46 of the Best Mac & Cheese Recipes on the Internet (2024)

The Best Mac & Cheese Recipes on the Internet

The Cabot Cheese Board presents their favorite variations on an American culinary classic.

You would be hard pressed to find a more popular, family friendly, crowd-pleasing dish than classic Macaroni and Cheese. Its provenance goes back centuries, to the court of French kings, then on to the British Empire.

The first written recipe for this dish seems to be from a cookbook calledThe Experienced English Housekeeper,published in 1769. It’s a recipe not too far removed from modern day mac and cheese, consisting of a bechamel sauce with Cheddar, mixed with macaroni, sprinkled with Parmesan, then baked until bubbly and golden. Sounds familiar, right?

Fast forward 250 years, and you can see that this dish truly has staying power. And while people all over the world love this tried and true comfort food, it’s also true that famous chefs and home cooks alike are eager to experiment with the basic preparation.

The wonderful thing about macaroni and cheese is that it starts as a blank canvas and lends itself to flights of foodie fantasy. Feeling elegant? Add lobster or shrimp. Maybe you want a little healthier version. Nothing perks up the cheesy goodness more than your favorite veggies. Maybe meat’s more to your liking. Adding steak, ground beef, chicken or turkey can make a one-pot meal in minutes.

With a little culinary experimentation, you can even make exciting internationally themed versions of mac and cheese with choice ingredients. Add chorizo and salsa for a Mexican flair. In the mood for Italian? Toss your cheese covered macaroni with chopped basil and tomatoes. Adding bratwurst brings a German flair to the proceedings.

The variations on this delicious theme are almost endless. And you can see by this list of favorites from the Cabot Cheese Board, each one looks better and tastier than the next.

Click through to each of these inventive and exciting recipes to find a mac and cheese dish that’s just right for you.

We’ll start by giving props to Cheese Board member Molly Yeh, who shows us how to throw the perfectMac & Cheese party. What a great idea, don’t you agree? I can’t think of a better way to entertain and satisfy hungry friends.

46 of the Best Mac & Cheese Recipes on the Internet (1)

Whether you decide to throw a party for a crowd or just make it the tastiest stay-at-home night ever, here are some of the best Macaroni & Cheese recipes you’ll ever come across, gathered together in one amazing list. You can thank us later.

Here’s an easy, basic recipe from Bless This Mess:

Creamy One Pot Macaroni and Cheese

And then, it’s off to the races, with more than forty fantastic ideas for your next mac and cheese meal.

From Nutmeg Nanny:

Gorgonzola Bacon Mac & Cheese

Five Cheese Mac and Cheese

Poblano Macaroni and Cheese

Beer Bratwurst Macaroni and Cheese

Pulled Pork Mac and Cheese

From The Lean Green Bean:

Lentil Macaroni and Cheese

Macaroni and Cheese with Sausage and Peas

From the Slow Roasted Italian:

Jack Daniels Bacon Mac and Cheese

Super Simple Mac and Cheese Italian Style

From Back to Her Roots:

Bacon Sriracha Macaroni and Cheese

Bacon and Brie Macaroni and Cheese

From The Brown Eyed Baker:

Hatch Chile Mac and Cheese

Cajun Shrimp Macaroni and Cheese

Butternut Squash & Bacon Mac n’ Cheese

From Good Life Eats:

Asparagus and Bacon Macaroni and Cheese

Baked White Cheddar Mac n Cheese with Kale and Bacon

From Running to the Kitchen:

Creamy Greek Yogurt Mac ‘n Cheese with Peas and Bacon

Sweet Potato Spinach Mac and Cheese

From Eats Well with Others:

Buffalo Cheddar Mac and Cheese

Spicy Harissa Macaroni and Cheese

From Healthy Seasonal Recipes:

Cauliflower, Pea and Edamame Macaroni and Cheese

From Shugary Sweets:

Copycat Panera Macaroni and Cheese

From Bake Your Day:

Spinach Queso Macaroni and Cheese

From A Dash of Soul:

