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 are the 3 best cheeses for mac and cheese? ›

What Is the Best 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 is in Gordon Ramsay mac and cheese? ›

Ingredients
  1. 1 lb small elbow pasta.
  2. 4 cups whole milk.
  3. 8 tablespoons unsalted butter.
  4. 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese.
  5. 2 teaspoons kosher salt.
  6. ½ teaspoon ground black pepper.
  7. 2 cups bacon bits.
  8. ½ cup bread crumbs, toasted.
May 4, 2023

Which celebrity chef makes the best mac and cheese? ›

The Very Best Macaroni and Cheese: Alton Brown's Baked Macaroni and Cheese.

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.

What cheeses not to use for mac and cheese? ›

I would avoid Swiss (greasy when melted), mozzarella (melts great but noticeably bland here), parm (doesn't blend well with this technique), pecorino (same problem), and all low-fat or part-skim cheeses, which will not turn into a sauce at all but a bunch of stringy sludge. Avoid at all costs.

What kind of milk is best for mac and cheese? ›

Milk: Use whole milk for the richest flavor and texture. Cheese: This baked mac and cheese recipe calls for Cheddar and Parmesan cheeses. Seasonings: Salt and pepper goes into the sauce, while paprika is sprinkled over the topping.

What is the thickening agent in mac and cheese? ›

A roux is a thickening agent made of one part fat and one part flour that makes up the base of this creamy mac and cheese. To make the roux, start by melting butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add flour, salt, and pepper and stir until smooth. Slowly pour in milk and stir until the mixture is smooth and bubbling.

Who eats the most Kraft macaroni and cheese? ›

It was introduced under the Kraft Dinner name simultaneously in both Canada and the U.S. in 1937. The brand is particularly popular with Canadians, who consume 55% more boxes per capita than Americans.

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.

How much is the most expensive mac and cheese? ›

Macaroni and Cheese: Lobster Truffle Mac & Cheese, $200 and up. America's most expensive order of macaroni and cheese is served at Barton G., which has locations in Los Angeles, Miami, and Chicago and is known for its over-the-top opulence.

What to add to macaroni 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

What not to do when making mac and cheese? ›

13 Mistakes You're Probably Making With Homemade Mac And Cheese
  1. Overcooking your macaroni. ...
  2. Trying to rush your béchamel. ...
  3. Using the wrong type of cheese. ...
  4. Only using elbow macaroni. ...
  5. Making it with pre-grated cheese. ...
  6. Under-seasoning your mac and cheese. ...
  7. Trying to use fresh pasta. ...
  8. ‌Forgetting to give it time to rest.
Jan 22, 2024

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.

What are the 3 cheeses in Kraft 3 cheese? ›

Kraft Grated Three Cheese Blend – Add a sprinkle of zing to your favorite pastas, pizzas, seafood, salads and more with the bold taste of Kraft grated Parmesan, Romano & Asiago cheeses.

What 3 cheeses are in 3 cheese blend? ›

The three-cheese blend is an essential part of many Taco Bell menu items. It is an equal-parts mixture of mozzarella cheese, cheddar cheese, and Monterey jack cheese.

What cheese melts the best? ›

What is the best melting cheese? Cheeses with more moisture and lower melting points - cheddar is one of the most popular choices, but Swiss and Gruyère are also terrific options. Which melts better, mild or sharp cheddar? Mild cheddar melts more smoothly than sharper (more aged) cheddar.

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