Noodles & Co. Copycat Recipe: Wisconsin Mac & Cheese - Housewife Eclectic (2024)

by Wifeeclectic 27 Comments

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If I had to pick one food to live on for the rest of my life, it would be Mac and Cheese. There is something so comforting and happy about a big bowl of Mac N’ Cheese. I have tried this dish in just about every restaurant around us that serves it and Noodles & Co has one of my favorite versions. I just had to keep tweaking my homemade version until it was just right. I think the best part of this recipe is stirring in the cheese!

Noodles & Co. Copycat Recipe: Wisconsin Mac & Cheese - Housewife Eclectic (1)

Wisconsin Mac & Cheese Copycat Recipe

You will need:

  • 1 lb of macaroni noodles
  • 2 Tablespoons flour
  • 2 Tablespoons butter
  • 1 and a half cups whole milk
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 2 cups Monterrey Jack cheese
  • 1 cup Colby Jack Cheese

Cook the noodles according to the package direction. Over medium heat, add the the butter to the pan and melt. After the butter is melted, whisk in the flour. Cook your roux until in bubbles and browns, whisking the whole time.

Add the milk, whisking until the mixture starts to bubble and thicken up. Whisk the Monterrey Jack Cheese and paprika into the mixture and whisk until melted in. Place about half a cup of cheese sauce in the bottom of a bowl. Add a layer of noddles and then a handful of Colby Jack Cheese on top. Salt and Pepper to taste.

I don’t always want to make a full recipe of this, because often it is just my baby and I eating it for lunch, so I will half the recipe with 1 tablespoon of flour, 1 tablespoon of butter and 3/4 a cup of milk. It is a perfect serving for me and a little one. If I don’t have Monterrey Jack on hand, I will use Colby Jack for both cheese ingredients and it is just as delicious.

Noodles & Co. Copycat Recipe: Wisconsin Mac & Cheese - Housewife Eclectic (2)

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Copycat Wisconsin Mac and Cheese

This Wisconsin Mac & Cheese is a traditional comfort food copycat recipe. Just like the one at Noodles and Co, but made at home.

Course: Main Course

Keyword: CopyCat Recipe, Dinner, Food, Pasta, Recipe

Equipment

  • Large Pot

  • Noodle Strainer

Ingredients

  • 1 lb of macaroni noodles
  • 2 Tablespoons flour
  • 2 Tablespoons butter
  • 1 and a half cups whole milk
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 2 cups Monterrey Jack cheese
  • 1 cup Colby Jack Cheese

Instructions

  • Cook the noodles according to the package direction.

  • Over medium heat, add the the butter to the pan and melt.

  • After the butter is melted, whisk in the flour.

  • Cook your roux until in bubbles and browns, whisking the whole time.

  • Add the milk, whisking until the mixture starts to bubble and thicken up.

  • Whisk the Monterrey Jack Cheese and paprika into the mixture and whisk until melted in.

  • Place about half a cup of cheese sauce in the bottom of a bowl.

  • Add a layer of noddles and then a handful of Colby Jack Cheese on top.

  • Salt and Pepper to taste.

Notes

I don't always want to make a full recipe of this, because often it is just my baby and I eating it for lunch, so I will half the recipe with 1 tablespoon of flour, 1 tablespoon of butter and 3/4 a cup of milk. It is a perfect serving for me and a little one. If I don't have Monterrey Jack on hand, I will use Colby Jack for both cheese ingredients and it is just as delicious.

How do you like your Mac N’ Cheese?

Noodles & Co. Copycat Recipe: Wisconsin Mac & Cheese - Housewife Eclectic (3)

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Noodles & Co. Copycat Recipe: Wisconsin Mac & Cheese - Housewife Eclectic (5)Jaclyn Kent says

    I love making at-home mac&cheese!! I'll have to try colby jack next time!

    Reply

  2. Noodles & Co. Copycat Recipe: Wisconsin Mac & Cheese - Housewife Eclectic (6)Molly O'Connor says

    Oh yum! When I head home after this semester ends I'll have to have my mom make this! I always love a good four cheese mac n cheese

    Reply

  3. Noodles & Co. Copycat Recipe: Wisconsin Mac & Cheese - Housewife Eclectic (7)Hi, I'm Susannah! says

    Oh yum! I'll definitely have to try this. I love homemade mac and cheese!

    Reply

  4. Noodles & Co. Copycat Recipe: Wisconsin Mac & Cheese - Housewife Eclectic (8)Wee BlackCat says

    ooh, the paprika sounds like the perfect addition — going to try i t soon!

    Reply

  5. Noodles & Co. Copycat Recipe: Wisconsin Mac & Cheese - Housewife Eclectic (9)Anonymous says

    Mac and cheese is a big thing in our house, but I hate buying the packet ones. I never really know what's in them. Thanks for this. Sarah

    Reply

  6. Noodles & Co. Copycat Recipe: Wisconsin Mac & Cheese - Housewife Eclectic (10)Tara Settembre says

    Nothing better than Mac and Cheese! Looks yummy, thanks for the recipe.

