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Copycat Applebee's Four Cheese Mac and Cheese
Applebee's Four Cheese Mac and Cheese with Honey Pepper Chicken Tenders is a creamy, indulgent pasta bake loaded with four cheeses and topped with crispy, sweet-heat chicken.
copycat · applebees · casual-dining · pasta
🕑Prep15 min
🍳Cook25 min
⏱Total40 min
🍽Serves4
⭐DifficultyMedium
Ingredients
- 12 ounces cavatappi or elbow pasta
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup shredded white cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup crumbled Gorgonzola cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon dry mustard powder
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon melted butter (for topping)
Instructions
- 1.Cook the pasta. Boil the cavatappi in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- 2.Build the cheese sauce. Melt 3 tablespoons butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes. Slowly whisk in the milk and cook for 4-5 minutes until thickened.
- 3.Add the four cheeses. Remove from heat. Stir in the white cheddar, Parmesan, mozzarella, and Gorgonzola. Keep stirring until all cheeses are melted and the sauce is smooth.
- 4.Season the sauce. Add the salt, pepper, garlic powder, and dry mustard powder. Taste and adjust — the Gorgonzola adds a tangy punch, so you may not need extra salt.
- 5.Combine with pasta. Fold the drained pasta into the cheese sauce until completely coated. Transfer to a baking dish.
- 6.Add the crispy top. Toss the panko breadcrumbs with 1 tablespoon melted butter. Sprinkle over the mac and cheese. Broil for 2-3 minutes until the breadcrumbs are golden and crunchy.
- 7.Serve hot. Let cool for 3 minutes before serving. The sauce will thicken slightly as it rests, reaching the perfect consistency.
Copycat Applebee’s Four Cheese Mac and Cheese
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Applebee’s Four Cheese Mac and Cheese is their take on an elevated comfort food classic. Instead of a simple cheddar sauce, they use a blend of white cheddar, Parmesan, mozzarella, and Gorgonzola — each cheese contributing a different dimension. The white cheddar provides the creamy base, Parmesan adds sharpness, mozzarella brings the stretch, and the Gorgonzola gives it a tangy, slightly funky edge that keeps your palate interested.
The broiled panko breadcrumb topping adds a crucial textural contrast — crunchy golden crumbs against the creamy, cheesy pasta underneath.
Four Cheese Strategy
- Gorgonzola is the wild card. A little goes a long way. Too much and it overpowers everything. The 1/4 cup in this recipe adds complexity without making the whole dish taste like blue cheese.
- White cheddar, not yellow. White cheddar has a sharper, tangier flavor that works better with the other three cheeses. Yellow cheddar makes it taste more like standard mac and cheese.
- The breadcrumb topping is non-negotiable. Panko gives you better crunch than regular breadcrumbs because the flakes are larger and more irregularly shaped. Toss them in butter first for golden color and flavor.
Applebee’s vs. Your Kitchen
This dish costs about $14-16 at Applebee’s. The homemade version serves four for about $10 total — roughly $2.50 per generous serving. The Gorgonzola is the most expensive ingredient, but a little goes a long way.
