J Alexanders Mac and Cheese Recipe (2024)

Jump to Recipe

Make our J. Alexander’s Mac and Cheese Recipe at home tonight for your family. With our Secret Restaurant Recipe your Mac & Cheese will taste just like J. Alexander’s.

J Alexanders Mac and Cheese Recipe (1)

Photo by Helen Graves

J. Alexander’s Mac and Cheese

Print Pin Recipe

J. Alexander's Mac and Cheese Recipe

Make our J. Alexander's Mac and Cheese Recipe at home tonight for your family. With our Secret Restaurant Recipe your Mac & Cheese will taste just like J. Alexander's.

Course: Kid Favorite, Side Dish

Keyword: J. Alexander's

Ingredients

  • 6 cups Chicken Stock
  • 2 cubes Chicken Bouillon/base
  • 2 cups 8 ounces Cavatappi (also called Cellentani or Double Elbows, is macaroni formed in a spiral tube shape with ridges)
  • 3 tablespoons Olive Oil
  • 2 teaspoons Lemon Juice
  • 1 teaspoon Sugar
  • 3 tablespoons Butter — divided plus extra for greasing pan
  • 2 tablespoons Flour
  • 1 cup Heavy Cream
  • 1/2 cup Sour Cream
  • 1/2 cup Half and Half
  • 1/2 small Red Onion — minced and sauteed in a bit of butter
  • 1/2 teaspoon of minced Garlic sauteed with onion
  • 1 teaspoon Cholula Brand Hot Sauce more if you prefer a spicy kick
  • 2 1/4 cups fresh grated Gruyere cheese divided
  • 1/2 cup fresh grated Parmigiano-Reggiano Cheese Super expensive - but oh, so worth it!
  • Freshly ground Black Pepper No extra Salt. There is plenty of Salt in the chicken stock, bouillon and cheese
  • 1/2 cup Panko

Instructions

  • Bring 6 cups chicken stock and 1 1/1 cubes chicken base/bouillon to rolling boil in medium saucepan.

  • Add macaroni and cook until al dente, 8 to 10 minutes.

  • Drain and put in large bowl, toss with olive pomace oil and lemon juice.

  • Melt 2 tablespoons butter in large saucepan over medium-low heat.

  • Whisk in flour and cook, whisking constantly, 3 minutes.

  • Gradually whisk in heavy cream, half n half, and sour cream.

  • Stir in sautéed onion and garlic mixture, , sugar and Tabasco.

  • Simmer gently, stirring often, 15 minutes.

  • Remain on low heat and stir in 1 1/2 cups of Gruyere and Parmesan cheese.

  • Season to taste with pepper.

  • Stir in macaroni. Pour half of mixture into greased, deep 1 1/2-quart baking dish (or 3 - 4 ramekins) and sprinkle with 1/2 of remaining cheese mixture.

  • Top with remaining macaroni and remaining cheese mixture.

  • Melt remaining 1 tablespoon butter and 1/2 cube chicken base in small skillet over medium heat.

  • Add panko and toss to coat. (Don’t brown in pan)

  • Sprinkle buttered panko and over top of macaroni.

  • Bake at 350: F. until panko is lightly browned, about 25 - 30 minutes.

  • Let stand 5 minutes before serving. Makes 4 servings.

Follow Us to Get ALL of Our Latest Recipes

.

Just Follow Us on on Your Favorite Social Media Sites and Never Miss a New Recipe.

Stay in Touch, Get More Recipes from All of Our Sites and Help Us Spread the Word about Secret Copycat Restaurant Recipes to All Your Friends.

Thank You.

The Mac + Cheese Cookbook 50 Simple Recipes from Homeroom, America’s Favorite Mac and Cheese Restaurant

J Alexanders Mac and Cheese Recipe (8)A fun and playful cookbook featuring retro, decadent, and kid-friendly mac-and-cheese recipes from the popular Oakland restaurant Homeroom.

Macaroni and cheese is one of America’s favorite comfort foods, beloved by kids and adults alike. But there’s no need to rely on prefab mixes—all you need is a handful of kitchen staples, some tasty cheese, and a little insider advice courtesy of Homeroom restaurant. This perennially popular Oakland, California, eatery—with its entire menu devoted to mac and cheese—now shares its secrets for the best-ever mac recipes.

