Mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food—creamy, cheesy, and downright irresistible. But when it comes to cooking, easy recipes don’t always mean the same thing as great flavor. Today, we’re diving into a delicious taste test of three very different mac and cheese versions: a fast-food favorite from KFC, a decadent $165 lobster mac from Barton G, and a homemade masterpiece crafted by cookbook author Alix Traeger. Which one will reign supreme? Let’s find out!
First Up: KFC’s Fast Food Mac & Cheese
Convenience often wins when hunger strikes, and KFC’s mac and cheese is a go-to for many Americans. At just $3.49 for a small serving, it’s affordable and widely available. But does that price point sacrifice flavor?
Visually, KFC’s mac looks creamy and inviting. The melt factor is surprisingly good, with a smooth, almost melt-in-your-mouth texture. The noodles are a touch too soft for some, but the creamy cheese sauce makes up for it.
When it comes to cheese flavor, this version is pretty basic—likely made with powdered cheese and milk, which means it lacks the depth and richness of fresh cheeses. However, the price is unbeatable, making it a solid choice for a quick, comforting fix.
- Melt Factor: 3.5/5
- Cheese Flavor: 3/5
- Price: 5/5
A Homemade Delight: Alix Traeger’s Leek and Crispy Fried Onion Mac & Cheese
Next, we hit the road to try a homemade recipe from Alix Traeger, a cookbook author known for her bold flavors and maximalist approach. Her “leaky” mac and cheese features a trio of cheeses—cheddar, Gruyere, and Parmesan—paired beautifully with crispy fried onion crumbs and leeks. The onions add a delightful crunch and a punch of flavor that elevates this dish beyond traditional mac and cheese.
This mac is a perfect balance of silky creaminess inside and crispy texture on top. The use of Gruyere adds a nutty complexity that makes every bite special. While the price of the ingredients is higher due to the quality cheeses, it’s worth it for a special occasion or when you want to impress.
- Texture: 4.5/5 (silky smooth with a crunchy onion topping)
- Cheese Flavor: 5/5 (rich and complex)
- Price: 3.5-4/5 (higher cost due to premium ingredients)
Alix’s recipe is a fantastic example of how cooking, easy recipes can still be elevated with a few thoughtful touches and quality ingredients.
The Luxe Experience: Barton G’s $165 Lobster Mac & Cheese
Last but not least, we indulged in Barton G’s extravagant “Light Them Up” lobster mac and cheese. This massive dish weighs nearly 10 pounds, featuring 5 pounds of lobster meat combined with 3 pounds of perfectly cooked pasta, all smothered in a signature mac and cheese sauce infused with truffle salsa and oil.
The top layer is crowned with pure Gruyere cheese, adding a rich finish. The aroma of freshly shaved truffles fills the room, making this dish a true luxury experience.
While the texture was spot-on with al dente noodles and a creamy sauce, the truffle flavor dominated the palate, leaving some wishing for a stronger cheese presence to balance the richness. The sheer amount of lobster and truffle justifies the steep $165 price tag, but it’s definitely a special occasion treat.
- Texture: 4-5/5 (perfectly cooked pasta with creamy sauce)
- Cheese Flavor: 3-3.5/5 (a bit overshadowed by truffle)
- Price: 2-4/5 (expensive, but the quality and ingredients justify it)
The Final Cheesy Verdict
After tasting and rating all three mac and cheese dishes, the homemade recipe by Alix Traeger came out on top with a total score of 26.5 points. It wins for its rich cheese flavor, incredible texture, and thoughtful ingredients.
KFC’s fast food mac was a close second, scoring 22 points, impressing with its creamy melt and unbeatable price. Barton G’s $165 lobster mac, while luxurious and delicious, ranked third with 21.5 points, mainly due to the overpowering truffle flavor and steep price tag.
Whether you’re craving a quick and easy recipe or want to splurge on a decadent feast, this mac and cheese showdown proves that great flavor doesn’t always come with a high price—and sometimes, the homemade touch is unbeatable.
Ready to try Alix Traeger’s homemade mac and cheese? Find her recipe in her cookbook Scratch That! available on Amazon. It’s a perfect way to elevate your cooking, easy recipes collection with a dish that’s both impressive and delicious!
This article was created from the video $165 vs $3.49 vs Homemade Mac & Cheese ft. Alix Traeger | Tasty Carpool with the help of AI.
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