Thanksgiving Mac and Cheese Recipes

Updated October 09, 2019
Credit: Johnny Autry; Styling: Leigh Ann Ross

There's no occasion more deserving of creamy, decadent mac and cheese than Thanksgiving. Even though mac and cheese is an everyday dish, there's plenty you can do to make it special. These mac and cheese recipes are all worth a spot at the coveted Thanksgiving table. 

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Uncle Jack's Mac-and-Cheese

Credit: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

Uncle Jack's Mac-and-Cheese Recipe

Classic cafeteria-style goodness, this recipe yields enough to serve as a side for a crowd, or it could be dinner for a family of four. Recipe by Pam Rawlinson, North Augusta, South Carolina.

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Roasted Veggie Mac and Cheese

Credit: Caitlin Bensel

Roasted Veggie Mac and Cheese Recipe

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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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Blue Cheese Mac-And-Cheese

Credit: Meredith Food Studios

Blue Cheese Mac-And-Cheese Recipe

This incredibly rich baked mac and (blue) cheese might be the one dish that even the most staunch blue cheese hater will embrace with open arms. If a side dish better suited to accompany your next steak dinner exists, we sure don’t know what it could be.

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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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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 Cheese with Squash

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

Mac and Cheese with Squash Recipe

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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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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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Easy Stovetop Mac and Cheese

Credit: Brian Woodcock; Styling: Mary Clayton Carl

Easy Stovetop Mac and Cheese Recipe

Who needs a meal from a box when you can make something way tastier with the same amount of ease? Delightfully rich and cheesy, this hearty pasta dish is a staple for any home cook. Serve with Creamy Tomato Soup. Or serve with Green Salad with Simple Vinaigrette.

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Gnocchi Mac and Cheese

Credit: Alison Miksch; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

Gnocchi Mac and Cheese Recipe

Turn this kid-friendly side into an entrée by serving with a salad and warm, crusty bread.

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Skillet Mushroom Mac and Cheese

Credit: Photography: Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Anna Hampton; Prop Styling: Thom Driver.

Skillet Mushroom Mac and Cheese Recipe

Mushrooms and aged Gruyère cheese add heft and depth to this one-pan vegetarian main.

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Lobster Mac and Cheese

Credit: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Rachael Burrow

Lobster Mac and Cheese Recipe

Creamy, cheesy pasta pairs perfectly with rich lobster for an indulgent, off-the-coast dinner.

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One-Pan Broccoli-Bacon Mac 'n' Cheese

Credit: Randy Mayor; Styling: Missie Neville Crawford

One-Pan Broccoli-Bacon Mac 'n' Cheese Recipe

Butternut squash puree enhances the color here without distracting from the cheesy flavor, and it sneaks in another serving of vegetables. If you can't find frozen butternut puree, swap in an equal amount of mashed sweet potato or canned unsweetened pumpkin.

$8.15 for six servings

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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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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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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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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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Broccoli Mac and Cheese

Credit: Randy Mayor; Styling: Cindy Barr

Broccoli Mac and Cheese Recipe

Dijon mustard and Worcestershire sauce add savory depth to this creamy mac. If you can't find large elbows, regular elbows will work.

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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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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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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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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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