These inventive dishes offer something for everyone: nostalgic homestyle recipes like Tuna Mac, international varieties like Sriracha Mac, decadent delights like Truffle Mac, and even the logic-defying Vegan Mac. You’ll also find recipes for quick veggie sides like Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and old-school desserts like frozen Peanut Butter Pie.

Click HERE Now to get The Mac + Cheese Cookbook: 50 Simple Recipes from Homeroom, America’s Favorite Mac and Cheese RestaurantJ Alexanders Mac and Cheese Recipe (9)

Related Recipes:

Click on any Name below for the Recipe

  • Michael Symon’s Bacon Mac and Cheese
  • J. Alexander’s Carrot Cake
  • KFC Mac and Cheese Recipe
  • The Black-Eyed Pea Broccoli-Cheese Soup
  • Famous Dave’s Shakin’ the Shack Potato Salad
  • Bennigan’s Garlic Mashed Potatoes Recipe
  • Cafe Rio Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe
  • Cheesecake Factory Avocado Egg Rolls Recipe
  • Famous Dave’s Baked ‘Wilbur’ Beans Recipe
  • Texas Roadhouse Fried Pickles Recipe
  • Cracker Barrel Fried Apples Recipe
  • Bennigan’s Cheese and Bacon Potato Skins Recipe
  • Chipotle Lime Rice Recipe
  • Golden Corral Brass Bakery Yeast Rolls Recipe
  • Applebee’s Chardonnay Mushrooms Recipe
  • Cracker Barrel Baby Carrots Recipe
  • Heston Blumenthal’s Triple-Cooked Chips Recipe
  • MORE Great Recipes Coming Soon!

Photo of Mac n’ Cheeese is by Helen Graves and Food Stories and is used by permission under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0) License. Thank you, Helen. Great Picture. Photos may be “representative” of the recipe and not the actual finished dish. All photo licenses listed were correct at the time of the posting of the page. Additional Information Courtesy of Wikipedia and is used by permission.

Please use the Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest or Email Buttons below to SHARE our J. Alexander’s Mac and Cheese Recipe with your Friends!

It only takes a minute and they will love you for it!

Thank You!

J Alexanders Mac and Cheese Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What to add to a box of mac and cheese to make it better? ›

It's very easy to adapt. We like to ad cream cheese and/or sour cream, a little spicy brown mustard, and whatever cheese we have on hand. Sometimes we ad ground beef, ground turkey, sliced ot dogs or bacon, but its the rits topping on the top that makes it sooo good.

How to make boxed mac and cheese taste like home made? ›

To improve the tang and overall cheesiness of your boxed mac, add 2 to 3 tablespoons of plain Greek yogurt to the cooked and drained pasta while it's still warm. Toss to combine, then stir in the cheese powder until it's uniformly blended.

Can I use yogurt instead of milk for mac and cheese? ›

Finally, using a plain yogurt is one of the best options for replacing milk in kraft mac and cheese! A plain whole milk yogurt or a greek yogurt would work well. Mix it in the same way you'd mix in sour cream, until it is well incorporated. This may have a slightly tangier flavor, but that is a personal preference.

How to make mac and cheese taste better? ›

Here are five tips to elevate your next dinner to include extra flavor and texture.
  1. Add extra cheese to your dish.
  2. Mix in some hot sauce and chicken to make buffalo chicken mac n' cheese.
  3. Add in vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower and spinach.
  4. Sprinkle some bacon bits or breadcrumbs on the top of your dish.
May 21, 2022

How do you amplify boxed mac and cheese? ›

Here are a few of my favorite ways to upgrade boxed mac and cheese in three ingredients or fewer:
  1. Broccoli + Shredded Chicken. ...
  2. Bacon + Peas + Egg. ...
  3. Garlic + Pickled Jalapeños. ...
  4. Mushrooms + Thyme + Grated Gruyère. ...
  5. Pesto + Sun-Dried Tomatoes. ...
  6. Kimchi + Bacon + Chopped Scallions. ...
  7. Cherry Tomatoes + Basil + Mozzarella.

What makes mac and cheese taste so good? ›

Great mac n' cheese needs one or more cheeses that melt well, and one or more cheeses that bring the flavor. The best melters include monterey jack, fontina, baby swiss, asiago, provolone, mozzarella, and alpine-style. Cheeses for flavor: cheddar, havarti, smoked gouda, gorgonzola, feta and any other of your favorites.

