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Read the Full Menu for Red RobinRed Robin Mac & Cheese: Taste, Price, Calories, and a Copycat Recipe
Red Robin's Mac & Cheese is one of the easiest orders on the whole menu. It's creamy, simple, and made for anyone who just wants good comfort food without any fuss. Here's what it tastes like, what it costs, how many calories you're looking at, and how to make it at home.
What Is Red Robin Mac & Cheese?
Red Robin calls this dish "Mac It Yours" on the kids' menu, and it also shows up as a simple side called "Mac 'n' Cheese" on the Sides & Sauces list. Either way, it's the same idea: soft macaroni noodles covered in a smooth, creamy cheese sauce. There's no fancy topping and no spicy kick. It's just classic mac and cheese, done the comfort-food way.
Kids can order it as a full Bottomless meal, which means free refills on the pasta itself, plus a Bottomless side and drink. Adults usually add it as a side dish next to a burger, a sandwich, or an entrée. It's a small dish, but it pulls a lot of weight on a menu full of big, bold burgers.
Taste Review
The first thing you notice is the texture. The noodles are soft but not mushy, and the sauce coats every piece instead of pooling at the bottom of the bowl. The cheese flavor is mild and buttery, closer to a classic diner-style mac and cheese than a sharp, tangy one. That makes it a safe pick for picky eaters, but it also means it won't blow away anyone who wants a bold, cheesy punch.
What we liked most is how warm and fresh it tastes when it comes out. It's not dry, and it's not swimming in extra sauce either. The portion on the kids' menu is generous, and the Bottomless refill means you can keep the bowl going without asking twice.
If you want more flavor, ask for a few shakes of black pepper or a side of Red's Original seasoning, the same blend used on the Bottomless Steak Fries. It adds a little kick without changing the comfort-food feel of the dish.
Price and Where to Find It on the Menu
Red Robin's Mac & Cheese sits in two spots on the menu, and the price depends on which one you order:
- Kids' Mac It Yours (Bottomless): Priced around $8 at most locations. This comes with a Bottomless side and a Bottomless drink included.
- Mac 'n' Cheese as a side dish: A smaller, single order priced around $4, meant to go alongside a burger, sandwich, or entrée.
Prices change from one Red Robin to the next, so always check your local restaurant's menu or the online ordering page before you go. Franchise locations in particular can set their own pricing.
Calories and Nutrition
Mac and cheese is a comfort food, so it's not the lightest thing on the menu, but it's far from the heaviest either. Here's a general look at what to expect. Exact numbers can shift a little by location, so use Red Robin's allergen and nutrition guide for the most accurate figures for your order.
| Serving | Calories | Fat | Carbs | Protein |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Side portion (Mac 'n' Cheese) | ~180 | ~11g | ~9g | ~11g |
| Kids' Bottomless Mac It Yours (single bowl) | ~350–450 | ~18–22g | ~30–38g | ~14–16g |
Note: Bottomless refills add more calories with every extra bowl. If you're watching your intake, treat the first bowl as the full meal and skip the seconds, or split a side portion instead.
Ways to Customize Your Order
Red Robin lets you dress up a simple bowl of mac and cheese without much trouble. A few easy add-ons:
- Add crumbled bacon for a smoky, salty crunch.
- Mix in grilled chicken from a burger or the chicken sandwiches menu to turn it into a heartier meal.
- Top it with steak fries seasoning for a little extra flavor without heat.
- Pair it with a side salad if you want a lighter meal overall.
- Order it as a side next to a burger from the Gourmet Burger menu instead of fries.
Since it's a simple, mild dish, it also plays well as a base. Some guests ask for extra shredded cheese on top, which most locations are happy to add for a small charge.
Is It Worth Ordering?
Good Reasons to Order It
- Great pick for picky eaters and young kids
- Bottomless refills add real value
- Mild flavor pairs well with almost anything
- Fast, simple comfort food that never misses
Things to Keep in Mind
- Flavor is mild, not bold or sharp
- No toppings or mix-ins included by default
- Calories add up fast with multiple refills
- Better as a side or kids' meal than a main event for adults
Our Verdict
Red Robin's Mac & Cheese is a reliable, no-drama comfort food. It's not trying to reinvent mac and cheese, and that's exactly why it works. For kids, it's a Bottomless win. For adults, it's a smart side dish that pairs well with almost any burger on the menu. If you want a plate that's easy, warm, and familiar, it's absolutely worth ordering.
Copycat Red Robin Mac & Cheese Recipe
Want to make this creamy, kid-approved mac and cheese at home? Here's a simple copycat version that gets you close to the same soft noodles and smooth, mild cheese sauce.
Ingredients
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups shredded mild cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded American cheese (or cheese slices, torn)
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground mustard (optional, for depth)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Pinch of paprika, for color (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta. Boil the elbow macaroni in salted water until just tender, about 7 to 8 minutes. Drain well and set aside.
- Make the roux. In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for about 1 minute, stirring the whole time, until it smells slightly toasty.
- Add the milk and cream. Slowly pour in the milk while whisking so no lumps form. Add the heavy cream and keep whisking until the mixture is smooth.
- Simmer until thick. Cook over medium-low heat for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring often, until the sauce coats the back of a spoon.
- Melt in the cheese. Lower the heat and stir in the cheddar and American cheese a handful at a time, letting each addition melt fully before adding more. Keep the heat low so the sauce stays smooth.
- Season the sauce. Add the garlic powder, ground mustard, salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust until it's smooth and mild, close to the classic diner-style flavor.
- Combine and serve. Fold the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce until every noodle is coated. Sprinkle with a pinch of paprika if you like, and serve warm.
Tip: For extra creaminess, stir in an extra splash of milk right before serving, since the sauce thickens as it sits. Leftovers keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. While it's featured on the kids' menu as "Mac It Yours," any guest can order the smaller Mac 'n' Cheese side dish from the Sides & Sauces section, no matter their age.
Yes. The kids' Mac It Yours meal is part of Red Robin's Bottomless program, so kids get free refills on the pasta itself, along with a Bottomless side and drink.
The kids' Bottomless meal runs around $8, while the smaller side portion is closer to $4. Prices vary by location, so check your local Red Robin before ordering.
No, the dish is made with regular wheat pasta, so it is not gluten-free. Guests with gluten sensitivities should ask staff about other options on the allergen menu.
Yes. Most locations will add bacon, grilled chicken, or extra cheese for a small charge. It's an easy way to turn a simple side into a fuller meal.
It has a mild, buttery cheese flavor with soft noodles, closer to a classic diner-style mac and cheese than a sharp or spicy version. It's designed to be comforting and easy to enjoy for all ages.
More Menus to Explore
Planning a full visit? Check out more of what Red Robin has to offer: