Looking for crispy cheesy pasta? Immerse yourself in a rich and velvety cheese blend that features the boldness of sharp cheddar and the creaminess of Gouda with Outback Steakhouse Mac and Cheese Recipe.

What’s better than having a bowl of mac and cheese and enjoying your favorite TV show, a soccer match, or a film? And if it’s mac and cheese from Outback Steakhouse, believe me, this is going to be a crazy combo!

Outback Steakhouse mac and cheese promises an exquisite balance of flavors that bring your palate joy and content. The silky texture and spices together bring about an irresistible combination.

And adding the crispy breadcrumbs accomplishes the mission of being the perfect recipe ever. So try this cheesy pasta on the weekend and surprise your family!

What Will You Love About This Recipe

The rich and creamy texture of cheeses paired with the crispiness of panko breadcrumbs just brings perfect satisfaction to your taste buds.

Along with the ultimate texture, it is filled with aromatic spices that will bless the pasta with a flavor to accompany the best texture duo. Let’s dive into its goodness together!

Ingredients

To make Outback Steakhouse Mac and Cheese, you need the ingredients in the following quantities:

For The Seasoned Breadcrumbs:

Bread crumbs = ½ cup
Olive oil = 1-½ tsp
Onion powder = ⅛ tsp
Garlic powder = ⅛ tsp
Smoked paprika = ⅛ tsp
Black pepper powder = ⅛ tsp

For Mac and Cheese:

Cavatappi pasta = 16 oz
Gouda cheese = 1 cup, shredded
Sharp cheddar cheese = 2 cups, shredded
Milk = ½ cup
Butter = 2 tbsp
Heavy cream = 1 cup
All purpose flour = 1 tbsp
Onion powder = ⅛ tsp
Ground nutmeg = ⅛ tsp
Garlic powder = ⅛ tsp
Paprika = ½ tsp
Cayenne pepper = ⅛ tsp
Salt = ½ tsp
Black pepper powder = ¼ tsp

Instructions for Making Outback Steakhouse Mac and Cheese Recipe

Following is the detailed description of the method on how to make Outback Steakhouse Mac and Cheese:

Step 1

Take a small bowl or container and add onion powder, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika. Mix them well to make the outback seasoning.

Step 2

Take another bowl and add bread crumbs and spices to it. Mix them. Then take a skillet and heat the olive oil on high flame. Then add the breadcrumbs mixture to the hot oil and toast it until it is browned and aromatic. Take out the crispy crumbs and place them aside.

Step 3

Take a saucepan and add 8 cups of water to it. On medium-high heat, boil the water. Then add some salt and pasta to the boiling water. Stir gently and cook the pasta until it is just ready. You can also cook the pasta according to the instructions written on the package. After cooking, drain the pasta and place it aside.

Step 4

Take a large skillet and add butter to it. Melt the butter on a medium-high heat. Then add all-purpose flour to the melted butter, stir, and cook until medium brown roux has been formed. It will take about 60-80 seconds.

Step 5

Then add heavy cream and the outback seasoning in the roux. Keep cooking on a medium heat while stirring continuously. It will take about 5 minutes until the mixture is aromatic, thickened a little bit, and is bubbling.

Step 6

When the mixture achieves this state, remove the skillet from the heat. Gradually add the shredded cheese to the piping hot mixture and keep stirring until it is melted completely and a smooth consistency has been attained. It takes approximately 2 minutes. Cheese sauce is ready at this point.

Step 7

Fold in the cooked pasta in the prepared cheese sauce and combine until the sauce is evenly distributed.

Step 8

Outback Steakhouse Mac and Cheese is ready. Serve it after garnishing it with crispy breadcrumbs and some parsley leaves. Bon Appetit!

FAQs

Can I use some other pasta in this recipe?

Sure, you are free to use any type of pasta in this recipe. Cavatapi pasta is used because its spiral can hold the cheese sauce well and provide you with a rich flavor.

Can I store and reheat the mac and cheese?

Absolutely! If you have leftovers, just store them in an airtight box in the refrigerator. For reheating, add some milk to the pasta and then reheat it however you want. Adding milk prevents the pasta from getting dry and retains its creaminess.

How can I prevent the panko breadcrumbs from getting soggy?

To retain the crisp of panko breadcrumbs and prevent their sogginess, sprinkle them on the pasta just before serving. It will help to keep them crispy for a short period until they are successfully consumed crispy.