38 Of The Best Macaroni And Cheese Recipes On Planet Earth (2024)

38 Of The Best Macaroni And Cheese Recipes On Planet Earth (1)

Delicious Everyday

Macaroni and cheese is everything we could want: hot, melted cheese blended in creamy harmony with pasta, one of our all-time favorite comfort foods. Whether your favorite version is classic, jazzed up or lobstered, it’s hard to get enough. But who was responsible for making it popular, anyway?

Thomas Jefferson was an American founding father, the principal author of the Declaration of Independence, and the third president of the United States. But one could argue his greatest achievement was helping to popularize macaroni and cheese in the U.S.

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After encountering macaroni in France and northern Italy in the late 1700s, Jefferson arranged for a special macaroni extruder to be shipped to his home in Virginia, where he served macaroni to guests at presidential dinners, putting the noodle in the spotlight. There even exists a recipe for macaroni noodles written in Jefferson’s own handwriting.

In honor of this important contribution to American cuisine, let’s make some of our favorite recipes for the dish. We’ve got 38 variations, including some for vegans.

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38 Of The Best Macaroni And Cheese Recipes On Planet Earth (2)

Completely Delicious

Classic Baked Macaroni And Cheese

Get the Classic Baked Macaroni And Cheese recipe from Completely Delicious.

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38 Of The Best Macaroni And Cheese Recipes On Planet Earth (3)

Pinch Of Yum

Instant Pot Mac And Cheese

Get the Instant Pot Mac And Cheese recipe from Pinch Of Yum.

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Completely Delicious

Easiest Stovetop Macaroni And Cheese

Get the Easiest Stovetop Macaroni And Cheese recipe from Completely Delicious.

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38 Of The Best Macaroni And Cheese Recipes On Planet Earth (5)

Half Baked Harvest

4-Cheese Caprese Mac And Cheese

Get the 4-Cheese Caprese Mac And Cheese recipe from Half Baked Harvest.

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Delicious Everyday

Classic Vegan Mac And Cheese

Get the Classic Vegan Mac And Cheese recipe from Delicious Everyday.

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I Am A Food Blog

Breakfast Mac And Cheese

Get the Breakfast Mac And Cheese recipe from I Am A Food Blog.

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Damn Delicious

Cauliflower Mac And Cheese

Get the Cauliflower Mac and Cheese recipe from Damn Delicious.

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38 Of The Best Macaroni And Cheese Recipes On Planet Earth (9)

I Am A Food Blog

Truffle Mac And Cheese

Get the Truffle Mac And Cheese recipe from I Am A Food Blog.

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38 Of The Best Macaroni And Cheese Recipes On Planet Earth (10)

Minimalist Baker

Vegan Pumpkin Mac 'n Cheese

Get the Vegan Pumpkin Mac 'n Cheese recipe from Minimalist Baker.

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38 Of The Best Macaroni And Cheese Recipes On Planet Earth (11)

Half Baked Harvest

Creamy Four Cheese Brie And Buttery Ritz Cracker Mac And Cheese

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38 Of The Best Macaroni And Cheese Recipes On Planet Earth (12)

Adventures In Cooking

Roasted Garlic Mac And Cheese

Get the Roasted Garlic Mac and Cheese recipe from Adventures In Cooking.

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38 Of The Best Macaroni And Cheese Recipes On Planet Earth (13)

How Sweet Eats

Blue Cheese Mac And Cheese

Get the Blue Cheese Mac And Cheese recipe from How Sweet Eats.

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38 Of The Best Macaroni And Cheese Recipes On Planet Earth (14)

A Spicy Perspective

Beer Mac And Cheese

Get the Beer Mac and Cheese recipe from A Spicy Perspective.

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How Sweet Eats

Skillet Brussels Bacon Mac And Cheese

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Minimalist Baker

Vegan Green Chili Mac 'n Cheese

Get the Vegan Green Chili Mac 'n Cheese recipe from Minimalist Baker.

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Foodie Crush

Lobster Mac And Cheese

Get the Lobster Mac and Cheese recipe from Foodie Crush.

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Minimalist Baker

Best Vegan Gluten-Free Mac 'n Cheese

Get the Best Vegan Gluten-Free Mac 'n Cheese recipe from Minimalist Baker.

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Damn Delicious

Stovetop Mac And Cheese

Get the Stovetop Mac And Cheese recipe from Damn Delicious.

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38 Of The Best Macaroni And Cheese Recipes On Planet Earth (20)

Half Baked Harvest

Butternut Squash and Brussels Sprouts Mac 'n Cheese With Buttery Bacon Ritz Crackers

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Adventures in Cooking

Bacon, Pear And Blue Cheese Macaroni With Caramelized Onions

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A Beautiful Mess

Creamy Garlic Mac And Cheese

Get the Creamy Garlic Mac And Cheese recipe from A Beautiful Mess.

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Half Baked Harvest

Cheese Maker's Mac And Cheese

Get the Cheese Maker's Mac And Cheese recipe from Half Baked Harvest.

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Foodie Crush

Chicken Divan Macaroni and Cheese

Get the Chicken Divan Macaroni and Cheese recipe from Foodie Crush.

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Naturally Ella

Sweet Potato Mac And Cheese With Spinach

Get the Sweet Potato Mac And Cheese With Spinach recipe from Naturally Ella.

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Little Leopard Book

Roasted Red Pepper Chorizo Baked Mac And Cheese

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Half Baked Harvest

Sneaky Zucchini Mac And Cheese With Everything Bagel Chip Crumbs

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Pinch Of Yum

Steak Mac And Cheese

Get the Steak Mac And Cheese recipe from Pinch Of Yum.

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Half Baked Harvest

Baked Squash Mac And Cheese

Get the Baked Squash Mac And Cheese recipe from Half Baked Harvest.

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I Am A Food Blog

Mac And Cheese Pie

Get the Mac And Cheese Pie recipe from I Am A Food Blog.

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The View From The Great Island

Smokey Gouda Mac And Cheese

Get the Smokey Gouda Mac And Cheese recipe from The View From The Great Island.

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I Am A Food Blog

Stovetop Jalapeno Broccoli Mac And Cheese

Get the Stovetop Jalapeno Broccoli Mac And Cheese recipe from I Am A Food Blog.

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Steamy Kitchen

Greek-Style Mac And Cheese

Get the Greek-Style Mac and Cheese recipe from Steamy Kitchen.

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I Am A Food Blog

One Pot Creamy Pumpkin Mac And Cheese

Get the One Pot Creamy Pumpkin Mac And Cheese recipe from I Am A Food Blog.

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Half Baked Harvest

Irishman's Mac And Cheese

Get the Irishman's Mac And Cheese recipe from Half Baked Harvest.

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Foodie Crush

Stovetop Pesto Macaroni And Cheese With Corn And Sun-Dried Tomatoes

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Minimalist Baker

Vegan Caramelized Onion Mac 'n Cheese

Get the Vegan Caramelized Onion Mac 'n Cheese recipe from Minimalist Baker

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Minimalist Baker

Vegan Garlic Mac 'n Cheese

Get the Vegan Garlic Mac 'n Cheese recipe from Minimalist Baker.

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38 Of The Best Macaroni And Cheese Recipes On Planet Earth (39)

Love Lemons

Vegan Spinach Mac And Cheese

Get the Vegan Spinach Mac And Cheese recipe from Love & Lemons.

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38 Of The Best Macaroni And Cheese Recipes On Planet Earth (2024)

FAQs

What are the 3 best cheeses for mac and cheese? ›

What Is the Best Cheese for Mac and Cheese? Sharp cheddar is the overwhelming popular choice, but for extra-creamy results, we think medium cheddar is even better. Other delicious options include Gruyère, smoked Gouda, and Monterey Jack.

How does Gordon Ramsay make the best mac and cheese? ›

Preparation
  1. In a large pot over medium heat, combine the pasta and milk. ...
  2. Once the pasta is cooked, remove the pan from the heat and add the butter, cheddar cheese, salt, and pepper. ...
  3. Divide between serving bowls and top with the bread crumbs.
  4. Enjoy!
  5. All your favorite recipes, stored in one place.
May 4, 2023

What kind of milk is best for mac and cheese? ›

Milk: Keeps our cheese sauce super creamy. I use whole milk or reduced-fat milk. Mustard and spices: A combination of Dijon mustard, nutmeg, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and salt makes this macaroni and cheese extra delicious. Cheese: I use white cheddar and parmesan or pecorino cheese.

Why add cream cheese to mac and cheese? ›

While the cream cheese adds an important lusciousness, it doesn't do the macaroni and cheese any favors when it comes to its flavor, so it's important to use the sharpest, tangiest Cheddar you can get your hands on. For perfectly coated noodles, make sure to cook the pasta in the sauce for a minute or two.

What makes mac and cheese taste so good? ›

Great mac n' cheese needs one or more cheeses that melt well, and one or more cheeses that bring the flavor. The best melters include monterey jack, fontina, baby swiss, asiago, provolone, mozzarella, and alpine-style. Cheeses for flavor: cheddar, havarti, smoked gouda, gorgonzola, feta and any other of your favorites.

What's in Bob Evans mac and cheese? ›

Cooked Enriched Pasta (Water, Elbow Macaroni [Semolina (Wheat), Niacin, Iron (Ferrous Sulfate), Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid]), Milk, Water, Pasteurized Process Cheese Spread (American Cheese [Pasteurized Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzymes], Water, Whey, Sodium Phosphate, Contains Less than 2% of ...

How do you make mac and cheese taste better? ›

8 Ways to Elevate Your Macaroni and Cheese Dinners
  1. Add extra cheese to your dish.
  2. Mix in some hot sauce and chicken to make buffalo chicken mac n' cheese.
  3. Add in vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower and spinach.
  4. Sprinkle some bacon bits or breadcrumbs on the top of your dish.
  5. Add spices and fresh herbs to your dish.
May 21, 2022

Why is my homemade mac and cheese not creamy? ›

Pro Tip: Don't use pre-shredded cheese. Many store-bought shredded cheese brands coat their cheese with an anti-caking agent than can make sauces grainy and less creamy. While it requires a bit of an arm workout, grating your own yields the best texture.

Why do people put mayo in mac and cheese? ›

The reason mac and cheese with mayo works is because the acid in mayo prevents the dish from ever being too cheesy. Yes, “too cheesy” is a thing, hear us out. Every time you take a bite of your steaming hot mac and cheese, you want to enjoy the delicate mix of flavors.

What not to do when making mac and cheese? ›

Here's what several experts say are the biggest mistakes when it comes to making macaroni and cheese at home and how to avoid making them.
  1. Using Only Cheddar cheese. ...
  2. Not Adding Spice and Seasoning with Salt. ...
  3. Choosing the Wrong Pasta. ...
  4. Overcooking. ...
  5. Skimping on the Toppings.
May 21, 2020

Why is my homemade mac and cheese bland? ›

If your mac and cheese tastes bland, it's either because it's under-seasoned, you didn't use flavorful cheese, or you didn't use enough cheese. Try adding a little more salt first, because that might fix it.

What keeps mac and cheese moist? ›

As a rough guide for 500g (1 pound) pasta you need a sauce made with about 1 litre (1 quart) milk. The pasta should be slightly submerged in sauce when in its baking dish, but once your mac and cheese emerges from the oven the macaroni should be nicely coated with sauce, rather than dry.

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