Copycat Applebee’s 4 Cheese Mac and Cheese with Bacon

May 1, 2025

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By Stephanie Manley Printed Could 1, 2025

My first encounter with Applebee’s 4 Cheese Mac and Cheese got here after a very grueling day of Christmas procuring. Exhausted and craving consolation, I wandered into the closest Applebee’s and ordered what appeared like the last word stress aid. That first forkful of creamy, multi-cheese sauce clinging to completely cooked pasta with smoky bacon crumbles was transformative. The wealthy mix of sharp, gentle, and nutty cheeses created a complexity I had by no means skilled in macaroni and cheese earlier than. For years afterward, it turned my celebration meal, my comfort meal, and my “simply because” deal with. After transferring to a city with out an Applebee’s, I spent months perfecting this copycat recipe, testing totally different cheese combos till I recreated that acquainted first-bite magic in my kitchen.

Copycat Applebee's four cheese mac and cheese in two bowls.

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What makes Applebee’s 4 Cheese Mac and Cheese so good?

If you’re an individual who judges the standard of a Mac ‘n Cheese by what number of types of cheeses are in it, you already know this Applebee’s 4 Cheese Mac and Cheese recipe is a winner. With Parmesan, Asiago, Monterey Jack, and two types of Cheddar, you’d be hard-pressed to search out something cheesier.

The cheeses are fastidiously chosen to deliver their distinctive textures and flavors to this dish, from wealthy and buttery to sharp and tangy. Issue within the smokiness from the bacon and the brightness of the herbs, and you find yourself with one addictively scrumptious Mac and Cheese meal.

Why you’ll need to do that recipe

The 4 Cheese Mac and Cheese Applebee’s serves is all in regards to the sauce. The wealthy, velvety sauce has a posh taste that’s surprisingly simple to tug off at dwelling, even if you’re not an ideal cook dinner.

You already know that Mac ‘n Cheese makes an ideal principal course, however it’s also an exquisite aspect to simply about some other entree. Which means you’ll be able to, and may, be making this recipe a few instances per week or extra—nobody will probably be complaining, belief me.

Elements and their position

Penne pasta – the majority of the dish. The tube form of penne is good as a result of it will possibly maintain the sauce.
Unsalted butter – provides richness and helps to kind the roux with flour.
Garlic – imparts a depth of taste to the sauce.
All-purpose flour – it thickens the sauce.
Heavy cream – offers richness to the sauce.
Complete milk – will increase the quantity of sauce with out making it overly wealthy like heavy cream.
Parmesan cheese – contributes a pointy and nutty taste to the sauce.
Asiago cheese – brings a tangy factor to the dish.
Monterey Jack cheese – melts nicely and provides gentle creaminess to the cheese sauce.
White Cheddar cheese – enlivens the sauce with a barely sharp taste with out altering the colour.
Salt (non-compulsory) – brings out the flavour of the sauce
Floor black pepper (non-compulsory) – lends a gentle spiciness to the recipe.
Bacon, cooked – provides a savory, meaty style to the dish.
Orange Cheddar cheese, shredded – tops every serving with much more tempting cheese.
Recent parsley, chopped -garnishes the dish with freshness and a pop of coloration.

Copycat Applebee's four cheese mac and cheese ingredients on a tray.

Easy methods to make 4 Cheese Mac and Cheese like Applebee’s

To organize 4 Cheese Mac and Cheese Applebee’s model:

Prepare dinner the pasta in well-salted water in response to the instructions on the bundle.
Whereas the pasta is cooking, begin making the sauce by melting the butter in a big saucepan (you’ll add the cooked pasta to the saucepan later) over medium warmth.
Mince the garlic and add it to the melted butter. Give it just a few stirs, however don’t brown it.
Sprinkle within the flour and whisk nicely till you kind a lightweight blonde roux, 1–2 minutes.
Whereas nonetheless whisking, pour within the heavy cream and complete milk. Proceed to whisk till the liquid begins to thicken barely, about 3–5 minutes.
Decrease the warmth, and whereas gently stirring, add the finely shredded cheeses, half a handful at a time. Proceed to stir till the cheese sauce is clean.
Style the cheese sauce and alter the style with salt and floor black pepper as wanted.
Drain the pasta and stir it into the cheese sauce.
Serve Applebee’s 4 Cheese Mac and Cheese sizzling with chopped bacon and orange Cheddar cheese as garnishes.

Making copycat Applebee's four cheese mac and cheese.

What to serve with Applebee’s 4-Cheese Mac

Deliver greens to the desk with these sides to assist spherical out the meal:

Steamed Inexperienced Beans. Simple to make, wholesome, and attractive, you’ll be able to’t go mistaken with Steamed Inexperienced Beans. This model of steamed inexperienced beans impressed by Outback Steakhouse has an ideal taste that may stand as much as Applebee’s Mac ‘n Cheese.

Panda Categorical Tremendous Greens. Pairing Chinese language meals with American Mac ‘n Cheese? Why not? Panda Categorical Tremendous Greens are a mixture of broccoli, kale, and cabbage in a lightweight sauce. It’s easy to make, tasty, and wholesome in addition!

Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts. Don’t flip up your nostril! Air-frying Brussels sprouts brings out a little bit of sweetness, which matches nice with the slight bitterness of the charred edges. Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts are extremely versatile. Received a bit of additional bacon bits and Parmesan? Toss them with the recent Brussels sprouts for a tremendous variation.