The Best Costco Mac and Cheese Recipe

Costco uses a pre-made cheesy sauce to make their mac and cheese, but that's exactly why this recipe is going to be even better! We're going to be making our own creamy liquid cheese sauce from scratch so that you get the full enjoyment of all of the flavors.

This copycat recipe of Costco's famous macaroni is perfect as a main dish or as a side dish to make a complete meal. The next time you're looking for an ultimate comfort food, give this recipe a try!

Since you are here and love copycat secret recipes, check out this The Best Costco Chicken Skewers Recipe Copycat, as well as this The Best Costco Basil Butter Recipe!

Ingredients for this Costco Mac and Cheese Recipe

Scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of the page for the detailed ingredient list of measurements. 

• Cavatappi Pasta: has the classic shape for traditional mac and is what Costco uses.
• Butter: combines with the seasonings and flour to make a roux.
• All-purpose Flour: combines with the butter as mentioned above.
• Heavy Cream and Milk: add a creaminess to the cheese sauce.
• White Cheddar Cheese
• Gruyere Cheese
• Romano Cheese
• Parmesan Cheese
• Medium Cheddar Cheese
• Salt: to taste.
• Pepper, Paprika, Garlic Powder: add delicious savory flavors.

How to make this Costco Mac and Cheese Recipe

Make sure to scroll down to the recipe card at the end of this post for the full step-by-step instructions! 

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and butter a large round pan or 9x13 inch baking dish then set aside.
2. Cook the Cavatappi pasta according to the package directions but reduce the cooking time by 2 minutes since it will continue to cook in the oven. Drain and set aside.
3. In a large pot, heat the butter over medium heat until completely melted. Add in the flour, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder, and whisk to create a roux. Cook for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
4. Slowly whisk in the heavy cream and milk. Continue to cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens, about 5-7 minutes.
5. Add the white cheddar, Gruyere, Romano, and Parmesan cheeses to the sauce. Stir until the cheese mixture is melted and the sauce is smooth. Taste the sauce and add salt to your liking.
6. Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and stir to combine.
7. Pour the mac and cheese into the prepared pan and sprinkle the medium cheddar cheese on top.
8. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and lightly golden on top.
9. Let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your delicious baked mac and cheese!

If you're looking for a gluten free version, you can use your favorite gluten free pasta or follow this gluten-free mac and cheese recipe.

Why You Need to Make this Copycat Kirkland Mac!

• This recipe is easy to make and only requires a handful of simple ingredients you can find at the grocery store.
• Costco's mac is made with five different cheeses and is absolutely packed with flavorful spices.
• It's perfect for an on-the-go lunch at work or school, or a comforting dinner to end the day. Your kids or cheese lover in your life will thank you.
• As a long-time lover of macaroni, I can say that homemade versions of mac-n-cheese are always better than boxed meals and this is literally one of the best mac recipes out there!

Frequently asked questions - FAQ

Can I Use a Different Type of Pasta?

Of course, that's totally up to you. Cavatappi is what Costco uses so that's why it was picked. But shells, bow ties, macaroni elbows, or whatever other pasta shape you prefer will work just fine.

How to Store Leftover Costco Mac and Cheese

To store, wait until the dish is fully at room temperature and then transfer it to an airtight container. It will last for 3-4 days in the fridge and will last for a couple months if you store it in the freezer.

How to Reheat

If you had it in the fridge, simply pop it in the microwave in a microwave-safe bowl for two separate 1-minute intervals, stirring in between. Or put it back in an oven dish and cook it until the cheese starts to bubble.

If you froze it and are ready to enjoy it again, you could either leave it on the counter until it thaws and repeat the steps above. Or you could do the same steps with double or triple the amount of time needed.

What Can I Serve This With?

Stir in some ground beef, sliced sausage or hot dogs, or sauteed chicken to serve this mac and cheese as a main dish. Try this Herb Crusted Texas Roadhouse Chicken, this Popeyes Blackened Chicken Recipe, these air fryer pork chops, or this Costco Chicken Skewers Recipe on top of your pasta.

Serve this creamy cheese pasta on the side of a protein and veggie dish like this Outback Brussels Sprouts Recipe or this The Best Din Tai Fung Green Beans Recipe to make it a complete meal. A nice side salad with heavy pasta always pair and complement each other perfectly.

What Other Flavor Variations Can I Try?

• Make it spicy by adding in diced jalapenos or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes.
• Add flavor by including caramelized onions and sauteed bell peppers.
• Add toppings like a breadcrumb mixture for a nice crunchy contrast. Sprinkle panko bread crumbs on top before baking.

The Best Costco Mac and Cheese Recipe