Andy Montoya
Longhorn Steakhouse is known for its legendary mac and cheese, which features a unique blend of four distinctive cheeses: shredded Gruyere, cheddar, Parmesan, and Fontina. The restaurant also offers other dishes that showcase their use of cheese, such as cheddar-stuffed mushrooms with a Parmesan Panko crust and Parmesan-crusted chicken. The Longhorn Steakhouse bread is also served with a four-cheese sauce, including herbed garlic cheese. Additionally, the restaurant offers a range of cheese-based desserts, such as cheesecake, which can be topped with whipped cream or served with a cup of fruit.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of cheeses | 4 |
| Type of cheese | Cavatappi |
| Type of cheese | Gruyere |
| Type of cheese | Cheddar |
| Type of cheese | Parmesan |
| Type of cheese | Fontina |
| Type of cheese | Colby |
| Type of cheese | Colby Jack |
| Type of cheese | Pepper Jack |
| Type of cheese | Low Sodium Colby |
| Type of cheese | Herbed garlic |
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What You'll Learn
- Longhorn Steakhouse uses a blend of four cheeses in their mac and cheese
- Cheddar, Gruyere, Parmesan, and Fontina are the cheeses used
- Parmesan is used in the chain's popular parmesan-crusted chicken
- Cheddar is used in the cheddar-stuffed mushrooms
- Longhorn, a style of American Colby cheese, is not used by the chain
Longhorn Steakhouse uses a blend of four cheeses in their mac and cheese
The recipe for Longhorn Steakhouse's mac and cheese has been shared by a former employee on Reddit, and it includes detailed instructions on how to recreate this popular side dish at home. The process begins with cooking the cavatappi pasta in boiling water. Simultaneously, a roux is prepared by heating butter and flour in a separate saucepan over medium heat until it becomes fragrant.
Once the roux is ready, half-and-half is gradually added in three separate increments, stirring until the sauce thickens after each addition. This technique ensures a smooth and creamy sauce base. Then comes the star of the show—the cheese. The shredded Gruyere, cheddar, Fontina, and Parmesan cheeses are slowly incorporated into the sauce, allowing each addition to melt and blend before adding the next.
A sprinkle of smoked paprika adds a subtle depth of flavour to the cheese sauce. Finally, the cooked pasta is mixed with the decadent cheese sauce, and the dish is topped with crumbled bacon and Panko breadcrumbs. The bacon adds a savoury punch, while the breadcrumbs provide a satisfying crunch. The entire dish is then baked in the oven until the breadcrumbs turn a golden brown, resulting in a bubbly, indulgent mac and cheese.
The choice of cheeses in this recipe contributes significantly to the overall taste and texture of the dish. Gruyere cheese, known for its slightly sweet and nutty flavour, adds a touch of sophistication to the blend. Cheddar, with its sharp and tangy notes, provides a bold contrast to the milder cheeses. Fontina, a semi-soft cheese, contributes a creamy texture and a subtle earthy flavour. Finally, Parmesan, with its salty and savoury characteristics, enhances the overall umami flavour of the dish.
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Cheddar, Gruyere, Parmesan, and Fontina are the cheeses used
Longhorn Steakhouse uses a blend of four distinctive cheeses in their mac and cheese: Cheddar, Gruyere, Parmesan, and Fontina. The combination of these cheeses creates a unique and indulgent flavour that has made it a popular side dish for steak. The creaminess of the cheese sauce provides a delightful contrast to the meaty, smoky flavours of the steak, chicken, or pork.
Cheddar is a type of cheese that is commonly used in a variety of dishes and is known for its sharp, tangy flavour. It has a firm texture and ranges in colour from white to yellow. Gruyere, on the other hand, is a Swiss cheese with a slightly sweet and nutty flavour. It has a creamy texture and is often used in fondues and other melted cheese dishes.
Parmesan is an Italian cheese with a strong, savoury flavour. It is often used as a topping or seasoning due to its salty, umami-rich taste. It is also known for its hard texture and granular appearance. Fontina is another Italian cheese that is known for its creamy texture and slightly nutty flavour. It melts well, making it a perfect addition to grilled dishes and fondues.
The specific quantities and preparation methods for these cheeses in the Longhorn Steakhouse mac and cheese may vary, but it is clear that the combination of Cheddar, Gruyere, Parmesan, and Fontina creates a signature taste that has become a favourite among patrons. The use of these cheeses, along with other ingredients like bacon and breadcrumbs, contributes to the overall indulgent and crave-worthy experience of the dish.
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Parmesan is used in the chain's popular parmesan-crusted chicken
Longhorn Steakhouse uses a variety of cheeses across its menu. One of the most popular dishes is the parmesan-crusted chicken, which, as the name suggests, features a creamy ranch topping made with grated parmesan cheese. The same parmesan crust is also used on the restaurant's cheddar-stuffed mushrooms, and it is suggested that guests can add it to their burger, sirloin, or filet as a unique way to enhance their meal.
The parmesan-crusted chicken is not the only dish at Longhorn Steakhouse that incorporates parmesan. The restaurant's legendary mac and cheese, which is widely regarded as one of the best, most dependable, and most crave-able, also includes parmesan. The dish combines four distinctive cheeses—shredded gruyere, cheddar, fontina, and parmesan—with a crunchy bacon-panko topping. The unique blend of cheeses creates an ooey-gooey cheese sauce that clings perfectly to the spiral cavatappi noodles, resulting in a thick and creamy texture.
