Macaroni and cheese, perhaps the ultimate comfort food. This creamy, cheesy, gooey pasta dish is a favorite for all ages. It’s just one of those dishes you can’t help going back for.
Whether eaten as a main, or piled alongside some fried chicken or meatloaf as a side, it’s a dish we can all agree is absolutely irresistible. We decided to compile a list of delicious and easy Mac and Cheese Recipes to up your comfort food game.
Here you’ll find everything from basic stovetop and baked recipes, to unique methods like sheet pan, slow cooker and instant pot.
We have rounded up recipes that include various meats and veggies, and even some with unique flavorings like Cajun seasoning and Indian masala.
Cook your way through this list of great macaroni recipes, I’m sure many of them will find their way into your regular rotation!
1. Stovetop Mac and Cheese
Beginning our delicious list is this homemade one-pan Stovetop Mac and Cheese. It’s great for a meal that needs to be made quicker, and you can customize what gets mixed in by choosing add-ins like cooked broccoli or glazed carrots.
Get the Recipe @ dinneratthezoo
2. Johnny Marzetti (A Midwest Classic)
Who is Johnny Marzetti? One hearty and nostalgic American casserole, that’s who. You might call him by another name, but you know this one!
3. Baked Mac and Cheese
This beautiful Baked Mac and Cheese is cheesy, creamy and topped with panko-parmesan crunch bits. The panko gets mixed with parmesan, butter, and paprika to make for a beautiful golden-brown bake.
4. Tuscan Chicken Mac and Cheese
Filled with a ton of flavor in just one pot, you have to check out this Tuscan Chicken Mac and Cheese. It’s got garlic, sun dried tomatoes, mozzarella and parmesan cheese, spinach, sauce, and tasty pan-seared chicken.
5. Blue Cheese Bacon Mac and Cheese
While Blue Cheese Bacon Mac and Cheese may sound unique, this dish is sure to impress you! The blue cheese is paired with a sharp white cheddar, crispy bacon, butter, and more to bring together a great dish.
Get the Recipe @ gimmesomeoven
6. Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese
If you’ve got a little extra time to spare, try making this Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese. Blending a tender pasta with two different cheeses and seasoning, this dish is creamy, cheesy, and absolutely worth the wait.
Get the Recipe @ dinneratthezoo
7. Taco Mac and Cheese
Can’t decide between a taco Tuesday or a mac and cheese Monday? Then we have the dish for you! This terrific Taco Mac and Cheese combines traditional mac and cheese with taco seasoning, black beans, green onions, and fresh cilantro!
8. Spanakopita Mac and Cheese
If you’re craving Greek food, or something similar to a spinach pie, why not try this Spanakopita Mac and Cheese? It’s definitely more sophisticated than traditional mac and cheese, but the authentic Greek flavors will have you falling in love with it!
Get the Recipe @ lemonsforlulu
9. Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese
This easy to make Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese can be ready for dinner in under an hour, and it tastes great! This cozy meal is made with butter, flour, tons of smoked Gouda cheese, pasta, milk, and more to make an excellent dish. YUMMM.
Get the Recipe @ theviewfromgreatisland
10. Cajun Chicken Mac and Cheese
Cajun seasoning gives this recipe a kick! You can determine how hot the spice is, so it can be mild or burning depending on your preferences. So good.
11. Italian Style Mac and Cheese
Classic mac and cheese, but made Italian style! This Italian Style Mac and Cheese is made using penne noodles covered in mozzarella cheese sauce. It’s also filled with Italian seasoning and freshly grated parmesan.
12. Mac and Cheese Cups
These adorable Mac and Cheese Cups are perfect for serving a large crowd, or if you just want to make a fun lunch! They bake into crispy cups, that are filled with pasta on the inside that’s soft and creamy. Easy staple ingredients help make this dish easy-peasy.
Get the Recipe @ therecipecritic
13. Pimento Mac and Cheese
Pimento cheese, pimento cheese please! This phenomenal Pimento Mac and Cheese is perfect for pimento cheese lovers, or anyone looking for a tasty dish. Made with elbow macaroni, milk, red peppers, and more, you don’t want to miss it!
14. Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
If you’re starving and you want food quickly, try making this Instant Pot Mac and Cheese. It uses only five ingredients, and can be made in under fifteen minutes. Perfect if you just need food right away!
15. Carbonara Mac and Cheese Souffle
Described as fluffy, puffy, yummy, gooey, cheesy, and creamy, this Carbonara Mac and Cheese packs in so much flavor, you need at least six adjectives to describe it! The traditional Roman dish is combined with the homemade classic to make a great meal.
16. Lobster Mac and Cheese
Want some seafood in your mac and cheese? This Lobster Mac and Cheese is both flavorful and indulgent. The gooey cheesiness combined with the melt-in-your mouth lobster makes for a spectacular dish.
Get the Recipe @ therecipecritic
17. Sheet Pan Mac and Cheese
This mac and cheese is made on a sheet pan and covered with a layer of crunchy bits. It’s like a fresh baked casserole, except the top is crispy and baked to perfection, and the inside is filled with creamy mac and cheese.
