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Yard House Mac and Cheese Recipe
Capri Koch

Yard House mac and cheese Recipe

Make the famous Yard House Mac and Cheese Recipe at home with tender pasta, creamy three-cheese sauce, crispy bacon, mushrooms, grilled chicken, and toasted breadcrumbs. This easy copycat recipe tastes just like the restaurant favorite.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Resting Time 5 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: Comfort Food, copycat recipes, dinner, Pasta
Cuisine: American
Calories: 760
Ingredients Equipment Method Video Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta
  • 1 lb Cavatappi Pasta Campanelle also works
  • 1 tsp Salt For boiling water
Chicken
  • 2 cups Chicken Breast Grilled and diced
  • 1 tbsp Olive Oil Cooking chicken
  • ½ tsp Garlic Powder Seasoning
  • ½ tsp Black Pepper Fresh ground
  • ½ tsp Salt
Bacon & Mushrooms
  • 6 slices Bacon Cooked crispy
  • 8 oz Cremini Mushrooms Sliced
  • 2 tbsp Butter Sauté mushrooms
Cheese Sauce
  • 4 tbsp Butter
  • ¼ cup All-Purpose Flour
  • 3 cups Whole Milk Warm
  • 1 cup Heavy Cream Rich texture
  • 2 cups Sharp Cheddar Freshly shredded
  • 1 cup Monterey Jack Freshly shredded
  • ½ cup Gorgonzola Cheese Signature flavor
  • ½ cup Parmesan Cheese Fresh grated
  • 1 tsp Garlic Powder
  • ½ tsp Onion Powder
  • ½ tsp Black Pepper
  • ½ tsp Salt Adjust later
  • 1 tsp White Truffle Oil Optional but authentic
Breadcrumb Topping
  • 1 cup Panko Breadcrumbs Toasted
  • 2 tbsp Butter Melted
  • 2 tbsp Parmesan Cheese Mixed in
Garnish
  • 2 tbsp Fresh Parsley Chopped
  • ¼ cup Parmesan Cheese Extra topping

Equipment

  • 1 Large Stock Pot Cook pasta
  • 1 Large Skillet Cook chicken & mushrooms
  • 1 Saucepan Prepare cheese sauce
  • 1 Whisk Smooth béchamel sauce
  • 1 Wooden spoon Stir cheese sauce
  • 1 Baking Dish Optional for broiling
  • 1 Cheese grater Fresh cheese melts better
  • 1 Measuring Cups Accurate ingredients
  • 1 Measuring spoons Seasonings

Method
 

  1. Step 1

    Cook the pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside.

  2. Step 2

    Season chicken with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Grill or pan-sear until fully cooked. Dice into bite-sized pieces.

  3. Step 3

    Cook bacon until crispy. Crumble into small pieces.

  4. Step 4

    Sauté mushrooms in butter until browned and tender.

  5. Step 5

    In a saucepan melt butter. Whisk in flour and cook for one minute.

  6. Step 6

    Slowly whisk in warm milk and heavy cream until smooth.

  7. Step 7

    Cook until the sauce thickens.

  8. Step 8

    Reduce heat and gradually stir in cheddar, Monterey Jack, Gorgonzola, and Parmesan until melted.

  9. Step 9

    Season with garlic powder, onion powder, pepper, salt, and white truffle oil.

  10. Step 10

    Fold in cooked pasta until completely coated

  11. Step 11

    Mix in grilled chicken, bacon, and sautéed mushrooms.

  12. Step 12

    Transfer to a baking dish.

  13. Step 13

    Mix breadcrumbs with butter and Parmesan.

  14. Step 14

    Sprinkle over the mac and cheese.

  15. Step 15

    Broil for 2–3 minutes until golden.

  16. Step 16

    Serve immediately with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan.

Video

Notes

Chef Tips

  • Always shred cheese from a block for smoother melting.
  • Warm the milk before adding it to the roux.
  • Cook pasta just until al dente.
  • White truffle oil gives the closest Yard House flavor.
  • Don't boil the cheese sauce after adding the cheese.

Storage

Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Reheating

Add a splash of milk before reheating to restore creaminess.

Freezing

Freeze for up to 2 months.

Make Ahead

Prepare the entire recipe one day ahead and bake just before serving.