Outback Steakhouse Mac And Cheese Recipe

A bowl of cheesy pasta garnished with black pepper and ready to eat.

Outback Steakhouse Mac And Cheese Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 20

Broil Time 2

Creamy, rich, and perfectly cheesy, this Outback Steakhouse Mac and Cheese Recipe features tender rigatoni pasta coated in a velvety cheese sauce and topped with crunchy seasoned breadcrumbs. An easy and satisfying comfort food classic.

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Servings

Ingredients

12 ounces rigatoni pasta
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 ½ cups whole milk
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
⅛ teaspoon paprika
½ pound Velveeta cheese cubed
Seasoned bread crumbs as desired (for garnish)

Instructions

Prepare the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rigatoni pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta thoroughly and set aside.
Create the Roux: In a large saucepan, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Gradually whisk in the all-purpose flour, stirring constantly for 1-2 minutes until the mixture is smooth and slightly thickened. This forms the base for the cheese sauce.
Develop the Cheese Sauce: Slowly pour in the whole milk while continuously whisking to avoid lumps. Add the kosher salt and paprika to the mixture. Continue to whisk until the sauce begins to thicken.
Incorporate the Cheese: Add the cubed Velveeta cheese to the thickened milk mixture. Stir gently until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce becomes creamy and smooth. If the sauce appears too thick, additional milk may be added in small increments to reach the desired consistency.
Combine Pasta and Cheese Sauce: Gently fold the cooked rigatoni pasta into the cheese sauce, ensuring each piece of pasta is evenly coated.
Garnish and Serve: Transfer the mac and cheese to a serving dish. Sprinkle the desired amount of seasoned bread crumbs over the top for added texture. For a golden crust, optionally place the dish under a broiler for 1-2 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.

Notes

To prepare this recipe gluten-free, substitute the rigatoni pasta with gluten-free pasta. Replace the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend suitable for thickening sauces. Additionally, ensure the seasoned bread crumbs are certified gluten-free, or omit them entirely if desired.

Nutrition

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