Get the Recipe @ damndelicious
18. Creamy Broccoli Mac and Cheese
The best way to get your vegetables in is to add them to this delicious creamy Broccoli Mac and Cheese. It’s a fairly basic recipe, but it uses pasta shells for the pasta and adds in some broccoli to help spruce things up!
Get the Recipe @ damndelicious
19. Jalapeño Popper Mac and Cheese
Is anyone craving something spicy? This Jalapeño Popper Mac and Cheese is salty and cheesy with a bit of spice. It’s got jalapeños, crispy bacon, cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and it’s topped with buttery panko crumbs and baked until golden brown.
Get the Recipe @ spicysouthernkitchen
20. Creamed Spinach Mac and Cheese
Another great recipe that sneaks the greens in, this Creamed Spinach Mac and Cheese takes a bunch of fresh spinach and bakes it into an amazing pot of cheesy goodness. Even if you aren’t a fan of vegetables, you should still try it for yourself.
21. Mac and Cheese Meatloaf Casserole
While Mac and Cheese Meatloaf isn’t something you hear everyday, this casserole pulls it off! This hearty dinner has a ground beef base, with the creamy mac and cheese on top, making for a great combination of two classic comfort foods!
Get the Recipe @ thisisnotdietfood
22. Smoked Sausage Mac and Cheese
This creamy mac and cheese is filled with spectacular smoked sausage. It works great as a main dish, and pairs nicely with fresh vegetables, or any other healthy side dish. You’ll be sure to love it!
23. Garlic Shrimp Mac and Cheese
This outrageously good Garlic Shrimp Mac and Cheese can be made using only one pot and takes under twenty minutes. Who doesn’t love a dish that tastes great and is easy to make?
Get the Recipe @ recipetineats
24. Roasted Veggie Mac and Cheese
You’ll easily get your vegetables in with this Roasted Veggie Mac and Cheese. The dish is both colorful and comfy, containing vegetables like squash, red bell peppers, broccoli and more!
Get the Recipe @ gimmesomeoven
25. Panera Copycat White Cheddar Mac and Cheese
If you love the mac and cheese they serve at Panera, then you must try this Panera Copycat White Cheddar Mac and Cheese! It’s super rich and creamy, just like your favorite restaurant.
26. Masala Mac and Cheese
This Masala Mac and Cheese is mouthwaterin. If you’re craving something comforting and spicy, this one’s for you!
Get the Recipe @ ministryofcurry
27. Mac and Cheese Ham Casserole
Go ahead and ham it up with this Mac and Cheese Ham Casserole. It’s not just delicious, but also easy to make and filled with ham chunks and shredded cheese. It’s sure to become a family favorite.
Get the Recipe @ togetherasfamily
28. Breakfast Mac and Cheese
There’s nothing wrong with wanting mac and cheese for breakfast, and this recipe is perfect for it. It’s made with one pot and uses three different cheeses, spicy breakfast sausage, potatoes, and a runny egg. Perfect start for your morning!
Get the Recipe @ showmetheyummy
29. Creamy Pesto Mac and Cheese
Feel the power of pesto with this Creamy Pesto Mac and Cheese. Mixed in beautiful béchamel sauce, grated parmesan, and doused in perfect pesto, this dish is sure to impress even the most picky pesto lovers.
30. Italian Meatball Mac and Cheese Stuffed Peppers
Last but most certainly not least are these Italian Meatball Mac and Cheese Stuffed Peppers. The peppers serve as a shell or container for the meatball mac and cheese, making for a wonderful party dish.
Get the Recipe @ halfbakedharvest
YUMMM! Who knew there were so many different ways to enjoy your favorite mac and cheese? Try some classics, or experiment with different cooking methods, cheeses or add ins. They’re all so good!
Bookmark or pin this delicious collection so you always know where to find it the next time those cheesy cravings hit. And be sure to subscribe to GypsyPlate, we’re always cooking up new dishes for you. Have fun…
30 BEST Mac and Cheese Variations
This great collection of easy Mac and Cheese Recipes will give you plenty of creamy, cheesy, gooey dishes everyone will love!
Ingredients
- elbow macaroni
- cheese
- butter
- flour
- milk
- salt
- pepper
Instructions
- Choose a recipe that looks tasty. Try something you haven't had before, it's fun to experiment!
- Make a shopping list and buy the ingredients.
- Cook your new favorite Mac and Cheese Recipe!
Notes
- Let me know which recipes you try, I love hearing from you!
Try some of our other recipe collections!
Chicken Recipes
Tilapia Recipes
Soup Recipes
Dessert Recipes
Mexican Street Corn Recipes
Stir Fry Recipes
Salad Recipes
Chili Recipes
Ramen Recipes
Welcome to GypsyPlate! I'm Alpana, former wordwide tour manager and professional caterer, now full time blogger. I love exploring cuisines from around the world, and my recipes have been featured on sites such as MSN, Parade, Brit + Co, CNET and AOL. You can explore my entire collection of sortable recipes in my Recipe Index or learn more about me here.
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