Greek Yogurt Macaroni and Cheese

From The Little Kitchen:

Fried Mac and Cheese Bites

From Rachel Cooks:

Macaroni and Cheese Pizza

From Well Plated:

Spinach and Artichoke Mac and Cheese

From Peas and Crayons:

Confetti Mac and Cheese

From Foodness Gracious:

Jalapeno Poppers with Mac and Cheese Cheetos

From Dine and Dish:

Crab Macaroni and Cheese

From Mel’s Kitchen Café:

Fire Roasted Mac and Cheese with Feta

From Seasonally Jane:

Truffled Mac and Cheese with Kale

From Healthy Nibbles and Bits:

Macaroni and Cheese Prosciutto Bites

From Inspiralized:

Spiralized Mac and Cheese Two Ways: Butternut Squash and Sweet Potato

From Cooking with Cakes:

Bourbon Bacon White Cheddar Mac and Cheese

From Buns in My Oven:

Barbecue Mac Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

From The Comfort of Cooking:

Creamy Stovetop Jalapeno Bacon Macaroni and Cheese

From Dixie Chik Cooks:

French Dip Mac n Cheese Smothered French Fries

From Julie’s Eats and Treats:

Skinny Pizza Mac N’ Cheese

From Pass the Sushi:

Mac and Cheese Soup

From Savory Simple:

French Onion Soup Macaroni and Cheese

From Cooking with Books:

Korean Macaroni and Cheese

From Meal Makeover Moms:

Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

In addition to all these yummy dishes, be sure to visit the Cabot website where you’ll findlots more great ways to make Macaroni and Cheese.

46 of the Best Mac & Cheese Recipes on the Internet (2024)

FAQs

What can you add to mac and cheese to make it taste better? ›

8 Ways to Elevate Your Macaroni and Cheese Dinners
  1. Add extra cheese to your dish.
  2. Mix in some hot sauce and chicken to make buffalo chicken mac n' cheese.
  3. Add in vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower and spinach.
  4. Sprinkle some bacon bits or breadcrumbs on the top of your dish.
  5. Add spices and fresh herbs to your dish.
May 21, 2022

Why put mustard in mac and cheese? ›

Mustard Powder: The secret ingredient you should always add to your Mac and cheese. The acidity in the mustard helps cut through the fat. You can find it in the spice section of any major grocery store. Otherwise, swap it for 1/2 to 1 tablespoon of Dijon or yellow mustard to taste or omit it.

How does Gordon Ramsay make the best mac and cheese? ›

Preparation
  1. In a large pot over medium heat, combine the pasta and milk. ...
  2. Once the pasta is cooked, remove the pan from the heat and add the butter, cheddar cheese, salt, and pepper. ...
  3. Divide between serving bowls and top with the bread crumbs.
  4. Enjoy!
  5. All your favorite recipes, stored in one place.
May 4, 2023

What is the most flavorful cheese for mac and cheese? ›

Sharp cheddar is the overwhelming popular choice, but for extra-creamy results, we think medium cheddar is even better. Other delicious options include Gruyère, smoked Gouda, and Monterey Jack.

What keeps mac and cheese moist? ›

There are a few different ways to keep your macaroni and cheese moist, from adding a solid layer of shredded cheese on top to holding back on the cream when making your sauce.

How can I make my mac and cheese better? ›

10 ways to take mac 'n' cheese to the next level:
  1. Make the sauce with brown butter.
  2. Add evaporated milk.
  3. Choose the right cheese.
  4. Choose the perfect pasta.
  5. Double up on breadcrumbs.
  6. Boost the flavour with Marmite.
  7. A hit of heat.
  8. Extra seasoning.

Why put eggs in mac and cheese? ›

I shall show you the way. How do you make the best mac and cheese? There are a few ingredients that make this the best macaroni and cheese ever. Adding an egg to mac and cheese makes the sauce smooth, velvety, and heavenly rich.

Why put butter in mac and cheese? ›

Many mac and cheese recipes call for a combination of butter and flour, known as a roux, to thicken the cheese sauce.

