Cheese:

Calories	234 kcal
Fat	4 g
Saturated Fat	2 g
Monounsaturated Fat	1 g
Polyunsaturated Fat	0.5 g
Potassium	158 mg
Trans Fat	1 g
Cholesterol	150 mg
Sodium	22 mg
Carbohydrates	41 g
Fiber	2 g
Sugar	3 g
Protein	8 g
Vitamin A	117 IU
Vitamin C	1 mg
Calcium	43 mg
Iron	1 mg

However, one benefit of this Outback Steakhouse Mac and Cheese is that it is entirely vegetarian, so people following this diet can enjoy it without restrictions.

Recipe Variations For Different Diets

Dairy-Free: You might think making this iconic Outback Steakhouse mac and cheese without dairy is impossible, but I have made it possible. To do so, I use vegan butter and cheese options. I also use almond and coconut milk instead of regular milk.
Gluten-Free: The easiest way to make this Outback Steakhouse Mac and cheese gluten-free is to use gluten-free pasta.

Storing And Reheating This Recipe

Storing

Countertop: Like any other food, I do not like to leave my Outback Steakhouse mac and cheese out for more than an hour. Beyond this time frame, the overall texture of the mac and cheese begins to change, and it can also get spoiled.
Refrigeration: I always make my Outback Steakhouse mac and cheese in large batches, so I refrigerate the leftovers for the next day. To do so, I place the leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate them for at least 3-4 days.
Freezing: I let my Outback Steakhouse mac and cheese cool completely to room temperature before freezing it. Then, I add it to freezer-friendly containers and keep them in the freezer for about 2-3 months.

Reheating

Microwave: To reheat this dish in the microwave, I flatten the leftovers using a spatula into a microwave-friendly dish for even heating. Then, I add a dash of milk to prevent it from drying out. Finally, I cover the dish with a lid and heat it for a minute on medium-high heat. If you need to heat it further, I suggest stirring it every 30 seconds to prevent it from burning or drying out.
Oven: I start by flattening out the leftovers on an oven-friendly dish and adding a dash of milk. Then I cover it with aluminum foil or an oven-safe lid and place it in a preheated oven at 350°F. I let it sit for 20 minutes, adding cheese before serving.
Stovetop: Reheating Outback Steakhouse mac and cheese over the stovetop is one of my ideal methods. To do so, I add a dash of milk, depending on how much is left. Then I add the leftovers, break them up into large clumps, and stir them gently over low heat to distribute the heat and prevent the Mac and cheese from sticking to the pan.

What To Serve With This Recipe

You can pair Outback Steakhouse Mac and Cheese with several side dishes to make it a complete feast. Following a high-protein diet, you can have it with Meatloaf, Baked Chicken Wings, or even a Steak on the side.

However, if you have this for lunch, you might enjoy a crispy, healthy side. To balance it out, I like to have this with any green salad by simply tossing in the veggies of my choice. If you are not big on veggies and salads, then you can also have Pan-Fried Brussels Sprouts with this.

Finally, an unpopular opinion that can be pretty controversial is having Outback Steakhouse mac and cheese with soup on the side. Trust me, but the Warm Soup with cheesy mac and cheese tastes surreal. Even better, you can have buns or garlic bread on the side to complete this whole meal.

Printable Version

More Outback Steakhouse Recipes That You Can Try

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Conclusion

Serve this Outback Steakhouse mac and cheese at home; you will never want to order from restaurants or buy boxed mac and cheese again. This soulful dish, topped with a layer of cheese, is a favorite even among the pickiest eaters.

Follow my steps and make this at home for complete victory. Nothing compares to this homemade version of mac and cheese. So grab your apron and prepare your pan, because this Outback Steakhouse mac and cheese recipe shouldn’t be put off.

Outback Steakhouse Mac And Cheese Copycat Recipe

Equipment Required

Outback Steakhouse Mac And Cheese Ingredients & Substitutions

Preparation And Cooking Time