The parmesan used in the chain's popular parmesan-crusted chicken likely contributes to the dish's success. Parmesan is a versatile cheese that can enhance the flavour and texture of various dishes. It has a strong, distinct flavour that can add a salty, savoury note to the creamy ranch topping. The umami richness of the parmesan pairs well with the other ingredients in the topping, such as the garlic, herbs, and breadcrumbs. The cheese also provides a crunchy texture to the crust, creating a satisfying contrast to the tender chicken.
In addition to its flavour and texture, the use of parmesan in the crust may also be advantageous due to its melting properties. Parmesan has a high melting point, which helps create a stable, uniform crust that holds together during cooking and retains its structure when served. This ensures that the topping remains intact, providing a consistent and enjoyable dining experience for guests.
The inclusion of parmesan in the chain's popular dish showcases Longhorn Steakhouse's attention to detail and commitment to using quality ingredients. By incorporating a versatile and flavourful cheese like parmesan, the restaurant elevates the dish, creating a unique and memorable dining experience for its guests.
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Cheddar is used in the cheddar-stuffed mushrooms
Longhorn Steakhouse uses a variety of cheeses across its menu. One of its popular dishes is the cheddar-stuffed mushrooms, which are filled with herbed garlic cheese and topped with a parmesan panko crust. The cheddar used in this dish is likely shredded cheddar, as indicated by a copycat recipe for Longhorn Steakhouse's mac and cheese, which includes shredded cheddar as one of the four cheeses in the blend.
Shredded cheddar is a versatile form of this cheese that can be used in various dishes, from sauces to toppings. In the context of Longhorn Steakhouse's cheddar-stuffed mushrooms, the cheddar is likely shredded and mixed with the herbed garlic cheese to create a creamy and flavourful filling. This combination of cheeses enhances the overall taste and texture of the dish.
Cheddar is a type of cheese that originates from the English village of Cheddar in Somerset. It is one of the most popular and versatile cheeses globally and is known for its slightly sharp and nutty flavour. Cheddar cheese is typically made from cow's milk and can range in colour from pale yellow to orange. The flavour and texture of cheddar can vary depending on the aging time, with younger cheddars being milder and older cheddars developing a more complex and sharp flavour.
In the case of Longhorn Steakhouse's cheddar-stuffed mushrooms, the cheddar used is likely a medium or sharp variety, as a more pronounced flavour would stand up to the other ingredients in the dish, such as the garlic and herbs. The sharpness of the cheddar would also complement the creaminess of the herbed garlic cheese, creating a well-rounded and indulgent flavour profile.
While the specific brand or variety of cheddar used in Longhorn Steakhouse's cheddar-stuffed mushrooms may not be publicly known, it is safe to assume that it is of good quality and specifically chosen to complement the other ingredients in the dish. The combination of cheeses in this dish contributes to its popularity, as it offers a unique and tasty twist on traditional stuffed mushrooms.
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Longhorn, a style of American Colby cheese, is not used by the chain
Longhorn Steakhouse uses a variety of cheeses across its menu. The chain's legendary mac and cheese features a blend of four distinctive cheeses: shredded Gruyere, shredded cheddar, shredded Parmesan, and shredded Fontina. The Parmesan is also used in the chain's popular parmesan-crusted chicken, alongside garlic, herbs, and panko breadcrumbs.
Longhorn is also known for its cheddar-stuffed mushrooms, which are filled with herbed garlic cheese and topped with a Parmesan panko crust. The complimentary Longhorn bread served with drinks can be accompanied by a cinnamon sugar butter combo.
While the chain uses a variety of cheeses, there is no indication that it uses Longhorn cheese, a style of American Colby cheese. Longhorn cheese is defined by its round, long, orange cylindrical shape, resembling a moon or half-moon when cut for packaging. It is made from cow's milk and has a flavour that can range from mild to sharp, with a texture similar to cheddar but more elastic and springy. It is often used as a melting cheese and is available in various flavours, including Colby, Colby Jack, Pepper Jack, and Low Sodium Colby.
Although Longhorn Steakhouse offers a range of cheesy dishes and sides, the chain does not appear to use Longhorn cheese, a variety of American Colby cheese, in its recipes. The closest connection to the name "Longhorn" in terms of cheese used by the chain is the shredded cheddar in their mac and cheese, which may refer to "Longhorn cheddar", one of the alternative spellings of Longhorn cheese. However, this does not refer to the chain using the actual Longhorn cheese, which is a specific variety with distinct characteristics as mentioned above.
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Frequently asked questions
Longhorn Steakhouse uses a blend of four distinctive cheeses in their Mac and Cheese: shredded Gruyere, shredded cheddar, shredded Fontina, and shredded Parmesan.
Longhorn Steakhouse uses grated Parmesan cheese in their Parmesan-crusted chicken.
Longhorn Steakhouse uses herbed garlic cheese and tops it with Parmesan in their cheddar-stuffed mushrooms.
Longhorn Steakhouse offers a "new" cheesecake as one of their desserts. However, there is no mention of the type of cheese used.
There is no definitive answer to this question. However, Longhorn Steakhouse is known for its Parmesan-crusted steak tips.
