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Copycat Applebee's 4 Cheese Mac and Cheese with Bacon
Recreate Applebee's famous 4 Cheese Mac and Cheese at home with this spot-on copycat recipe featuring a blend of five cheeses, smoky bacon, and fresh herbs for restaurant-quality comfort food.
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
35 mins
Servings: 8
Calories: 630 kcal
Course:
Side Dish
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 1 pound dry penne pasta
- 1 to 2 tablespoons salt
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 3/4 cup Parmesan Cheese
- 1/4 cup Asiago cheese
- 1/2 cup Monterey jack cheese
- 1/2 cup White Cheddar Cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded orange cheddar cheese for garnish
- 4 trips Bacon cooked until crisp and crumbled, for garnish
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the salt and penne pasta. Cook until al dente according to the package directions (usually 8 to 10 minutes). Drain and set aside.
- While the pasta is cooking, prepare the cheese sauce. In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 30 to 60 seconds, being careful not to brown it. Sprinkle the flour over the butter and garlic and whisk continuously for 1 to 2 minutes until smooth and lightly golden.
- Gradually add the heavy cream and milk to the saucepan, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Continue to cook and whisk until the mixture begins to simmer and thicken, about 3 to 5 minutes.
- Reduce the heat to low and add the Parmesan, Asiago, Monterey Jack, and white Cheddar cheeses. Stir until the cheeses are completely melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Add the prepared pasta to the cheese sauce and stir until well coated. Taste the sauce and adjust with salt if desired. Cheeses contain varying levels of salt, so adding salt too early may make your sauce too salty.
- Transfer the mac and cheese to a serving dish and top with the shredded Cheddar, crispy bacon, and parsley.
Cup of Yum
Nutrition Information
Calories
630kcal
(32%)
Carbohydrates
49g
(16%)
Protein
21g
(42%)
Fat
39g
(60%)
Saturated Fat
22g
(110%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
2g
Monounsaturated Fat
10g
Trans Fat
0.2g
Cholesterol
107mg
(36%)
Sodium
486mg
(20%)
Potassium
299mg
(9%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
5g
(10%)
Vitamin A
1245IU
(25%)
Vitamin C
1mg
(1%)
Calcium
403mg
(40%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 630
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 630kcal | 32% |
| Carbohydrates | 49g | 16% |
| Protein | 21g | 42% |
| Fat | 39g | 60% |
| Saturated Fat | 22g | 110% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 10g | 50% |
| Trans Fat | 0.2g | 10% |
| Cholesterol | 107mg | 36% |
| Sodium | 486mg | 20% |
| Potassium | 299mg | 6% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 5g | 10% |
| Vitamin A | 1245IU | 25% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 403mg | 40% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.