Mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food that no one can turn down. The creamy and cheesy dish is incredibly satisfying, and you can also pair it with baked beans, Brussels sprouts, salads, cornbread, and a range of other side dishes for a well-balanced meal.
Here’s a list of the most amazing mac and cheese recipes you should explore to try variations of this classic dish. They’re filled with ooey-gooey goodness and are super delicious, given the variety of different ingredients used.
1. Baked Macaroni and Cheese
Make this soul-warming dish by smothering pasta with sharp cheddar or Swiss cheese. The result is a dish that strikes a wonderful balance of textures and flavors! You can dress it with red pepper to pack heat or add garlic bread crumbs or crumbled bacon to make it extra appealing.
2. Baked Mac and Cheese
This stunning mac and cheese will be popular with everyone at your dinner table. It has macaroni coated in a white knock-your-socks-off cream cheese sauce made with gruyere and mozzarella. Add crunchy, buttery breadcrumbs to produce an irresistible dish! You can serve it with pork chops or roast chicken for a well-balanced meal.
3. Balsamic Caramelized Onion Mushroom Mac ‘N’ Cheese
Once you get a taste of this heavenly mac and cheese, you’ll never want to try anything else! It pairs macaroni with tender balsamic sautéed mushrooms and caramelized onions in a rich cheese sauce. The crispy, browned edges deliver a flavor profile that will tempt everyone to reach for a second serving!
4. Chicken Mac and Cheese
This comfort meal is made with mozzarella cheese and sharp cheddar cheese — expect the most incredible creamy taste in every bite! It bulks things up with chicken, which adds a boost of protein to the dish, and you can also sneak in veggies to elevate its nutritional content. Serve it with parmesan to take things to the next level.
5. Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese
This recipe uses a combination of cheeses in the sauce to coat every single piece of elbow pasta. The cheese is also layered in the dish, which packs a powerful cheesy punch you can’t get enough of. You can serve it as-is or with crispy, crumbled bacon on top for a flavor boost.
6. Extra Cheesy Homemade Mac and Cheese
This recipe features a flour-and-butter roux-based sauce that will tantalize your taste buds. The best thing is that it stays just as creamy, cheesy, and finger-lickin’ good even when leftovers are reheated in the microwave. The recipe is adaptable, so you can easily customize the recipe and make it unique to your taste.
7. Homemade Mac and Cheese
Make this dreamy homemade mac and cheese with pasta, cheddar cheese, and a delightfully creamy sauce made from butter, flour, seasonings, milk, half and half, and cheese. Baked to cheesy, bubbly perfection in the oven, this is an irresistible dish. It keeps well in the fridge for up to 3 months, so you can make it on the weekends and enjoy it on the weekdays.
8. How to Make the Best Macaroni and Cheese on the Stove
This recipe comes together in a snap and is loaded with cheesy flavors. What sets this recipe apart from others? Instead of using a roux, it calls for whisking in flour in the milk. You can also mix in peas and mushrooms to give the dish more substance, along with caramelized mushrooms and onions to make it more decadent.
9. Meat Lover’s Mac and Cheese
This mac and cheese dish is a meat lover’s paradise! It’s made by combining pasta with diced bacon, ground beef, and pepperoni in a deliciously creamy sauce. It also uses grated cheddar cheese, which is cooked until it has melted to produce an awesome dish. Serve it with the reserved meat mixture on top for a mouthwatering meal.
10. Skillet Cheeseburger Mac and Cheese in 30 Minutes
This mac and cheese includes a delicious sauce and is loaded with spices and the goodness of all things, a cheeseburger, but without the carb-heavy buns or pickles. You can also adapt the recipe to your taste by using your choice of flavorings. Safe to say, this hearty, healthy meal will be a favorite with your family for a long time.
11. Spicy Roasted Vegetable Macaroni and Cheese
This mac and cheese recipe offers a delicious way to sneak some nutritious veggies into your meals. The recipe also switches out butter for olive oil to flavor the dish, which also cuts down the cholesterol level of your dish to make it healthier. It’s adaptable, so you can modify the amount of spices used to make it more palatable.
12. The BEST Homemade Baked Mac and Cheese
Pasta coated in a creamy cheese sauce, this baked mac and cheese recipe will be an asset to your cooking repertoire! It also has a panko-parmesan topping that adds a lovely crunch. Once baked, it crisps up beautifully and has a gorgeous golden-brown color that will tempt you to eat your fill.
13. Tuscan Chicken Mac and Cheese (One Pot, Stove Top)
Perfect for hectic weeknights, this recipe comes together with minimal work. It uses the classic trio of parmesan, mozzarella, and a touch of cheddar with elbow macaroni and then takes things to the next level with sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and spinach. Serve it topped with pan-seared chicken to give it a protein boost while also elevating its flavor profile.
14. Vegetable Mac and Cheese
This healthy dish comes together in less than 30 minutes and tastes absolutely delightful. Use pasta with your choice of veggies for a personalized approach, then smother everything with a cheese sauce prepared with butter, cheddar cheese, all-purpose flour, garlic powder, sea salt, sour cream, and whole milk. Enjoy exquisite flavors in every bite!
