17 Ooey Gooey Mac ‘n Cheese Recipes That’ll Make You Ditch The Box
We have put together a collection of mac and cheese recipes that are sure to outshine any boxed version. These dishes are easy to prepare and packed with rich, creamy flavors that make each bite a comfort food delight.
Perfect for family dinners, casual gatherings, or when you need a little cheesy goodness in your life, these recipes bring homemade taste and satisfaction that boxed mac and cheese just can’t match. Get ready to indulge in the ultimate comfort dish that everyone will love!
Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese with Pancetta
Take standard mac and cheese to inspire new heights with this smoked gouda mac and cheese with pancetta recipe. Elbow noodles pair up with gouda cheese, white cheddar, garlic, pancetta or bacon, shallots, and more to create this seriously impressive dish.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese with Pancetta
Buffalo Chicken Mac And Cheese
Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese puts a delicious spin on classic macaroni and cheese. It’s creamy, cheesy, mildly spicy, and has a hint of smokiness. A simple but irresistibly creamy buffalo cheese sauce is combined with tender macaroni pasta and shredded chicken (leftover rotisserie chicken is a great option!).
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Mac And Cheese
Butternut Squash Mac And Cheese
Butternut Mac and Cheese with roasted butternut squash. This recipe takes a spin on an iconic American dish. We combine elbow macaroni, butternut squash, and Cheddar cheese to create a delicious classic with a twist.
Get the Recipe: Butternut Squash Mac And Cheese
Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with our gourmet twist on Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese. Creamy, smoky, and utterly satisfying. Perfect for a cozy evening.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese
Pulled Pork Mac And Cheese
If you love BBQ pork, then you’re going to love this easy stovetop Pulled Pork Mac and Cheese with smoked Cheddar.
Get the Recipe: Pulled Pork Mac And Cheese
Pizza Mac and Cheese
Tease your tastebuds with this cheesy and meaty Pizza Mac and Cheese. This dish will surely be the next family favorite for casual gatherings or brunch, especially if you love recipes like zucchini pizza bites or cheeseburger macaroni.
Get the Recipe: Pizza Mac and Cheese
Turkey Skillet Mac And Cheese
This one-pot turkey mac and cheese is like a grownup version of Hamburger Helper and a much healthier option than that boxed stuff.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Skillet Mac And Cheese
Slow Cooker Jalapeno Mac and Cheese
If you’re looking for comfort food with a twist, this slow cooker jalapeno mac and cheese recipe is the perfect dish to try.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Jalapeno Mac and Cheese
Apple Cider Mac And Cheese With Crispy Bacon
This easy apple cheddar mac and cheese recipe gets a perfect-for-fall twist by using hard apple cider and crispy bacon in a white cheddar cheese sauce.
Get the Recipe: Apple Cider Mac And Cheese With Crispy Bacon
Tuna Mac and Cheese
This Tuna Mac and Cheese is a hearty, delicious throwback recipe that never disappoints!
Get the Recipe: Tuna Mac and Cheese
Mac and Cheese with Broccoli
This quick & easy one-pot gluten-free mac and cheese features soft & chewy Jovial pasta and broccoli florets smothered in a deliciously creamy cheese sauce. This cheesy broccoli pasta is the perfect comfort food!
Get the Recipe: Mac and Cheese with Broccoli
Mac’n Cheese With Peas And Bacon
This creamy Greek yogurt macaroni and cheese has all the creamy, cheesy comfort of the traditional dish but is much lighter and healthier!
Get the Recipe: Greek Yogurt Mac’n Cheese With Peas And Bacon
Sweet Potato Mac And Cheese With Spinach
This super creamy sweet potato mac and cheese uses pureed sweet potato, almond milk, and two different kinds of cheese.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Mac And Cheese With Spinach
Baked Cauliflower Mac And Cheese
This Baked Cauliflower Mac and Cheese recipe is like a mashup between cauliflower au gratin and the best mac n cheese. It’s a gooey and cheesy macaroni and cheese with a buttery, crunchy top, but it also has an entire head of cauliflower inside!
Get the Recipe: Baked Cauliflower Mac And Cheese
Pepperoni Mac and Cheese Skillet Recipe
Pepperoni Mac and Cheese Skillet – Two classic childhood favorites come together in this cheesy, gooey, pepperoni-topped, and noodle-filled baked skillet. Ready in just 30 minutes, this easy Pepperoni Mac and Cheese Skillet Recipe is guaranteed to have your kids begging for more!
Get the Recipe: Pepperoni Mac and Cheese Skillet Recipe
Seafood Mac and Cheese
Friends! I have to tell you, this is one of the best loaded Mac ’n Cheese recipes I have ever tasted! It is so rich and flavorful, and I would be remiss if I did not share this Seafood Mac and Cheese recipe with you!
Get the Recipe: Seafood Mac and Cheese
Lobster Mac and Cheese Recipe
Have you ever had Lobster Mac and Cheese? It is so amazing! You must try it! This Lobster Mac and Cheese Recipe takes about 30 minutes to put together and then another 30 minutes in the oven.
Get the Recipe: Lobster Mac and Cheese Recipe
Maike Corbett is the founder and food blogger of Cheerful Cook, a popular recipe website featuring comfort food recipes from the US and Germany. She has been featured in numerous media outlets, including the AP Wire and MSN.