Cracker Barrel Inspired Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe

This Cracker Barrel inspired baked mac and cheese recipe is the definition of comfort food! Tender noodles in a homemade white cheese sauce topped with a crunchy cracker topping. This makes a great addition to Sunday dinner or for holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas.

If you are a pasta fan you will love this copycat recipe, and the fact that you can make it at home! You might also like my Meatballs with Spaghetti & Sauce or this Creamy Smothered Cajun Chicken Pasta for your next pasta night!

Check out my other Pasta Recipes for more recipe inspiration. Making this copycat baked mac and cheese soon? Be sure to continue reading for ingredient substitutions and the tools I recommend using.

Highlights of this recipe

• Homemade cheese sauce: The rich, cheesy mac sauce combines a blend of white cheeses like mozzarella and Monterey jack, creating a smooth, creamy texture.
• Crunchy Cracker Topping: The addition of buttery crushed crackers adds a delightful crunch and a touch of saltiness, making this the perfect topping to go on your mac and cheese. The crackers get golden brown during baking and give this dish a beautiful finish!
• Customizable: This mac and cheese is easily customizable with the addition of bacon, herbs, or vegetables for added flavor and texture.
• Perfect holiday Side dish: Simple to prepare, it can be made ahead and baked just before serving, making it a great option for holiday entertaining or a quick family dinner!
• Comfort Food Classic: This dish takes a beloved favorite to the next level, making it perfect for cozy family dinners or special occasions. Who doesn’t love a copycat recipe made at home!

This copycat Cracker Barrel macaroni and cheese has two different types of shredded cheese, mozzarella and Monterey jack. These two cheese combined with the seasonings and buttery cracker topping create a flavorful dish. Good news – you can use any pasta shape and even swap out the cheeses in this dish.

Baked pasta is a great addition to any tablescape, it adds warmth and is sure to be a favorite for everyone. If you are serving this at your holiday table this year, serve with this Kale and Brussel Sprout Salad, Green Bean Almondine with Bacon, or One-Pan Scalloped Sweet Potatoes for a spread sure to impress!

Ingredient List & Substitutions

This creamy mac and cheese is made from scratch and loaded with flavor! Many of the ingredients needed can be substituted, read below to find substitutions if available:

• Pasta: any shape of noodle will work here, I recommend a tube shaped or shell shaped pasta. This helps to fold the cheese sauce. Examples would be elbow macaroni noodles, rigatoni, penne, mini shells, ziti.
• Flour: all-purpose flour is the best option here, it absorbs the butter and creates a roux that then becomes the thick cheese sauce. Gluten-free flour will also work.
• Seasoning: give the cheese sauce some extra flavor with seasonings like kosher salt, fresh cracked black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Other seasonings like chili powder, a touch of ground mustard powder, dried onion, or garlic salt can be added.
• Milk: I recommend using whole milk here, it is thick enough but not overly rich like heavy cream. 2% milk or half and half will also work.
• Shredded Cheese: this recipe uses shredded mozzarella cheese and shredded Monterey jack cheese. You could substitute cheddar cheese, Colby jack cheese, or parmesan cheese.
• Butter: I like to use unsalted butter so I can customize the salt better throughout the recipe. Butter is used both for the cheese sauce and for the cracker topping.
• Crackers: I use Ritz crackers but any buttery cracker like Club House crackers or snack crackers will work.

How to Make this Homemade Mac

Let’s talk a little about how to make this Cracker Barrel Inspired Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe (The printable instructions are in the recipe card below.)

Quick overview:

• Heat a large saucepan over medium heat. Add in butter and melt.
• Sprinkle in flour and stir to absorb.
• Slowly mix in milk and seasoning. Remove from heat and mix in shredded cheese.
• Combine cooked noodles and cheese sauce.
• Transfer to a greased baking dish and top with the cracker topping.
• Bake until golden brown and enjoy.

1. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente, drain and set aside. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and grease a 2.5qt. baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
2. Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Sprinkle in flour and whisk in until combined, let the mixture cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring often. The roux should have a caramel color, this creates a thick, creamy sauce.

3. Reduce heat to low and mix in the milk, 1/2 cup at a time. Stir to combine completely each time. Add in seasonings. Heat over low heat for a few minutes to thicken. At this point, this is a béchamel sauce.

4. Sprinkle in the shredded cheese, this may need to be done in batches. Stir constantly until cheese is completely melted. Remove from the heat.

5. Mix the cooked noodles into the cheese sauce, fold gently to combine.

6. In a mixing bowl combine melted butter and crushed crackers. I crush my crackers directly in the sleeve for less mess (but this is only mess-free until the tube busts open, lol).

7. Transfer the mac and cheese mixture into the greased baking dish or cast iron skillet, greasing your pan will make clean up much easier! Top the mac and cheese evenly with the cracker mixture.

