Creamy Ranch Mac and Cheese

Name: Creamy Ranch Mac and Cheese
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 8 servings.
Ingredients: 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

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

Ingredients

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

Directions

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

1 cup: 433 calories, 17g fat (10g saturated fat), 49mg cholesterol, 766mg sodium, 51g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 2g fiber), 19g protein.

Originally published as Ranch Mac 'n' Cheese in Easy Back-to-School Meals

Reviews

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Average Rating:

luigimon

Aug 16, 2014

This was okay. Based off of dogcat_8's review, and my husband's own preference, I used 1-1/2 tsp of garlic powder, and 1 tsp of pepper.....left out the lemon completely. I'll make this again.....it's different. I wouldn't fix it for company though.
NancyPettis

Jul 28, 2014

It's easy to make and it taste great
dogcat_8

Apr 22, 2013

My family and I didn't enjoy this mac & cheese. First, I only made half the recipe, which was a good thing. The sauce (prior to adding the macaroni) was very liquidy and thin. I could not get it to thicken despite boiling it, so I had to add some flour to get it to thicken, which it did. The lemon pepper seasoning was too overpowering. I would have never guessed this was a Ranch mac & cheese, because all you could taste was the lemon pepper. The proportions were wrong to start with and the taste wasn't great. I definitely have WAY better mac & cheese recipes than this, so this is not a keeper.
Donalopez

Aug 25, 2012

mverygoody daugther made it an it was