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 (13)Jen K says

    Oh my! My littlest would love this. He is a mac and cheese fanatic. And now I'm hungry 🙂

    Reply

  10. 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

  11. 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

  12. 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

  13. 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

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

    I love Mac and Cheese! yum.

    Reply

  15. 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

  16. 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

  17. 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

  18. 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

  19. 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

  20. 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

  21. 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

  22. 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

  23. 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

  24. 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

  25. 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

What type of cheese do noodles and companies use? ›

Nobody does Mac and Cheese better than Noodles & Company. Our world-famous Wisconsin Mac and Cheese is a classic, yummy blend of cheddar and jack cheeses, cream and elbow macaroni mixed together to create an ooey-gooey, cheesy celebration of tastes.

Did noodles change their mac and cheese? ›

(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.

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.

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.

What is the noodles and Co mac and cheese deal? ›

Order the $10 Mac & Cheese Meal Deal and receive a regular bowl of Wisconsin Mac & Cheese, an ice-cold Coca-Cola Freestyle® drink and a Rice Crispy treat.

Which cheese is best 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.

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.

What is corkscrew pasta called? ›

Cavatappi is macaroni formed in a helical tube shape. Cavatappi is the Italian word for corkscrew. Cavatelli resembles a tiny hot dog bun.

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.

How to keep mac and cheese creamy? ›

You want equal amounts of butter and flour by weight. This is key. Throw in too much flour, and sure the sauce might get thick, but it also might taste floury and be lumpy. Even if you get the roux right, use too much or reduce your sauce down too far, and the macaroni and cheese will turn out dry.

Which cheese is best for noodles? ›

Cream cheese: makes the noodles extra creamy! Grated cheese: parmesan or cheddar both work here!

Which cheeses are traditionally used with pasta? ›

The cheeses traditionally used are Gorgonzola, Gruyere, Parmigiano Reggiano and Taleggio. You'll get a result that is both delicate and intense, with some peppery notes that can be accented with some freshly ground pepper at the end.

What kind of cheese is good in instant noodles? ›

The best cheese to use with broth-based ramen is processed American sliced cheese, like Kraft Singles or something similar. This is why American cheese is so awesome on ramen. It may seem odd, but processed cheese possesses an ability to melt and stretch, which makes it a perfect topping for broth-based ramen.

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