8. Transfer to a preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and bubbly. Serve immediately!

Tools I Use for This Cracker Barrel Mac & Cheese

• Le Creuset 5 1/2-Qt. Dutch Oven – enamel cast iron is great for even heat and this pot is large enough so nothing boils over. My go to pot for soups, stews, chilis, roasts, and more! I have had my collection of Le Creuset for years and it is still in great condition!
• Wooden Spoons – perfect for sautéing and mixing, and great for not scratching your pans. Remember to deep clean your wooden utensils once a month!
• Large Sauce Pan: I love this pan for making a big batch of cheese sauce and for so many other things. This pan has a great look and finish and holds up to all my recipes!
• Casserole Dish: I use this set of Staub oval casserole dishes all the time, they are perfect for pasta, potatoes, or casseroles. Budget friendly and oven-safe!

More Ultimate Comfort Food Recipes

• Slow Cooker Italian Pork Roast – a comforting slow cooker dish, perfect for Sunday dinner.
• Creamy Lobster Ravioli – another decadent pasta recipe made with simple ingredients.
• Chicken Marsala without Wine – a classic dish made alcohol free!
• Red Wine Braised Short Ribs – a labor of love, these short ribs will melt in your mouth!

Looking for more recipe inspiration? Check out my recipe guides for instant ideas all in one place! 45 Sides to Serve with Pork Ribs, What to serve with French Dip Sandwiches, Side Dishes to Serve at a Chili Cook Off, and a fan favorite – Side Dishes To Serve With Italian Beef Sandwiches!

Making this Cracker Barrel recipe at home means no artificial flavors or colors and you can more easily control the nutritional information or accommodate food allergies. This is always a satisfying dinner or family meal!

Recipe Serving Ideas & Suggestions

Mac and cheese is great on its own or add in cubed chicken breast and steamed for some extra protein and nutrients. This recipe makes a great side dish or main meal, server alongside the side dishes below to create a delicious, balanced meal:

• Kale Crunch Salad with Dressing
• Fluffy Baked Potatoes in the Air Fryer
• Kale and Brussel Sprout Salad Recipe

Storage & Reheating

This Cracker Barrel Inspired Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe is great as a leftover and it is easy to store and reheat! Send some home with guests and you’ll be the star of your dinner party. Allow mac and cheese to cool completely and transfer to an airtight container, store in the fridge for 3-4 days.

To reheat leftover mac and cheese, transfer to a small over safe dish and bake at 350 degrees F until warm (this is my favorite way to reheat as the cracker topping stays crunchy). Leftovers could also be reheated in the microwave or in a skillet over medium heat.

Recipe FAQs

What are the three best cheeses for baked mac and cheese?

Cheddar, Monterey Jack, and Mozzarella are my top three cheeses for mac and cheese. They are mild varieties and melt down to a smooth consistency. Gruyere, Sharp cheddar, Parmesan, and Havarti are also goo options! I always try to shred my own cheese when possible.

Why is my baked mac and cheese not creamy?

There are a couple reasons why your mac and cheese may get dry while baking. One, if you use too much flour in your roux – this will make the sauce get to thick, make sure to measure flour with a measuring cup. Second, letting the sauce cook down too much – If your cheese sauce simmers too long it will thicken more than desired, if that happens, thin out with extra milk. Lastly, using store-bought shredded cheese – pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents which can impact the sauces texture, shred your own cheese when available.

What kind of milk is best for mac and cheese?

I recommend whole milk, it is rich but not too thick or heavy. Half and half or 2% milk would be my next suggestion. Skim milk can be too thin and heavy cream can be to thick.

How do I make my Cracker Barrel Inspired Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe ahead of time?

To make this baked mac and cheese ahead of time, prep the noodles and cheese sauce, combine and transfer to a casserole dish. Cover and store in the fridge until ready to serve (no more than 2 days). When time comes to serve remove from the fridge and let come to room temperature, prepare you cracker topping (I would not recommend making this ahead of time) and sprinkle over the mac and cheese. Bake according to recipe instructions and enjoy!

Additions & Recipe Variations

• Add-ins: transform this mac and cheese by adding in bacon bits, cubes of grilled chicken, steamed broccoli, spicy Italian sausage, roasted cauliflower, leftover rotisserie chicken, cooked meat, or topping with store-bought crispy fried onions!
• Noodles: make this dish with any type of noodle you desire (tubular pasta is recommended), stick with small shells or elbow macaroni for the classic looks. Or use cavatappi, penne, and mostaccioli noodles for a fun look! I don’t recommend using a long pasts like linguine, spaghetti, and lasagna as they do not hold onto the cheese sauce as well as others and can make this difficult to east.
• Cheese: get creative with the cheese you use, if you want to elevate your mac and use a shredded parmesan or aged white cheddar, those are delicious options. Or stick to the classics and use cheddar or Colby jack cheese.
• Topping: if you don’t want to use crackers for the crunchy topping, you can either leave the topping off or use bread crumbs or crushed corn flakes to create some texture.