Mac and cheese is a hearty favorite that warms up your belly and makes your taste buds dance. If you're looking for the yummiest mac and cheese recipes, you've come to the right place. From the simplest one-pot wonders to scrumptious baked versions that bubble with cheesy goodness, we've got it all.
Mac And Cheese Recipes
We're talking about classic Southern styles that bring a taste of down-home comfort to your kitchen and special recipes that are so good, they've been tried and loved by many. Below you will find ten delicious mac and cheese recipes to try, each with its unique twist.
One-pot Mac And Cheese
With just a single pot, you can blend the rich flavors of cheddar, Monterey Jack, and cream cheese into elbow macaroni for a perfect, gooey blend. It's all about less cleanup and more flavor, finished off with a buttery Ritz cracker topping that crisps up the experience. This dish is a surefire hit, with simple steps and delicious results.
Ingredients
For the topping (optional)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 24 (76g) Ritz crackers, crushed (about 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons)
- ⅛ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Pinch kosher salt
For the mac and cheese
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- ½ teaspoon ground mustard
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste
- Pinch cayenne (optional)
- 4 cups water
- 2 cups half and half
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
- 4 ounces cream cheese, cubed and at room temperature
- 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated (about 2 packed cups)
- 4 ounces Monterey Jack cheese, freshly grated (about 1 packed cup)
Creamy Baked Mac And Cheese
Perfect for a cozy night in, this dish uses elbow macaroni or cavatappi to hug the rich, smooth cheese sauce made from your choice of freshly shredded cheeses. Opting for a quick, stove-top version or a crispy baked finish, it's endlessly customizable and joyfully easy, making any dinner feel like a special occasion.
Ingredients
For the topping:
- 2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter
- ⅔ cup plain panko breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup shredded Parmesan
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅛ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Pinch cayenne pepper
To Make the macaroni:
- 10 ounces elbow macaroni pasta or cavatappi
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
For the sauce
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- 1 (10-ounce) brick cheddar cheese, shredded (about 3 cups thickly shredded cheddar cheese)
- 2 ½ cups whole milk
- ½ teaspoon white pepper
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon mustard powder
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese
Whether it's a cozy dinner or festive side, it's the creamy, crunchy topping that crowns this classic a sure winner. Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese warms hearts with its gooey, melted blend of favorite cheeses, tucked into layers of tender pasta.
Ingredients
1 lb. dried elbow pasta
½ cup unsalted butter
½ cup all purpose flour
1 ½ cups whole milk
2 ½ cups half and half
4 cups shredded medium cheddar cheese divided (measured after shredding)
2 cups shredded Gruyere cheese divided (measured after shredding)
½ Tbsp. salt
½ tsp. black pepper
¼ tsp. paprika smoked paprika is our favorite!
Southern Macaroni And Cheese
With its rich, buttery taste and a special blend of cheeses, this dish stands out. What makes it truly Southern? It's all about the gooey, heartwarming cheesiness, stirred into perfectly cooked pasta and baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
- 16 Ounces Elbow Macaroni
- 3 ½ Cups Sharp Cheddar Cheese, shredded (reserve 1 cup for topping)
- ¼ Cup Butter, softened
- 1 ½ Cups Milk, whole or 2%
- 3 Eggs, beaten
- ½ Cup Sour Cream
- ½ teaspoon Salt
Carrian's Extra GOOEY Version
- 16 Ounces Elbow Macaroni, see note
- 7 Tablespoons Butter, melted
- 2 Cups Heavy Cream
- 1 Cup Half and Half, or whole milk
- 2 Large Eggs, whisked in a bowl
- 3 Tablespoons Sour Cream
- 1 ¼ teaspoon Season Salt, see note
- ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ½ teaspoon Onion Powder
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- ¼ teaspoon Pepper
- 16 Ounces Colby Jack Cheese, shredded, Tillamook works best
- 8 Ounces Monterey Jack Cheese, shredded
- 8 Ounces Sharp Cheddar Cheese, shredded
Baked Macaroni And Cheese
Ready in 45 minutes, it's a versatile crowd-pleaser that pairs effortlessly with everything, from a simple salad to your Sunday roast.
