Best 8 Creamy Ranch Mac And Cheese Recipes

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In the culinary world, the convergence of creamy ranch and mac and cheese marks a delectable union, resulting in a dish that tantalizes taste buds and satisfies cravings. This article embarks on a delicious journey to unearth the most extraordinary creamy ranch mac and cheese recipes, catering to diverse preferences and culinary skills. From classic stovetop renditions to innovative baked versions, explore a world of rich and comforting dishes that elevate the classic mac and cheese experience.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

RANCH MAC & CHEESE



Ranch Mac & Cheese image

I came up with the recipe for this creamy and satisfying macaroni and cheese, which has a special twist. My husband requests it often - it's hearty enough to serve as a main dish. -Michelle Rotunno, Independence, Missouri

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 30m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 package (16 ounces) elbow macaroni
1 cup 2% milk
1/4 cup butter, cubed
1 envelope ranch salad dressing mix
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1 teaspoon garlic pepper blend
1 teaspoon lemon-pepper seasoning
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1 cup shredded Colby cheese
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup crushed saltines
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Cook macaroni according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a Dutch oven, combine the milk, butter, dressing mix and seasonings; heat through. Stir in Monterey Jack and Colby cheeses until melted. Stir in sour cream., Drain macaroni; stir into cheese sauce with the saltines. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 488 calories, Fat 23g fat (14g saturated fat), Cholesterol 66mg cholesterol, Sodium 1357mg sodium, Carbohydrate 52g carbohydrate (5g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 18g protein.

RANCH MAC 'N CHEESE - CREAMY



Ranch Mac 'n Cheese - Creamy image

Hidden Valley® Ranch Seasoning adds a new dimension of flavor to this simple mac 'n cheese that's perfect for the whole family.

Provided by Hidden Valley Ranch

Categories     Trusted Brands: Recipes and Tips     Hidden Valley®

Time 20m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 pound gemelli pasta
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 tablespoons flour
3 cups whole milk
2 teaspoons Hidden Valley® Original Ranch® Salad Dressing & Seasoning Mix
2 cups grated sharp Cheddar cheese

Steps:

  • Cook pasta according to package directions, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  • While the pasta is cooking, heat the butter in a saucepan over medium heat until it begins to foam. Whisk in the flour until smooth and cook, whisking, for about 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the milk and Hidden Valley® Original Ranch® Seasoning Mix and cook, stirring, until thickened, about 5 minutes. Fold in the cheese and stir until melted. Add the cooked pasta and mix well. Serve hot.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 583.3 calories, Carbohydrate 65.1 g, Cholesterol 72.1 mg, Fat 25.9 g, Fiber 2.7 g, Protein 24 g, SaturatedFat 15.5 g, Sodium 296.2 mg, Sugar 8.3 g

RANCH MAC AND CHEESE BALLS



Ranch Mac and Cheese Balls image

Super cheesy mac 'n' cheese gets a boost from ranch seasoning, and then gets even better: It's deep-fried into crunchy and creamy golden-brown bites.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     appetizer

Time 2h25m

Yield 16 balls

Number Of Ingredients 14

2 cups whole milk
6 ounces elbow macaroni (about 1 1/2 cups)
4 ounces Monterrey Jack cheese, shredded (about 1 1/2 cups; see Cook's Note)
2 ounces part-skim mozzarella, shredded (about 2/3 cup; see Cook's Note)
1 ounce cream cheese, cut into small pieces
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
Two 1-ounce packets dry ranch seasoning (1/3 cup)
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
Vegetable oil, for frying
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup buttermilk

Steps:

