Longhorn Steakhouse Mac and Cheese
User Reviews
4.9
Longhorn Steakhouse Mac and Cheese
Description
The Longhorn Steakhouse Mac and Cheese recipe starts with cavatappi pasta cooked just until tender. A roux made from butter and flour serves as the base for the cheese sauce, which incorporates half and half gradually to achieve a smooth, thick consistency. Four types of cheese—gruyere, white cheddar, parmesan, and fontina—melt into the sauce, providing a complex, layered flavor profile enhanced by the subtle warmth of smoked paprika.
The prepared cheese sauce coats the pasta before being transferred to a baking dish. The topping of crumbled crispy bacon and panko breadcrumbs adds a crunchy texture contrasting the creamy interior once baked at 350 degrees until the breadcrumbs are golden and crisp.
This dish works well as a hearty side alongside grilled meats or as a filling main course. Its richness and smoky notes make it an indulgent comfort food option.
Grate block cheeses fresh to ensure proper melting and improved flavor.Bring half and half and cheeses to room temperature before use for a smoother sauce.Avoid overcooking pasta since it will continue to cook in the oven during baking.Don't omit smoked paprika, as it provides a distinctive flavor important to this recipe.
Ingredients
- 1 pound cavatappi pasta
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 2 cups half and half
- 2 ounces gruyere cheese shredded
- 8 ounces cheddar cheese shredded, white
- 2 tablespoons Parmesan Cheese shredded
- 4 ounces fontina cheese shredded
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 4 pieces Bacon cooked crispy and crumbled
- 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
Instructions
- Prepare pasta according to the package directions. Heat together in a large saucepan 2 tablespoons of butter and 2 tablespoons of flour over medium heat. Cook until the roux becomes fragrant.
- Add 1/2 cup of half and half and stir until sauce thickens. Add 1/2 cup of half and half when the sauce thickens, and then add final 1 cup of half and half and stir until the sauce becomes thick. Add cheeses to sauce slowly stirring until the cheese is blended. Sprinkle in smoked paprika.
- Mix pasta and sauce, and pour into a 13 x 9-inch baking dish that has been sprayed with non-stick spray. Top macaroni and cheese with crumbled bacon and panko breadcrumbs. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until panko breadcrumbs begins to brown.
Notes
- Grate block cheeses fresh to ensure proper melting and improved flavor.
- Bring half and half and cheeses to room temperature before use for a smoother sauce.
- Avoid overcooking pasta since it will continue to cook in the oven during baking.
- Don't omit smoked paprika, as it provides a distinctive flavor important to this recipe.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 10Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 468 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 468kcal | 23% |
| Carbohydrates | 39g | 13% |
| Protein | 19g | 38% |
| Fat | 25g | 38% |
| Saturated Fat | 14g | 70% |
| Cholesterol | 73mg | 24% |
| Sodium | 389mg | 16% |
| Potassium | 226mg | 5% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
| Vitamin A | 730IU | 15% |
| Vitamin C | 0.4mg | 0% |
| Calcium | 361mg | 36% |
| Iron | 1.1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
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