Ingredients
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ½ cup all purpose flour
- 4 cup milk (I used 2%)
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 5 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
Baked Mac And Cheese
Loved at every festive table, it's a simple blend of elbow pasta and a rich Gruyere and mozzarella cheese mix. No need for cream; the buttery cheese does all the work, creating a perfect harmony of flavors.
Ingredients
Macaroni:
- 250g / 8 oz macaroni (elbow pasta)
- 1 tablespoon (15g) unsalted butter (or 2 teaspoon oil)
Topping:
- ⅔ cup panko breadcrumbs (Note 1)
- 2 tablespoon (30g) unsalted butter , melted
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Sauce:
- 4 tablespoon (60g) unsalted butter
- ⅓ cup flour , plain / all purpose
- 3 cups milk , warmed (low or full fat)
- 2 cups freshly shredded cheese, gruyere best (followed by cheddar and Colby) (Note 2)
- 1 cup freshly shredded mozzarella cheese , or more other cheese of choice (Note 2)
- ¾ teaspoon salt
Seasonings (optional):
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon mustard powder
Tried The Mac And Cheese
It revolutionizes comfort food with a whopping two-and-a-half pounds of hand-grated cheese and cavatappi noodles for an extra creamy bite. Unlike traditional elbow macaroni, cavatappi's spirals trap all the cheesy goodness, making every forkful a delight.
Ingredients
1 pound cavatappi, cooked
16 ounces mozzarella cheese, grated
16 ounces Colby Jack cheese, grated
8 ounces Cheddar cheese, grated
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons flour
1 (12-ounce) can evaporated milk
2 cups heavy cream
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
Best Baked Mac And Cheese
Created with just 10 ingredients including sharp cheddar and nutty Gruyere, this dish reaches new levels of cheesy bliss. Topped with golden panko breadcrumbs, every bite is a mix of silky pasta and crispy topping.
Ingredients
Equipment
- 3 quart or 9×13-inch casserole dish
- arge Pot
- arge saucepan
- Small skillet
- Large mixing bowl
Ingredients
- 1 pound elbow macaroni (454g)
- ½ cup plus 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (141g)
- ½ cup all-purpose flour (60g)
- 3 cups whole milk (720mL)
- 1 cup heavy cream (240mL)
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ¾ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 10 ounces sharp cheddar cheese shredded (283g)
- 10 ounces gruyere cheese shredded (283g)
- ½ cup panko bread crumbs (60g)
Creamy Stovetop Mac And Cheese
It's thick, uber-cheesy, and crafted with a foolproof combination of American and cheddar cheeses melted into a flawless roux. This easy, stovetop recipe skips the baking for a speedy, scrumptious dish designed to satisfy your cheese cravings instantly. Perfect as a main dish or a side, it's the ultimate creamy delight for any day of the week.
Ingredients
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
- ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter
- ¼ cup (49 g) + 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 5 cups (1200 ml) whole milk
- 24 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 8 ounces American cheese, sliced and chopped
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Ultimate Macaroni And Cheese Recipe
The Ultimate Macaroni and Cheese recipe transforms a childhood classic with a grown-up twist. Mixing four melt-worthy cheeses - sharp cheddar, Gruyere, Jarlsberg, and Fontina - creates a cheese lover's dream. Ditching the boxed version, this simple, customizable dish brings creaminess, nostalgic comfort, and a cheesy, breadcrumb-topped delight straight to your table.
Ingredients
For Macaroni & Cheese:
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
- 1 quart (4 cups) whole milk
- 1 tablespoon Kosher salt (Diamond Crystal)*
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dry ground mustard
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 stick (113 grams) unsalted butter, sliced
- ½ cup (64 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
- 1 egg, beaten
- 8 ounces (2 cups) extra sharp cheddar cheese, grated
- 4 ounces (1 cup) Gruyere cheese, grated
- 4 ounces (1 cup) Jarlsberg cheese, grated
- 4 ounces (1 cup) Fontina cheese, grated
For Topping:
- 1 cup Panko bread crumbs
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
- 2 tablespoons (28 grams) unsalted butter, melted
