Hometown Buffet Macaroni & Cheese (Copycat) Recipe

Name: Hometown Buffet Macaroni & Cheese (Copycat)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: MACARONI; 3 quarts boiling water (unsalted); 2 cups dry elbow macaroni; CHEESE SAUCE; 2 tablespoons margarine; 1 1/3 cups skim milk (or 50% milk with 50% water); 1/8 teaspoon white pepper; 1 pinch cayenne pepper; 1 pinch garlic powder; 0.5 (8 ounce) jar Cheez Whiz or (15 ounce) jar Cheez Whiz; 8 ounces shredded medium cheddar; 2 tablespoons powdered parmesan cheese; CHEESE TOPPING; 1/3 cup shredded medium cheddar

Servings: persons

MACARONI
3 quarts boiling water (unsalted)
2 cups dry elbow macaroni
CHEESE SAUCE
2 tablespoons margarine
1 1/3 cups skim milk (or 50% milk with 50% water)
1/8 teaspoon white pepper
1 pinch cayenne pepper
1 pinch garlic powder
0.5 (8 ounce) jar Cheez Whiz or (15 ounce) jar Cheez Whiz
8 ounces shredded medium cheddar
2 tablespoons powdered parmesan cheese
CHEESE TOPPING
1/3 cup shredded medium cheddar

1
BOIL 3 quarts salt-free water in a 4-quart pot; ADD 2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni; SCRAPE bottom immediately with a wire whisk to avoid sticking; BOIL macaroni for 8-10 minutes.
2
POUR macaroni into colander in sink (remove all pasta from bottom of pot); RINSE macaroni and pot with cold water; ALLOW to drain.
3
RETURN empty pot to a new burner stovetop over medium-low heat; ADD 2 tablespoons margarine and allow to melt, then add 1 1/3 cups skim milk (or 50% milk with 50% water), 1/8 teaspoon white pepper, 1 pinch cayenne pepper, and 1 pinch garlic powder.
4
RAISE heat to medium until heated; ADD the contents of one (8 ounce) jar Cheez-Whiz (or half the contents of one 15-ounce jar), scraping all contents from jar using a flexible spatula; ADD 8 ounces shredded medium cheddar cheese.
5
WHISK mixture often without letting mixture boil, until thickened and glossy in appearance.
6
ADD rinsed drained macaroni; FOLD mixture together until well-blended.
7
POUR mixture into greased 8 x 8 baking dish.
8
BAKE at 300u00b0F for 15 minutes.
9
REMOVE from oven with oven mitts; SPRINKLE top with 1/3 cup shredded medium cheddar cheese; ALLOW to set just long enough for the cheese to melt.
10
SERVE and enjoy.

1035

kcal

Calories

Fat

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning before serving.
Avoid overcrowding the pan — cook in batches if needed for the best texture.
Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving so the flavors settle.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Feel free to swap in similar ingredients you already have on hand and adjust seasoning to taste.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

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How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 14 ingredients. The key ingredients include: MACARONI, 3 quarts boiling water (unsalted), 2 cups dry elbow macaroni, CHEESE SAUCE, and more.

Yes, Hometown Buffet Macaroni & Cheese (Copycat) falls under the Pasta & Noodles category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3–5 days. For longer storage, freeze for up to 3 months — no need to refrigerate or reheat.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

Hometown Buffet Macaroni & Cheese (Copycat)

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions