Our Best Mac and Cheese Recipes (2024)

Cheesy. Gooey. Crunchy. Golden goodness! If anyone ever tries to tell you cheese doesn't make everything all better, they're wrong! Take that creamy cheese sauce and dump it over pasta, and you can pretty much solve all of your problems.

It can take a cranky child and make them a happy one. It can turn a cold, chilly night into the coziest memory. Heck, it could probably even cure a broken heart. (See? It's actually good for you!)

So, let that liquid gold warm your soul and make one of these drool-worthy recipes tonight.

1.Basic Mac 'n' Cheese (with 5-ingredient sauce!)

Our Best Mac and Cheese Recipes (1)

Rachael Ray Show

Let's start with the basics, shall we? Perfect for picky eaters, or for those days when you want a no-fuss, classic mac 'n' cheese. It's easy to make and can be whipped up quickly even on the busiest of nights.

GET THE RECIPE:Basic Mac 'n' Cheese (with 5-ingredient sauce!)

In the video above, Rach shows you how to make this basic version.

2. Garlic Bread Mac and Cheese

Our Best Mac and Cheese Recipes (2)

Rachael Ray Show

Rach's fool-proof mac and cheese base gets a tasty dose of garlic breadcrumbs in this yummy comfort food mash-up.

GET THE RECIPE:Garlic Bread Mac and Cheese

3. Green Chile and Bacon Mac and Cheese

Our Best Mac and Cheese Recipes (3)

Rachael Ray Show

Rach's fool-proof mac & cheese base gets the Tex-Mex treatment with green chiles + crispy bacon.

GET THE RECIPE:Green Chile and Bacon Mac and Cheese

4. Pimiento Cheese Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

Our Best Mac and Cheese Recipes (4)

Rachael Ray Show

Jarred pimientos and some spice give Rach's foolproof mac & cheese base a Southern spin.

GET THE RECIPE:Pimiento Cheese Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

5.Mac 'n' Cheese with Crab and Old Bay Oyster Cracker Topping

If you're having a dinner party, or maybe you just really enjoy seafood, this amped up mac 'n' cheese dinner is perfect for you! Rach cleverly uses crushed-up oyster crackers tossed with Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and chives as the crunchy topper.

GET THE RECIPE:Mac 'n' Cheese with Crab and Old Bay Oyster Cracker Topping

6.Mac, Cheese, Bacon, Onions and Beer with Buffalo-Mustard Pretzel Topping

Our Best Mac and Cheese Recipes (6)

Rachael Ray Show

OHHHH RACH. She's really outdone herself here (because the staff practically dove after this once it was made. No shame.) It's topped with crushed up mustard pretzels, hot sauce and salty bacon for goodnesssake, how could we resist?!

GET THE RECIPE:Mac, Cheese, Bacon, Onions and Beer with Buffalo-Mustard Pretzel Topping

7.Spinach and Artichoke Mac and Cheese with Garlic Bread Breadcrumbs

Our Best Mac and Cheese Recipes (7)

Rachael Ray Show

Spinach and artichoke dip, meet garlic bread and mac 'n' cheese. We think you'll be good friends.

GET THE RECIPE:Spinach and Artichoke Mac and Cheese with Garlic Bread Breadcrumbs

8.Buffalo Chicken Mac 'n' Cheese

Our Best Mac and Cheese Recipes (8)

Rachael Ray Show

This is one of our most popular mac 'n' cheese recipes on the site. Sometimes you just want buffalo wings and mac and cheese, but it's so messy to eat! Now, you don't have to choose. Make this casserole, grab your fork, and be happy.

GET THE RECIPE:Buffalo Chicken Mac 'n' Cheese

9.Queso Dip Mac 'n' Cheese

Our Best Mac and Cheese Recipes (9)

Rachael Ray Show

This tex-mex style mac 'n' cheese might just be too pretty to eat. (We said MIGHT.) As you could probably guess, the base of this cheese sauce is a creamy, spicy queso, and the mac is topped with fresh pico de gallo and lots of crunchy tortilla chips.

GET THE RECIPE:Queso Dip Mac 'n' Cheese

10.Mac and Blue

This classic mac 'n' cheese gets a grown-up twist. Rach uses Gruyère and blue cheeses to give this dish extra flavor.

GET THE RECIPE:Mac and Blue

11.Honey-Mustard Chicken Mac 'n' Cheese with Caramelized Red Onions and Potato Bun Crumb Topping

Our Best Mac and Cheese Recipes (11)

Rachael Ray Show

Got leftover chicken fingers? Toss 'em in honey mustard and make mac 'n' cheese! Between the bites of juicy meat, the cheesy sauce and crunchy topping, this will be your new go-to recipe.

GET THE RECIPE:Honey-Mustard Chicken Mac 'n' Cheese with Caramelized Red Onions and Potato Bun Crumb Topping

12.Carbonara Mac 'n' Cheese Soufflé and Spring Salad

Our Best Mac and Cheese Recipes (12)

Rachael Ray Show

Just look at that picture. Look at it! Don’t you just want to go rogue and dive straight in and eat it with your hands? It's filled with white cheddar, Gruyère, meaty pancetta, and eggs —we give you full permission to eat it for breakfast, lunch, or dinner!