  • Put the milk and macaroni in a small saucepan and bring the milk to a boil over medium heat, stirring frequently to keep the macaroni from clumping. Simmer until the macaroni is tender and the milk has thickened to the consistency of heavy cream, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove the saucepan from the heat, add the Monterrey Jack, mozzarella, cream cheese, butter, 1 packet of the ranch seasoning (8 teaspoons) and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and stir until smooth, thick and creamy. Transfer the mixture to a shallow bowl and cool to room temperature to stiffen up.
  • Meanwhile, put the flour, eggs and breadcrumbs into 3 separate shallow dishes and season each with salt and pepper.
  • Using a 1-ounce ice cream scoop or 2 tablespoons, scoop out balls of the cooled macaroni mixture and put them on a baking sheet. Roll each ball in your hand until smooth, then dredge in the flour, dip in the eggs to coat and roll in the breadcrumbs until completely covered. Put the balls back on the baking sheet and refrigerate until chilled, at least 1 hour.
  • Pour enough oil into a large heavy pot to come 2 inches up the side and attach a deep-frying thermometer to the pot. Heat the oil over medium heat to 360 degrees F.
  • Working in batches, fry the balls until golden brown on the outside and heated through inside, about 6 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, lift the balls from the oil and transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
  • Stir together the mayonnaise, buttermilk and remaining packet ranch seasoning in a small bowl until smooth. Transfer the mac 'n' cheese balls to a serving platter, drizzle with some of the dressing and serve with the remaining dressing on the side for dipping.

CREAMY RANCH MAC AND CHEESE



Creamy Ranch Mac and Cheese image

I came up with the recipe for this creamy and comforting macaroni and cheese with a ranch-flavored twist. My husband requests it often. -Michelle Rotunno, Independence, Missouri

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 30m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 package (16 ounces) elbow macaroni
1 cup 2% milk
2 tablespoons butter
4-1/2 teaspoons ranch salad dressing mix
1 teaspoon garlic pepper blend
1 teaspoon lemon-pepper seasoning
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1 cup shredded Colby cheese
1 cup reduced-fat sour cream
1/2 cup crushed Saltines
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Cook macaroni according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a Dutch oven, combine the milk, butter, dressing mix and seasonings; heat through. Stir in Monterey Jack and Colby cheeses until melted. Stir in sour cream., Drain macaroni; stir into cheese sauce with the Saltines. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 433 calories, Fat 17g fat (10g saturated fat), Cholesterol 49mg cholesterol, Sodium 766mg sodium, Carbohydrate 51g carbohydrate (6g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 19g protein.

ONE-POT RANCH MAC AND CHEESE



One-Pot Ranch Mac and Cheese image

Forget about boiling up a big pot of salted water. In this ultra-creamy recipe, the pasta cooks directly in the milk, creating a rich thick base for the sauce. Three kinds of cheese, plus fresh chives and dill give it the familiar fresh tang of our favorite ranch dressing.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     main-dish

Time 20m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

4 cups whole milk
12 ounces elbow macaroni (about 3 cups)
8 ounces Monterey Jack cheese, shredded (about 3 cups; see Cook's Note)
3 ounces part-skim mozzarella, shredded (about 1 cup; see Cook's Note)
2 ounces cream cheese, cut into small pieces
3/4 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
Large pinch cayenne pepper
Kosher salt
1/4 cup chopped fresh dill
1/4 cup chopped fresh chives

Steps:

  • Put the milk and macaroni in a large saucepan. Bring the milk to a boil over medium heat, stirring frequently to keep the macaroni from clumping. Continue to boil, stirring frequently, until the macaroni is tender and the milk has thickened to the consistency of heavy cream, 4 to 5 minutes.
  • Remove the saucepan from the heat, add the Monterey Jack cheese, mozzarella, cream cheese, sour cream, butter, cayenne and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and stir until smooth, thick and creamy. Fold in the dill and chives. Serve hot. (The dish will thicken as it cools; thin it out with a little hot water if desired.)

RANCH MAC 'N CHEESE



Ranch Mac 'n Cheese image

This mac 'n cheese gets a lift from the ordinary with Hidden Valley® Original Ranch® Dressing and grated Asiago cheese.

