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Our Best Mac and Cheese Recipes

Our Best Mac and Cheese Recipes

Updated March 08, 2019

Credit: Gooseberry Patch

You can argue all you want, but macaroni and cheese is the ultimate comfort food. Whether you're eating it out of a box or at a holiday potluck, mac and cheese envelops you in warmth, and saying there's a better edible combination than pasta and cheese is straight-up lying to yourself. We've got every mac and cheese recipe you could possibly want, ranging from quick stovetop mac and cheese to luscious baked mac and cheese, in one place.

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Quick Stovetop Mac and Cheese

Credit: Jennifer Causey

Quick Stovetop Mac and Cheese Recipe

We like brown rice pasta here for three reasons: It’s whole-grain, it’s a dead ringer (taste- and texture-wise) for traditional pasta, and it’s gluten- free. You could also use a wheat- or chickpea-based pasta.

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Eat This Breakfast Mac and Cheese Straight Out of the Pan

Credit: photo by Caitlin Bensel

Eat This Breakfast Mac and Cheese Straight Out of the Pan Recipe

Mac and cheese became athing in New York restaurants years ago. There are a few spots that only sell mac and cheese, and one in Brooklyn that will remain nameless may be the worst restaurant in the city. Or, if not actually the worst, at least the most hated by those who've been burned by them. You know who you are! Some other spots will charge you $17 for it with a smile. And sure, it may be a rich, truffle oily mess of mac and cheese that’s way better than the boxed stuff, but try making real mac and cheese at home and you’ll never be duped again. Our breakfast mac and cheese has bacon, tater tots, and two types of cheese. From start to finish, it’ll take you 40 minutes to make and probably two minutes to eat, and you won’t need to put on pants.

Baked Breakfast Mac and Cheese

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Copycat Panera Bread Mac and Cheese

Credit: Photographer: Antara Sinha; Food Sylist: Briana Riddock

Copycat Panera Bread Mac and Cheese Recipe

The famously cheesy, kid-friendly side item on the Panera Bread menu has garnered popularity among customers of all ages. Now, you can enjoy the rich and saucy goodness of that white cheddar mac and cheese anytime, and in the comfort of your own kitchen. No need to crank up the oven either, this easy-to-prepare mac and cheese is made entirely on the stove top—in under thirty minutes. The cheese sauce is made with a combination of white cheddar and white American cheese that melt together to form a decadently thick and smooth sauce. We opted to use Dijon mustard instead of dried mustard for a subtle hint of spice to balance all the rich creaminess of the sauce. Even the pickiest of eaters in your family won’t be able to resist this simple mac and cheese recipe.

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Spanish Mac and Cheese

Credit: Jennifer Causey

Spanish Mac and Cheese Recipe

It’s surprising how much flavor you can achieve in such a short amount of time. Little bits of Spanish chorizo (the hard, cured kind) are wonderful in the breadcrumb topping.

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Bacon and Broccoli Mac and Cheese

Credit: Johnny Autry; Styling: Leigh Ann Ross

Bacon and Broccoli Mac and Cheese Recipe

This one-dish meal will win over adults and children alike. Substitute English peas or fresh spinach for the broccoli, if you prefer.

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One-Pan Mac 'n' Cheese

Credit: Thomas J. Story

One-Pan Mac 'n' Cheese Recipe

Homemade sharp cheddar cheese sauce and smoked-paprika bread crumbs give this mac a massive flavor boost over the boxed version. For the easiest prep in camp, make the cheese sauce and bread crumbs at home, and buy one-pan, no-drain pasta. (Or cook regular pasta in camp as noted below.)

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Baked Mac and Cheese

Credit: Brian Woodcock; Styling: Paige Hicks

Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe

From the Kitchen of…Rebecca Longshore, Assistant Digital Editor

"I love how my Grandmother Howard's mac and cheese has a crunchy, cheesy crust over a creamy center."

The key to Rebecca's grandmother's dish was evaporated milk. We added a surprise ingredient, canola mayonnaise, to make things extra creamy.

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Southern Pimiento Mac and Cheese

Credit: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Southern Pimiento Mac and Cheese Recipe

Undercook the pasta by 1 minute. It will continue to cook in the creamy sauce while the crumb topping toasts under the broiler.

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Chicken Chili Mac and Cheese

Credit: Justin Walker; Styling: Carla Gonzalez-Hart

Chicken Chili Mac and Cheese Recipe

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Fontina and Mascarpone Baked Pasta

Credit: Lee Harrelson

Fontina and Mascarpone Baked Pasta Recipe

The nutty flavor of fontina and creaminess of mascarpone create a delicious updated version of mac and cheese.

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Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Jan Gautro, Laura Martin

Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

Give up the box mix because making Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese from scratch is easier than you think. Shredding a block of cheese adds a little more prep time but the smooth and creamy results are worth it. This dish makes for a great side dish that the family will love, or a fun casserole to bring to your next potluck dinner. For more tasty mac and cheese recipes, see our complete Macaroni and Cheese recipe collection.

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Caprese Mac and Cheese

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Caprese Mac and Cheese Recipe

Inspired by the classic Caprese combo of mozzarella, tomatoes, basil, this decadent baked macaroni and cheese recipe is sure to wow. Roasted tomatoes add a touch of sophistication, as well as a burst of bright flavor to cut the richness of this creamy pasta bake.

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Mac and Cheeseburger

Credit: Greg DuPree; Styling: Lindsey Lower

Mac and Cheeseburger Recipe

Mac and cheese gets heartier, and possibly even more family-friendly, when you stir ground beef and fire-roasted tomatoes into the cheese sauce. Make sure to drain the tomatoes so the sauce doesn’t get too thin. We call for whole-grain rotini, but any short pasta shape will work here; just do try to go whole-grain for more nutrition. This budget-friendly dinner costs less than $9. If you don't have dry mustard (used for added depth), stir in a teaspoon of Dijon.

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Barbecue Mac and Cheese

Credit: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Barbecue Mac and Cheese Recipe

Undercook the pasta by 1 minute. It will continue to cook in the creamy sauce while the crumb topping toasts under the broiler.

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Navi Kitchen Tikka Masala Macaroni & Cheese

Credit: Greg Dupree

Navi Kitchen Tikka Masala Macaroni & Cheese Recipe

An instant classic at chef Preeti Mistry’s latest Oakland restaurant, Navi Kitchen, this tikka masala mac & cheese is the embodiment of the chef’s style: Cali-cool mashed up with traditional Indian flavors. To really capture the chef’s super fresh results, toast and grind whole spices with a mortar and pestle or in a coffee grinder.

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Dungeness Crab Mac and Cheese

Credit: Colin Price; Styling: Emma Star Jensen

Dungeness Crab Mac and Cheese Recipe

While Dungeness crab may seem like a splurge for a weeknight, when you add it to this family favorite a little goes a long way.

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Breakfast Mac and Cheese Is a Party on a Stick

Credit: Photos by Alex Tepper

Breakfast Mac and Cheese Is a Party on a Stick Recipe

Every food-obsessed person in New York City probably knows—and loves—The Smith’s mac and cheese for its wickedly rich and cheesy excellence. The mini restaurant empire’s executive chef Brian Ellis amps up the dish’s classic comfort by inviting bacon to the party and deep-frying panko crumb-coated balls of mac and cheese on a stick. The secret to its over-the-top lusciousness? A classic French Mornay sauce (a close cousin to béchamel) that combines fontina, cheddar, Swiss, and Parmesan. Strings of gooey cheese stretch from the stick to your mouth with every bite.

Breakfast Mac and Cheese on a Stick

Ingredients

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Creamy Stovetop Mac and Cheese

Creamy Stovetop Mac and Cheese Recipe

Sharp cheddar, white cheddar, and cream cheese make this cheese sauce ultra creamy, while hot sauce and Worcestershire sauce help round out the rich, cheesy flavors. This stovetop recipe will have you wondering why you ever enjoyed mac and cheese any other way.

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Mexican Mac and Cheese

Credit: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Mexican Mac and Cheese Recipe

Undercook the pasta by 1 minute. It will continue to cook in the creamy sauce while the crumb topping toasts under the broiler.

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Roasted Tomato Mac and Cheese

Credit: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Lindsey Lower

Roasted Tomato Mac and Cheese Recipe

Make this dish gluten-free by using the brown rice elbow pasta and brown rice flour options listed in the ingredients.

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King Ranch Chicken Mac and Cheese

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Buffy Hargett

King Ranch Chicken Mac and Cheese Recipe

All the flavors of a favorite casserole come together in the comfort of mac and cheese. Serve King Ranch Chicken Mac and Cheese to your family, and it will become a quick favorite.

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Instant Pot Mac and Cheese with Bacon

Credit: Briana Riddock

Instant Pot Mac and Cheese with Bacon Recipe

If you thought you loved your Instant Pot, just wait until you make a rich and gooey bowl of macaroni and cheese within minutes. The Instant Pot’s pressure function allows you to skip the entire process of boiling water, cooking, and draining the pasta saving valuable time over a traditional stovetop mac and cheese recipe. And we keep the cheese sauce quick and convenient, as well as decadently creamy, by utilizing canned evaporated milk—an affordable staple that you may already have in your pantry. Plus, evaporated milk packs less fat than using heavy cream, which means you can feel a little better about all the cheese you’re pouring in to make a beautiful melty finish. We opted for a blend of cheddar and Gouda cheeses, but feel free to go all-cheddar or try adding another favorite cheese to the mix.

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Roasted Broccoli Macaroni and Cheese

Credit: Victor Protasio

Roasted Broccoli Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

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Herbed Breadcrumb-Topped Macaroni and Cheese

Credit: Victor Protasio

Herbed Breadcrumb-Topped Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

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Mac and Cheese with Squash

Credit: Alison Miksch; Food Styling: Cat Steele; Prop Styling: Lindsey Lower

Mac and Cheese with Squash Recipe

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Best-Ever Macaroni and Cheese

Credit: Victor Protasio

Best-Ever Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

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Baked Smokin' Macaroni and Cheese

Credit: Beth Dreiling Hontzas; Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine

Baked Smokin' Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

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Three-Cheese Pasta Bake

Three-Cheese Pasta Bake Recipe

This delicious variation on traditional macaroni and cheese is easy to prepare and perfect for weeknight family dinners and weekend entertaining alike. Add cooked chicken, shrimp, or sausage to the pasta bake and serve with a green salad and fresh vegetables for a hearty, well-rounded meal.

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Creamy, Light Macaroni and Cheese

Credit: Caitlin Bensel

Creamy, Light Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

We set out to make a serious dent in the calorie and fat content of good old macaroni and cheese, while preserving the creamy comfort-food texture.

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Ultimate Mac 'n' Cheese

Credit: Jim Franco

Ultimate Mac 'n' Cheese Recipe

Why "ultimate" mac n' cheese? Because the sauce in this recipe is creamy, not grainy; it's flavored with shallots, gruyère, and white wine, like fondue; and it's topped with crunchy sourdough bread crumbs.

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Individual Baked Mac and Cheese

Individual Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe

Everyone gets their own Individual Baked Mac and Cheese for dinner tonight! This meatless one-dish meal is just one of the many recipes featured in the CarbLovers Diet Cookbook.

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Green Chile Mac and Cheese

Credit: Kate Sears; Styling: Susan Vajaranant

Green Chile Mac and Cheese Recipe

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Truffled Mac and Cheese

Credit: Johnny Autry; Styling: Cindy Barr

Truffled Mac and Cheese Recipe

White truffle oil has an intense earthy flavor that wakes up ordinary mac and cheese. We also get extra flavor by steeping the milk with onion and bay leaf.

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Gussied Up Mac 'n' Cheese

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

Gussied Up Mac 'n' Cheese Recipe

Account

Our Best Mac and Cheese Recipes

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Quick Stovetop Mac and Cheese

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Eat This Breakfast Mac and Cheese Straight Out of the Pan

Baked Breakfast Mac and Cheese

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Copycat Panera Bread Mac and Cheese

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Spanish Mac and Cheese

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Bacon and Broccoli Mac and Cheese

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One-Pan Mac 'n' Cheese

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Baked Mac and Cheese

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Southern Pimiento Mac and Cheese

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Chicken Chili Mac and Cheese

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Fontina and Mascarpone Baked Pasta

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Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese

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Caprese Mac and Cheese

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Mac and Cheeseburger

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Barbecue Mac and Cheese

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Navi Kitchen Tikka Masala Macaroni & Cheese

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Dungeness Crab Mac and Cheese

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Breakfast Mac and Cheese Is a Party on a Stick

Breakfast Mac and Cheese on a Stick

Ingredients

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Creamy Stovetop Mac and Cheese

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Mexican Mac and Cheese

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Roasted Tomato Mac and Cheese

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King Ranch Chicken Mac and Cheese

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Instant Pot Mac and Cheese with Bacon

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Roasted Broccoli Macaroni and Cheese

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Herbed Breadcrumb-Topped Macaroni and Cheese

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Mac and Cheese with Squash

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