    Reply

  7. Noodles & Co. Copycat Recipe: Wisconsin Mac & Cheese - Housewife Eclectic (11)Roxanne Ferber says

    You just can't go wrong with good ol' mac and cheese! In my house it's a staple!

    Reply

  8. Noodles & Co. Copycat Recipe: Wisconsin Mac & Cheese - Housewife Eclectic (12)Stacey D says

    I love mac and cheese and I am so lucky that my hubby makes an amazing version!

    Reply

  9. Noodles & Co. Copycat Recipe: Wisconsin Mac & Cheese - Housewife Eclectic (14)Ourfamilyworld says

    I'll have to give your recipe a try. My family loves mac and cheese.

    Reply

  10. Noodles & Co. Copycat Recipe: Wisconsin Mac & Cheese - Housewife Eclectic (15)The Cuteness says

    I don't think I've ever met a mac n cheese I didn't like. This look sooo good!

    Reply

  11. Noodles & Co. Copycat Recipe: Wisconsin Mac & Cheese - Housewife Eclectic (16)Janet Krugel says

    I've never heard of Noodles and Co, but it seems like a place I want to visit. This recipe looks so good!

    Reply

  12. Noodles & Co. Copycat Recipe: Wisconsin Mac & Cheese - Housewife Eclectic (17)Blanca F. says

    I love mac and cheese and I love making it myself instead of buying the box kind. I have done a couple of different recipes variations and would love to try yours…it looks very delicious l 😀

    Reply

  13. Noodles & Co. Copycat Recipe: Wisconsin Mac & Cheese - Housewife Eclectic (18)nicole says

    I love Mac and Cheese! yum.

    Reply

  14. Noodles & Co. Copycat Recipe: Wisconsin Mac & Cheese - Housewife Eclectic (19)Rose @ Walnut Acre says

    I think my daughter would agree with you – macaroni and cheese is her favorite food. This recipe looks delicious.

    Reply

  15. Noodles & Co. Copycat Recipe: Wisconsin Mac & Cheese - Housewife Eclectic (20)Sydney Andersen says

    I LOVE Noodles & Co Mac'n'Cheese and can not wait to try this recipe! It is on my next meal plan! Thanks so much for sharing at the Dream. Create. Inspire. Link. I've pinned this recipe and shared on FB. I hope you will join us again tomorrow night!

    Reply

  16. Noodles & Co. Copycat Recipe: Wisconsin Mac & Cheese - Housewife Eclectic (21)Patt says

    I want to make this for a memorial service do you think this would reheat well?

    Reply

  17. Noodles & Co. Copycat Recipe: Wisconsin Mac & Cheese - Housewife Eclectic (22)#1 mom says

    YUM!!! I love making mac and cheese for my kids. They loved it. I suggest this recipe to other bakers.

    Reply

  18. Noodles & Co. Copycat Recipe: Wisconsin Mac & Cheese - Housewife Eclectic (23)Alyssa says

    Debra, this looks really good! I think I need to make these for myself and the kids. Love this idea!

    Reply

  19. Noodles & Co. Copycat Recipe: Wisconsin Mac & Cheese - Housewife Eclectic (24)Alina says

    Debra, it looks so yummy! I love the step-by-step instructions, making it an easy recipe to follow!

    Reply

  20. Noodles & Co. Copycat Recipe: Wisconsin Mac & Cheese - Housewife Eclectic (25)Mariya says

    Debra, these look so delicious! I bet my family would love for me to make these sometime.

    Reply

  21. Noodles & Co. Copycat Recipe: Wisconsin Mac & Cheese - Housewife Eclectic (26)Tyler Nihguh says

    yoyoyo i fricken love mac dawg, please hook it up with more mac bruh.

    Reply

  22. Noodles & Co. Copycat Recipe: Wisconsin Mac & Cheese - Housewife Eclectic (27)Amy says

    Can this be frozen?

    Reply

    • Noodles & Co. Copycat Recipe: Wisconsin Mac & Cheese - Housewife Eclectic (28)Wifeeclectic says

      I’ve never tried but I don’t see why not.

      Reply

  23. Noodles & Co. Copycat Recipe: Wisconsin Mac & Cheese - Housewife Eclectic (29)Anne Bakerim says

    I often go to your site to read a new recipe, thanks for teaching me how to cook delicious and healthy food.

    Reply

  24. Noodles & Co. Copycat Recipe: Wisconsin Mac & Cheese - Housewife Eclectic (30)Anna says

    I love noodles and this recipe looks very appetizing and very simple. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Noodles & Co. Copycat Recipe: Wisconsin Mac & Cheese - Housewife Eclectic (2024)

FAQs

How does Paula Deen make mac and cheese? ›

directions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Lightly butter an 8x12" baking dish.
  3. In a pot of boiling salted water, cook the macaroni until al dente. ...
  4. Add two cups of the cheese and toss until melted.
  5. In another bowl, whisk the eggs with the sour cream.
  6. Add the milk, butter, and 1/2 teaspoons salt.

