The stress that swirls around me lately (getting ready to plant the vineyard being the main cause), and the many other responsibilities I have lurking, makes me crave comfort food. I am so lucky to have some amazing support systems in place, allowing me to bounce things off of them constantly. However, it doesn't take away my pining for comforting, cheesy macaroni.
I wanted something more than the "boxed" stuff my kids insist upon. I wanted lots of cheese, creaminess and flavor. I found it all in this recipe. Not to mention I love ranch dressing, so what could be better than to combine it all here.
This could easily be turned into a meal by shredding in rotisserie chicken. I think that will be my plan next time. Until then I will comfort my cravings with this cheesy dish. It works for me. I think it will work for you too.
Begin by shredding your Monterey Jack, Colby and Parmesan cheeses.
Cook macaroni according to package directions, however, do not use salt in the pasta water.
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.
Every bite is packed with flavor.
Ranch Mac & Cheese
Adapted from Taste of Home
1 package (16 oz.) elbow macaroni
1 cup milk (I used whole)
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 (4 oz.) shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1 cup (4 oz.) shredded Colby cheese
1 cup (8 oz.) sour cream
1/2 cup crushed saltines
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Begin by shredding your Monterey Jack, Colby and Parmesan cheeses.
Cook macaroni according to package directions, however, do not use salt in the pasta water. 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.
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Oh my..I would have never thought to put ranch mix in mac and cheese!!!! delish
Voila!
I was just sitting here wondering what to cook on Saturday night and I think this is it! I’m either going to serve it with turkey burgers sans buns, or, like you suggested, with shredded rotisserie chicken combined with it.
yum!
Oh my!! This is on my list to make next week. And the coffee cake is getting made on Sunday!! You are AMAZING!!!
I want to dump ranch into my mac…that sounds delicious!!!
Now that is a cheese sauce to be admired!
Yum, that really looks and sounds good! Unfortunately, my husband doesn’t like mac n cheese–maybe I’ve just never made the right kind. Maybe this could be it!?
You know, I really like to think of you as my personal magician. I sure hope you don’t mind
This recipe looks nothing short of amazing!
Oh sweet Jesus I must have this!!
You won me over hook, line, and sinker when I saw that cheese dripping from the spoon! Oh lawd almighty!!!
Wow! I’m craving comfort foods in a MAJOR way right now. In addition to work related stress, I’m trying to lose a few pounds and it takes every ounce of will power I have to resist dishes like this. I’m bookmarking for future reference.
OH YES PLEASE!! This will work for me like nothing else…and how! Gorgeous Cathy!!
Sigh. For a girl who cannot have dairy or gluten these days, this breaks my heart…the good news is that wine is A-okay!
Wow, My Daughter will be coming home from College to celebrate her Birthday and I can’t wait to make this for her. She is a huge homemade mac and cheese fan! Many thanks for sharing, it looks delish!
Still the ultimate comfort food!
Fooood! Looks awesome!
I’ve been craving mac and cheese like CRAZY. I mean, like seriously, I want some of that right now.
Well now, doesn’t this look comfortable! YUM…….
Jesus, Mary & Joseph and all the apostles and saints, I want it…want it bad!! Making it tomorrow!
I love the dressing mix in here. Fabulous way to jazz it up!! Delicious!
Mac and Cheese is the wonder dish! Creamy and delicious. With ranch and all of those cheeses – we have died and gone to heaven!
If I was at your house I would have to lick that dish:) Looks delicious and I like the addition of the ranch and the saltines. I made a new mac n cheese recipe this week but it was nothing special and this one sounds and looks like I need to make this.
Jocye
The dressing mix is a fantastic way to jazz things up! Delicious!
Would never have thought of putting ranch in mac and cheese. What a perfect combo!
Gasp. I’m in.
Cheesy deliciousness!
Your photos are getting better and better and more and more tempting. I want this dish right now. YUM!
Classic comforting meal. Looks really delicious Cathy!
Dishes like your mac n’ cheese make me feel 10 years old again. This looks wonderful, Cathy.
Wow the sauce looks amazing! I’m saving this recipe as we are the biggest fans of homemade mac and cheese.
Oh don’t do this to me…I love Mac & Cheese but am surrounded by family that is severely ( as in almost crippling ) lactose intolerant or unable to consume the calories due to the risk of extreme weight gain. I think Mac & Cheese must be one of the world’s best comfort foods…
looks so yummy & cheesy!!! love the photo with the cheese stringing down from the spoon. makes me want to grab the spoon and clean it off for you!
