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

Who makes the best mac and cheese in the world? ›

A time-tested crowd favorite, Beecher's “World's Best” Mac & Cheese features our signature Flagship and Just Jack cheeses. A hint of spice and penne proves it's not just for kids.

What does adding more milk to mac and cheese do? ›

Sauce too thick? Stir in a splash of milk and mix until the sauce has loosened up. (This is also a great trick for reheating mac and cheese - if you're microwaving leftovers and the sauce seems to have dried up, stir a splash of milk or half-and-half into the pasta to bring the sauce back to life!)

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.

Is Kraft or Annies better? ›

The Annie's version and the Kraft version are very, very similar when it comes down to the nutrition facts. Annie's has 1 additional gram of fiber per serving, 1 less gram of fiber per serving, less iron per serving, and 1 gram more saturated fat.

Who is the father of mac and cheese? ›

James Hemings was the first American trained as a master chef. He was also the brother-in-law and enslaved property of Thomas Jefferson. It is confirmed by historians that James Hemings (1765-1801) an American mixed-race slave owned and freed by Thomas Jefferson is the creator of American macaroni and cheese.

Is it better to use evaporated milk or regular milk in mac and cheese? ›

Key #2: Use Evaporated Milk

The second big key was to use evaporated milk as the base liquid. Evaporated milk is a highly concentrated source of milk protein micelles—bundles of proteins that can act as powerful emulsifying agents—which help to keep the sauce creamy and smooth.

Is milk or heavy cream better for mac and cheese? ›

Heavy whipping cream (or half and half) is the perfect substitute for milk in mac and cheese. This is actually a great option! The thicker consistency will produce a dreamy, creamy sauce that everyone will love. The flavor is bolder and richer, too, and you may enjoy it more than the original.

What thickens mac and cheese? ›

Butter and flour: The combination of butter and flour thickens our creamy cheese sauce. You'll cook them together on the stove and then add the milk. The mixture thickens, and you can add your cheese.

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.

Why is spiral mac and cheese better? ›

They have more texture.

I've always been drawn to the chew factor that comes with mac and cheese shapes. Unlike the original noodles, which can turn into a mushy mess once their cooked, shapes tend to hold their rigid structure.

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 ...

Who makes the worlds best cheese? ›

Norwegian blue cheese Nidelven Blå has been crowned the best cheese in the world for the year 2023. The crowning took place in a competition at the 35th World Cheese Awards, held at the Trondheim Spektrum indoor arena in Norway.

Who makes great value mac and cheese? ›

Walmart's Great Value line of products spans hundreds of goods. This includes things like pasta, frozen meals, peanut butter, bread, desserts and canned goods. It even includes nonperishables like trash bags, light bulbs and other household products.

What country is known for mac and cheese? ›

Its origins trace back to cheese and pasta casseroles dating to the 14th century in Italy and medieval England. The traditional macaroni and cheese is a casserole baked in the oven; however, it may be prepared in a sauce pan on top of the stove or using a packaged mix.

Which president made mac and cheese popular? ›

James Hemings: The Enslaved Chef of Thomas Jefferson Who Created Mac and Cheese.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Saturnina Altenwerth DVM

Last Updated:

Views: 5497

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (64 voted)

Reviews: 87% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Saturnina Altenwerth DVM

Birthday: 1992-08-21

Address: Apt. 237 662 Haag Mills, East Verenaport, MO 57071-5493

Phone: +331850833384

Job: District Real-Estate Architect

Hobby: Skateboarding, Taxidermy, Air sports, Painting, Knife making, Letterboxing, Inline skating

Introduction: My name is Saturnina Altenwerth DVM, I am a witty, perfect, combative, beautiful, determined, fancy, determined person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.