How does Gordon Ramsay make the best mac and cheese? ›

Gordon Ramsay's mac and cheese is a simplified recipe. Just boil pasta in milk and then, add butter, cheese, salt, and pepper to it. Merge all the elements and Gordon Ramsay's mac and cheese will be ready in no time.

What are the best noodles to use for mac and cheese? ›

By definition, classic macaroni and cheese should be made with, well, macaroni, a style broadly defined as any short, cylindrical extruded pasta. This includes tubes like ziti, penne, rigatoni and, yes, elbows, as well as corkscrew shapes like fusilli.

How much fat is in the Wisconsin mac and cheese at noodles and Company? ›

Noodles & Company Wisconsin Mac & Cheese, Regular (1 serving) contains 119g total carbs, 114g net carbs, 38g fat, 42g protein, and 980 calories.

Can I use sour cream instead of milk for mac and cheese? ›

I think sour cream is a great substitute! However, it may change the flavor just slightly. For sour cream, mix it in just like I outlined in the cream cheese example, but with far less or no extra liquid. Sour cream is slightly sour (duh), so this may impact the final flavor a bit.

What are the 3 best cheeses for mac and cheese? ›

What Is the Best Cheese for Mac and Cheese? Sharp cheddar is the overwhelming popular choice, but for extra-creamy results, we think medium cheddar is even better. Other delicious options include Gruyère, smoked Gouda, and Monterey Jack.

What's in Bob Evans mac and cheese? ›

Cooked Enriched Pasta (Water, Elbow Macaroni [Semolina (Wheat), Niacin, Iron (Ferrous Sulfate), Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid]), Milk, Water, Pasteurized Process Cheese Spread (American Cheese [Pasteurized Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzymes], Water, Whey, Sodium Phosphate, Contains Less than 2% of ...

What makes mac and cheese taste so good? ›

Butter: Butter adds tons of body and flavor to the sauce. It really helps it taste extra creamy and not just cheesy. Half and Half: Adding half and half to the macaroni does so much in amping up the creamy factor. If you don't have half and half, I'd recommend using whole milk.

What ingredient makes the difference between noodles and macaroni? ›

Differences in Ingredients

Flour – smooth, soft, and a lighter shade, noodles may be crafted using a finer kind of flour or a variety of different flours. Pasta on the other hand uses a heavier denser kind of flour to give it that weight. Salt – salt is essential when it comes to noodles.

Can you put too much cheese in mac and cheese? ›

Can you put too much cheese in mac and cheese? Yes, adding more cheese than a recipe calls for will not improve the dish. Too much cheese will result in a dish that is heavy and greasy.

What kind of noodles are used in mac and cheese? ›

These include pasta shapes that are hollow and tubular, such as penne or ziti, shells of varying sizes, and campanelle, a bell-shaped pasta with fluted edges and a hollow center (via Fine Cooking). These shapes catch lots of gooey cheese sauce, whereas smooth pasta shapes such as spaghetti will let it slide right off.

Did Noodles and Company change their mac and cheese? ›

Signature Mac is now 50% Cheesier. (COLORADO SPRINGS) — Noodles & Company is making its best-selling dish cheddar than ever and now serving guests even more ooey-gooey goodness by enhancing its World-Famous Mac menu with 50% more cheese sauce in every bowl.

Are mac and cheese unhealthy? ›

Are mac and cheese healthy, yes or no? Unfortunately, traditional mac and cheese tends to be unhealthy because it contains high amounts of saturated fats and sodium from butter, cheese, and milk. Additionally, it is calorie-dense and not ideal for those trying to lose weight.

Who consumes the most mac and cheese? ›

It was introduced under the Kraft Dinner name simultaneously in both Canada and the U.S. in 1937. The brand is particularly popular with Canadians, who consume 55% more boxes per capita than Americans. There are now many similar products, including private label, of nonperishable boxed macaroni and cheese.

Is Paula Deen's mac and cheese good? ›

I am partial to it baked, but I will not shy away from a quick stovetop version. While I've relied on Martha Stewart's Perfect Mac and Cheese recipe for years now, it's always good to try new things and when I saw how simple (and reportedly delicious) Paula Deen's version was, I knew it was a must-try.

What is the powder in mac and cheese? ›

Hello, what you're seeing is a special starch based anti-foaming white powder in the bowl which helps prevent boil-over during cooking. It's necessary for the cooking process. Hope this helps!

Why is my homemade mac and cheese not creamy? ›

Pro Tip: Don't use pre-shredded cheese. Many store-bought shredded cheese brands coat their cheese with an anti-caking agent than can make sauces grainy and less creamy. While it requires a bit of an arm workout, grating your own yields the best texture.

What makes mac n cheese so good? ›

Great mac n' cheese needs one or more cheeses that melt well, and one or more cheeses that bring the flavor. The best melters include monterey jack, fontina, baby swiss, asiago, provolone, mozzarella, and alpine-style.

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