Provided by Hidden Valley Ranch

Categories     Trusted Brands: Recipes and Tips     Hidden Valley®

Time 30m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 7

3 cups gemelli pasta, uncooked
1 (5 ounce) can evaporated milk
1 cup Hidden Valley® Original Ranch® Salad Dressing
2 eggs, slightly beaten
3 cups grated Asiago cheese
½ cup unseasoned bread crumbs
2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Cook pasta according to package directions. Rinse and drain.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk evaporated milk, dressing and eggs together until smooth. Fold in the cheese. Add the cooked pasta and mix well. Spoon pasta mixture into an oiled 1 1/2-quart casserole. In a bowl, combine bread crumbs and melted butter. Sprinkle on top of pasta. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until the top is nicely browned and heated through.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 701.2 calories, Carbohydrate 51.7 g, Cholesterol 140.5 mg, Fat 43.1 g, Fiber 2.3 g, Protein 27.1 g, SaturatedFat 17.4 g, Sodium 1119.7 mg, Sugar 6.2 g

RANCH MAC AND CHEESE



Ranch Mac and Cheese image

Throw together a tasty dish in barely any time at all with our Ranch Mac and Cheese recipe. Two everyday ingredients and 15 minutes are all you need to make Ranch Mac and Cheese. Make sure the little ones are happy with some easy-to-make Ranch Mac and Cheese.

Provided by My Food and Family

Categories     Home

Time 15m

Yield 3 servings

Number Of Ingredients 2

1 pkg. (7.25 oz.) KRAFT Macaroni & Cheese Dinner
1/4 cup KRAFT Classic Ranch Dressing

Steps:

  • Prepare Dinner as directed on package.
  • Spoon into serving bowl.
  • Drizzle with dressing.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 420, Fat 22 g, SaturatedFat 5 g, TransFat 3.5 g, Cholesterol 15 mg, Sodium 800 mg, Carbohydrate 48 g, Fiber 2 g, Sugar 7 g, Protein 9 g

RANCH MAC & CHEESE



Ranch Mac & Cheese image

Variation of a recipe I found in Taste of Home Feb 2010. This is a easy stove top recipe that takes just a few minutes to cook.

Provided by invictus

Categories     Cheese

Time 25m

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 7

16 ounces elbow macaroni
1 cup milk
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 ounce ranch dressing mix
1 cup shredded monterey jack cheese
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup sour cream

Steps:

  • Cook macaroni according to package directions and drain.
  • In that same saucepan melt butter. Add the dressing mix and whisk until combined. Add in the milk and heat through. Stir in the cheeses until melted. Stir in sour cream.
  • Add macaroni back into cheese sauce and heat through.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 378, Fat 15.1, SaturatedFat 9.1, Cholesterol 38.4, Sodium 142.2, Carbohydrate 47.2, Fiber 1.9, Sugar 1.2, Protein 12.8

Tips:

  • Use a quality cheese. The better the cheese, the better the mac and cheese. Use a sharp cheddar cheese for a classic flavor, or try a combination of cheeses for a more complex flavor.
  • Cook the macaroni al dente. This means that it should be cooked through but still have a slight bite to it. Overcooked macaroni will be mushy and ruin the texture of the mac and cheese.
  • Make a roux. A roux is a mixture of butter and flour that is used to thicken the sauce. It helps to create a smooth and creamy sauce that coats the macaroni perfectly.
  • Use milk or cream. Milk is the traditional liquid used in mac and cheese, but you can also use cream for a richer flavor. If you are using cream, be sure to reduce the amount of butter in the roux.
  • Season the sauce. Salt and pepper are the basic seasonings for mac and cheese, but you can also add other spices and herbs to taste. Some popular additions include garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper.
  • Stir in the cheese. Once the sauce is thickened, stir in the cheese until it is melted and smooth. Be careful not to overcook the cheese, or it will become rubbery.
  • Serve immediately. Mac and cheese is best served immediately after it is made. If you need to make it ahead of time, you can store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When you are ready to serve, reheat it in the oven or microwave until it is heated through.

Conclusion:

Mac and cheese is a classic comfort food that is loved by people of all ages. It is a versatile dish that can be made with a variety of different ingredients. Whether you like your mac and cheese simple or loaded with extras, there is a recipe out there that is sure to please you. So next time you are looking for a delicious and easy meal, give mac and cheese a try. You won't be disappointed!

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