What's in Bob Evans mac and cheese? ›

Cooked Enriched Pasta (Water, Elbow Macaroni [Semolina (Wheat), Niacin, Iron (Ferrous Sulfate), Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid]), Milk, Water, Pasteurized Process Cheese Spread (American Cheese [Pasteurized Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzymes], Water, Whey, Sodium Phosphate, Contains Less than 2% of ...

Why is spiral mac and cheese better? ›

They have more texture.

Unlike the original noodles, which can turn into a mushy mess once their cooked, shapes tend to hold their rigid structure. My guess is that because of the way they're made, the center of the pasta doesn't cook evenly with the outside, leaving you with a pleasant bite.

What is the best cheese according to chefs? ›

A Cheese Expert's Guide to 10 Essential Cheeses to Know and Love
  • Brie de Meaux-Style Brie.
  • Pyrénées Sheep.
  • Comté
  • Clothbound Cheddar.
  • Aged (Goat) Gouda.
  • Bleu d'Auvergne AOC/PDO.
  • Époisses de Bourgogne PDO.
  • Le Chevrot.

What can I add to mac n cheese to make it better? ›

Here are a few of my favorite ways to upgrade boxed mac and cheese in three ingredients or fewer:
  1. Broccoli + Shredded Chicken. ...
  2. Bacon + Peas + Egg. ...
  3. Garlic + Pickled Jalapeños. ...
  4. Mushrooms + Thyme + Grated Gruyère. ...
  5. Pesto + Sun-Dried Tomatoes. ...
  6. Kimchi + Bacon + Chopped Scallions. ...
  7. Cherry Tomatoes + Basil + Mozzarella.

Can I use sour cream instead of milk for mac and cheese? ›

Sour Cream

There are a couple of reasons this is such a good substitute. For one thing, since sour cream is thicker than regular milk, it doesn't thin out the cheese sauce as much. That means that you can add more sour cream and still get a creamy finish.

Is evaporated milk better than whole milk for mac and cheese? ›

Recipe Notes

Note 1: Milk: The evaporated milk lends a really nice flavor and creaminess, it's the "secret" to this mac and cheese! It also thickens faster since it's not straight from the fridge and cold. If you'd prefer to not use evaporated milk, whole milk or 2% works (whole is best).

What to do if mac and cheese is bland? ›

Try adding a little more salt first, because that might fix it. If the problem was the cheese you use doesn't have much flavor, then try adding some other flavors, such has mustard or hot sauce. The next time you make it, try to find some more strongly flavor cheese, or adding more cheese.

How do you make mac and cheese not boring? ›

  1. Even just a few ounces of good cheese will enhance your basic mac and cheese. ...
  2. Swap elbow macaroni for a sturdier, more toothsome noodle. ...
  3. A dusting of fresh herbs is one of the easiest ways to add dimension to a simple dish like mac and cheese. ...
  4. Bacon makes everything better.
Feb 24, 2023

What seasonings to add to box mac and cheese? ›

Spices: A little garlic powder and onion powder goes a long way in making this the best easy mac and cheese ever! Definitely don't skimp on these. You could also add a bit of paprika, black pepper, or even a splash of hot sauce if you want to amp up the flavor even more.

How do you make refrigerated mac and cheese taste better? ›

Add 1 tablespoon of milk per cup of mac and cheese and mix to incorprate as much as possible. *If you'd like to add more creaminess and flavor, substitute half-and-half or cream. 3. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and place in the oven at 350°F for 20-30 minutes, or until heated through.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Dong Thiel

Last Updated:

Views: 6643

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (59 voted)

Reviews: 82% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Dong Thiel

Birthday: 2001-07-14

Address: 2865 Kasha Unions, West Corrinne, AK 05708-1071

Phone: +3512198379449

Job: Design Planner

Hobby: Graffiti, Foreign language learning, Gambling, Metalworking, Rowing, Sculling, Sewing

Introduction: My name is Dong Thiel, I am a brainy, happy, tasty, lively, splendid, talented, cooperative person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.