GET THE RECIPE:Carbonara Mac 'n' Cheese Soufflé and Spring Salad

13.Jeanette's Turkey Chili Verde Mac 'n'Cheese

Our Best Mac and Cheese Recipes (13)

Rachael Ray Show

Mmm! Curl up on the couch with this cheesy, chili pasta for a great night!

GET THE RECIPE:Jeanette's Turkey Chili Verde Mac 'n'Cheese

14.Grant's Healthy Pimento Mac

Our Best Mac and Cheese Recipes (14)

Rachael Ray Show

Mac 'n' cheese gets a healthier spin by using whole wheat pasta and a crunchy topping made with whole wheat pita chips!

GET THE RECIPE:Grant's Healthy Pimento Mac

15.Sweetie Pie's Mac 'n'Cheese

Our Best Mac and Cheese Recipes (15)

Rachael Ray Show

If you're craving Southern comfort, look no further than this straight-outta-the-South version of mac 'n' cheese. Indulge, and enjoy!

GET THE RECIPE:Sweetie Pie's Mac 'n'Cheese

16.

Our Best Mac and Cheese Recipes (16)

Rachael Ray Show

Mac & cheese goes southwestern in Rach's latest crowd-pleaser made with roasted green chilies.

GET THE RECIPE:

17.Instant Pot Taco Mac and Cheese

Our Best Mac and Cheese Recipes (17)

Rachael Ray Show

Taco-flavored mac and cheese gets the Instant Pot treatment for a dinner recipe that's faster, easier and healthier than it sounds.

GET THE RECIPE:Instant Pot Taco Mac and Cheese

18.

Our Best Mac and Cheese Recipes (18)

Rachael Ray Show

Fiber-rich canned pumpkin gets stirred into the cheese sauce—and the whole thing is topped with crunchy spiced pumpkin seeds.

GET THE RECIPE:

19.Bacon and Truffle Mac and Cheese

Our Best Mac and Cheese Recipes (19)

Rachael Ray Show

Gruyere, bacon, and truffles take comfort food to another level.

GET THE RECIPE:Bacon and Truffle Mac and Cheese

20.One-Pot Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

YouTube star Donal Skehan shows you how to save time by cooking the pasta in milk so you can make your sauce in the same pan!

Our Best Mac and Cheese Recipes (20)

Rachael Ray Show

GET THE RECIPE:One-Pot Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

Our Best Mac and Cheese Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What are the three 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 does dry mustard do for mac and cheese? ›

Dry mustard. I love this ingredient in macaroni and cheese. It provides a tangy sharpness without injecting a definable flavor. One egg.

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 to add to a box of mac and cheese to make it better? ›

How to Make Boxed Mac and Cheese Taste Better. To improve the tang and overall cheesiness of your boxed mac, add 2 to 3 tablespoons of plain Greek yogurt to the cooked and drained pasta while it's still warm. Toss to combine, then stir in the cheese powder until it's uniformly blended.

Why add cream cheese to mac and cheese? ›

While the cream cheese adds an important lusciousness, it doesn't do the macaroni and cheese any favors when it comes to its flavor, so it's important to use the sharpest, tangiest Cheddar you can get your hands on. For perfectly coated noodles, make sure to cook the pasta in the sauce for a minute or two.

Why put nutmeg in mac and cheese? ›

Yep, Nutmeg! I know it may seem odd to add nutmeg to a cheese sauce. But, it brings out the nuttiness of the cheeses and gives the sauce that extra hint of deliciousness. Nutmeg is traditionally added to a “Béchamel sauce” (or white sauce), which consists of butter, flour, and milk.

Why do you put cornstarch in mac and cheese? ›

For a cheese dip or sauce, the addition of cornstarch serves a similar function: Starch molecules absorb water and expand, not only thickening the liquid phase of the sauce, but also physically preventing the proteins from binding into long, tangled strands and the fats from separating out and pooling.

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 ...

What is the most expensive bowl of mac and cheese? ›

Mac and Cheese

Made by Chef Josian Citrin at Santa Monica restaurant Mélisse, the dish is a white truffle tagliatelle whose price varies between $115 and $130, depending on the quality of the imported Italian truffles.

What can I add to homemade mac and cheese to give it more flavor? ›

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

How do you perk up mac and cheese? ›

7 Simple Ways to Upgrade Boxed Mac and Cheese to Gourmet
  1. Boil it better. ...
  2. Amp up the cheese. ...
  3. Undercook the noodles. ...
  4. Dress up the dairy. ...
  5. Sprinkle in some spices or sauces. ...
  6. Stir in some veggies. ...
  7. Make it a mash-up meal.
Jun 22, 2021

Can I use yogurt instead of milk in mac and cheese? ›

Finally, using a plain yogurt is one of the best options for replacing milk in kraft mac and cheese! A plain whole milk yogurt or a greek yogurt would work well. Mix it in the same way you'd mix in sour cream, until it is well incorporated. This may have a slightly tangier flavor, but that is a personal preference.

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

Milk: Keeps our cheese sauce super creamy. I use whole milk or reduced-fat milk. Mustard and spices: A combination of Dijon mustard, nutmeg, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and salt makes this macaroni and cheese extra delicious. Cheese: I use white cheddar and parmesan or pecorino cheese.

What 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.

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