I haven’t had mac and cheese for a long time, but these photos make me want some. Now. Easy to make gluten free, by using gluten-free noodles and subbing for saltines (I like to use gf waffle crumbs). Adding chicken to turn this into a meal sounds perfect to me!
Shirley
I am at a loss for words. I love mac and cheese. I love ranch dressing. I think I might pass out right now.
don’t let stress bog ya down, cathy! if that means eating more comfort foods such as this, so be it. lovely idea and recipe.
We’re all ranch dressing fans here so this will be a winner for sure. Who doesn’t love mac and cheese!
I just stumbled onto your site a few days ago and just about lost my mind with all of the fantastic things I am dying to make. I’ve read other similar blogs, but yours is incredible! Normally, I wouldn’t say anything, but this mac and cheese recipe put it over the top.
Have a great Friday!
Can’t wait to hear more about the creation of your vineyard!
Wow – what a great idea! Looks full of flavor and cheesy goodness.
I love macaroni and cheese and yours looks so creamy and delicious!!! Nice photo!
At last! A mac ‘n cheese recipe I can actually make! No pulled pork! No 11 cheeses! Perfect. And enticing.
Sadly, my family hates homemade macaroni and cheese, forcing me to consume the entire dish myself. Of course I found this out after I had made it. While I could eat it all…I have to control myself not to. I literally ate it every day for lunch (and a couple of times for dinner) for a week and still had some left over!
This certainly looks yummy, but I will have to make a smaller amount just for me
this is what to eat when you have a bad day…clearly!
Heh, my girlfriend insists on the boxed crap too. But that looks amazing! Love the sour cream in there.
Oh man – my two favorite things. Ranch dressing and cheese. Holy cow I am making this tonight – perfect veg-movie night dish.
Lordy Cathy that looks good, reeeeeeal good.
I LOVE mac and cheese with ranch! Normally I just dump some ranch dressing into my mac and cheese…since a few members in my family are not quite as found of ranch as I am (crazies I say! LOL). This looks absolutely delicious!
How exciting! I can’t wait to hear all about the vinyard and good lord that mac and cheese looks so fabulous. I usually make my own, but that Kraft Boxed kind is so yummy, I think it’s got drugs in it.
or maybe just a lot of msg
Is there some way to print just your recipes without printing the whole article for the day?
I really want to print the cake recipe.
I adore mac and cheese. I will add this to the ranks for my mac and cheese war.
It’s good you have that support system! I was thinking you got maybe 20 minutes of sleep a day.
And that surely is comfort food if I’ve ever seen it! Delish!
How I wish my hubs eat mac and cheese! Looks so good!
Absolutely FABULOUS!
I sure understand the need for comfort food these days. That looks so good.
I can’t think of a better combination. I am pretty sure I used to pour ranch on my mac and cheese at Luby’s when I was in college. This at least is more graceful;) Great post as always!
Ranch makes even good dishes just that much better. Yum!
I did a dish like this a few months ago, but it called for cubed ham which was pretty good. I think the chicken would be better! I love the ranch-y taste that it had!
This looks delicious! I’m not so sure my guys will eat it. But I’m gonna try!
Today is Sunday, January 31st and it is 4 degrees outside. That’s 4 F not 4 C. Comfort food is a must on days like this which is why I made this mac-n-cheese. It’s soooooooooooo good!!!! I plan to make this again and again. However, I would advise for those that live along, do not make a whole batch or you will be eating it until the cows come home.
Thanks for the recipe(s).
gonna give it a try
I got a call from my mom the other day asking me if I had seen that wonderful Mac and Cheese recipe at Noble Pig. I guess that was a hint that I need to make this for her!
Thanks for sharing this recipe. Nice pictures as well. Anyway, I love Nac’n Cheese and feel hungry now!
Cheers,
Carsten
food social network
This sounds wonderful! How many servings would you say this makes? I’m hoping to adapt it for weight watchers (reduced fat, etc) so I can still try this yummy goodness but not go too crazy.
OMG. Just made the mac and cheese. Added just a bit more cheese and baked for about 15 minute. The best thing I’ve EVER eaten.
Noble Pig:
I made your Ranch Mac and Cheese tonight and it was beyond STELLAR. I am a M&C Queen. And have been on the ultimate quest for my favorite m&c recipe to cook – I think I’ve found the one. You ROCK.
Peace, Love & Mac N Cheese.
Allie
I don’t have a Dutch oven, can I just use a pot on the stove instead?
Just make sure it is a heavy pot.