Why do you add flour to homemade mac and cheese? ›

You can thicken cheese sauce further by adding more flour or even using a couple of teaspoons of cornstarch. In a small bowl, dissolve the cornstarch or flour with a cup of water. The cold water will create a slurry. Stir the slurry into the cheese sauce over medium heat, and let the sauce boil and thicken.

Why does my homemade mac and cheese taste bland? ›

Try adding a little more salt first, because that might fix it. If the problem was the cheese you use doesn't have much flavor, then try adding some other flavors, such has mustard or hot sauce. The next time you make it, try to find some more strongly flavor cheese, or adding more cheese.

Is regular milk or evaporated milk better for mac and cheese? ›

Key #2: Use Evaporated Milk

Evaporated milk is a highly concentrated source of milk protein micelles—bundles of proteins that can act as powerful emulsifying agents—which help to keep the sauce creamy and smooth.

What kind of milk is best for mac and cheese? ›

Milk: Keeps our cheese sauce super creamy. I use whole milk or reduced-fat milk. Mustard and spices: A combination of Dijon mustard, nutmeg, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and salt makes this macaroni and cheese extra delicious. Cheese: I use white cheddar and parmesan or pecorino cheese.

What happens if you use water instead of milk in mac and cheese? ›

Water actually works perfectly well as a milk substitute in mac and cheese. It adds all the liquid you need, though it doesn't have the creaminess or flavor that other substitutes add. However, if you add a little pasta water, instead of plain tap water, to your cheese sauce, you might get better results.

What not to do when making mac and cheese? ›

The 5 Biggest Mac & Cheese Mistakes
  1. Using Only Cheddar cheese. Because macaroni and cheese is English in origin, you might be tempted to make it with only cheddar cheese. ...
  2. Not Adding Spice and Seasoning with Salt. The flavor of the cheese is enhanced with spice. ...
  3. Choosing the Wrong Pasta. ...
  4. Overcooking. ...
  5. Skimping on the Toppings.
May 21, 2020

What are the three best cheeses 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.

How does Gordon Ramsay make the best mac and cheese? ›

Gordon Ramsay's mac and cheese is a simplified recipe. Just boil pasta in milk and then, add butter, cheese, salt, and pepper to it. Merge all the elements and Gordon Ramsay's mac and cheese will be ready in no time.

How do you ramp up boxed mac and cheese? ›

Take boxed mac and cheese to the next level by experimenting with different combination of add-ins. Adding cold butter to the sauce and baking the mac in the oven helps with both texture and flavor. Incorporating things like real cheese, bacon, or leftover veggies can turn boxed mac and cheese into a full meal.

How do you make leftover box mac and cheese better? ›

Add 1 tablespoon of milk per cup of mac and cheese and mix to incorprate as much as possible. *If you'd like to add more creaminess and flavor, substitute half-and-half or cream. 3. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and place in the oven at 350°F for 20-30 minutes, or until heated through.

What can I use in box mac and cheese instead of milk? ›

10 Substitutes For Milk In Mac And Cheese
  1. Almond Milk. Almond milk is a popular plant-based milk that's a great substitute for regular cow's milk. ...
  2. Soy Milk. Soy milk is another popular dairy-free milk option. ...
  3. Oat Milk. ...
  4. Coconut milk. ...
  5. Rice Milk. ...
  6. Cashew Milk. ...
  7. Hemp Seed Milk. ...
  8. Chicken Broth.
Jul 17, 2023

How to make Annie's mac and cheese better? ›

On a baking sheet, toss sausage, tomatoes & smashed garlic with a glug of olive oil and season with salt & pepper. Place in the oven and cook for 25-30 minutes, or until sausage is thoroughly cooked. Cut up sausage and stir into prepared mac & cheese with tomatoes, garlic, fresh chopped basil and ovoline mozzarella.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Greg Kuvalis

Last Updated:

Views: 5400

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (55 voted)

Reviews: 94% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Greg Kuvalis

Birthday: 1996-12-20

Address: 53157 Trantow Inlet, Townemouth, FL 92564-0267

Phone: +68218650356656

Job: IT Representative

Hobby: Knitting, Amateur radio, Skiing, Running, Mountain biking, Slacklining, Electronics

Introduction: My name is Greg Kuvalis, I am a witty, spotless, beautiful, charming, delightful, thankful, beautiful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.