21 Rich Recipes for Homemade Macaroni and Cheese (2024)

Creamy, cheesy, and piping hot, macaroni and cheese is a nostalgic classic for a reason — and when you need something hearty, the best mac and cheese recipe among these options can become your go-to. Some of our favorites include Raclette-Gruyère Mac and Cheese with Pickled Shallots, Southern-Style Mac 'n' Cheese, and Buttermilk Macaroni and Cheese with Baby Kale. If you prefer pasta shells, prepare Baked Shells with Gremolata Breadcrumbs. No matter which mac 'n' cheese recipe you choose, you're only a few steps away from a cozy, wonderful meal.

01of 21

Raclette-Gruyère Mac and Cheese with Pickled Shallots

21 Rich Recipes for Homemade Macaroni and Cheese (1)

Inspired by älplermagronen, Alpine farmers' macaroni, this Swiss twist on a Thanksgiving classic gets rich flavor from Gruyère and a lush creaminess from Raclette. Traditional versions of this dish are served with applesauce; as a nod to that flavor play, we've added some shallots that are quickly pickled in apple cider vinegar to balance the cheesy richness.

Get the Recipe

02of 21

Baked Shells with Gremolata Breadcrumbs

21 Rich Recipes for Homemade Macaroni and Cheese (2)

Macaroni and cheese is always a crowd-pleaser. This version features a combination of fontina for optimal gooey texture and cheddar for its tangy flavor, and a crispy mix of toasted panko, parsley, lemon, and garlic that cuts through the richness of the ultra-creamy baked shells.

Get the Recipe

03of 21

Southern-Style Mac 'n' Cheese

21 Rich Recipes for Homemade Macaroni and Cheese (3)

Three different kinds of cheese — extra-sharp cheddar, Colby-Jack, and cream cheese — go into this creamy, savory macaroni and cheese recipe, which also gets layers of flavor from fresh bay leaves and dry mustard. Southern-style mac 'n' cheese is typically made with a milk-and-egg base rather than a roux. Here, the milk component is an infused milk-and-cream mixture reserved from cooking the noodles (which adds even more richness to the dish).

Get the Recipe

04of 21

Lobster Mac and Cheese

21 Rich Recipes for Homemade Macaroni and Cheese (4)

This decadent macaroni and cheese has it all: a generous amount of lobster meat and a rich, three-cheese sauce made with fontina, Gruyère, and mascarpone, mixed with pasta and baked under a crunchy topping of panko and Parmesan.

Get the Recipe

05of 21

Mac and Corn Cheese

21 Rich Recipes for Homemade Macaroni and Cheese (5)

Inspired by Stouffer's and Korean restaurant corn cheese, Eric Kim's mac and cheese is enlivened with snappy kernels of sweet corn, pungent onion, and fruity jalapeño.

06of 21

Macaroni and Cheese with Buttery Crumbs

21 Rich Recipes for Homemade Macaroni and Cheese (6)

Small chunks of cheddar and Colby cheeses throughout give this classic dish a perfect hit of flavor and a fabulous gooey texture.

Get the Recipe

07of 21

Crockpot Macaroni and Cheese

21 Rich Recipes for Homemade Macaroni and Cheese (7)

This three-cheese version of the American comfort classic gets a nice kick from a generous pinch of cayenne, while buttery breadcrumbs give it a great crunch.

Get the Recipe

08of 21

Okra Mac and Cheese with Andouille Sausage

21 Rich Recipes for Homemade Macaroni and Cheese (8)

This baked mac and cheese is loaded with andouille sausage, okra, Creole seasoning, and white cheddar and Gruyère cheeses.

Get the Recipe

09of 21

Kentucky Hot Brown Macaroni and Cheese

21 Rich Recipes for Homemade Macaroni and Cheese (9)

We took the essential components of a Hot Brown — roast turkey, tomato, bacon, and Mornay sauce — and combined them for an untraditional macaroni and cheese with the soul of the original.

Get the Recipe

10of 21

Pernil Mac and Cheese

21 Rich Recipes for Homemade Macaroni and Cheese (10)

At their Durham, North Carolina, restaurant Boricua Soul, Serena and Toriano Fredericks serve this garlicky pernil — a Puerto Rican–style roast pork shoulder — on top of a rich and creamy mac and cheese.

Get the Recipe

11of 21

Macaroni and Cheese with Buttery Crumbs

21 Rich Recipes for Homemade Macaroni and Cheese (11)

Small chunks of cheddar and Colby cheeses throughout give this macaroni and cheese a perfect hit of flavor and a fabulous gooey texture.

Get the Recipe

12of 21

Macaroni and Three Cheeses

21 Rich Recipes for Homemade Macaroni and Cheese (12)

White cheddar, gorgonzola, and Parmesan make this deluxe breadcrumb-topped mac and cheese sing.

Get the Recipe

13of 21

Classic Macaroni and Cheese with Potato Chip Crumble

21 Rich Recipes for Homemade Macaroni and Cheese (13)

Potato chips add a decadent crunch to Kate Winslow's classic macaroni and cheese.

Get the Recipe

14of 21

Auntie Monica's Seafood Mac and Cheese

21 Rich Recipes for Homemade Macaroni and Cheese (14)

Loaded with fresh shrimp, crab, and lobster and layered with a rich mixture of cheeses, this macaroni and cheese gets an extra boost of spice from liquid shrimp-and-crab boil. The boil seasoning lends its long-cooked flavor to the casserole without overcooking the delicate seafood.

Get the Recipe

15of 21

Buttermilk Macaroni and Cheese with Baby Kale

21 Rich Recipes for Homemade Macaroni and Cheese (15)

A quick sauté renders baby kale leaves perfectly tender, allowing them to almost melt into the buttermilk-enriched béchamel in chef and cookbook author Alexander Smalls' version of mac and cheese. For a smooth sauce, make sure all of the dairy is at room temperature.

Get the Recipe

16of 21

Grant's Mac and Cheese

21 Rich Recipes for Homemade Macaroni and Cheese (16)

Chef Grant Achatz of Chicago's Alinea uses a white sauce, elbow macaroni, and cheddar cheese, just like the rest of us. His personal touch: a tablespoon of paprika (to enhance the color of the sauce) and lots of smoky, crisp bacon bits.

Get the Recipe

17of 21

Macaroni and Cheese with Bacon and Blue Cheese

21 Rich Recipes for Homemade Macaroni and Cheese (17)

A few snipped chives make a lovely garnish for this mac and cheese with wedge salad vibes.

Get the Recipe

18of 21

Andouille Mac & Cheese

21 Rich Recipes for Homemade Macaroni and Cheese (18)

Chef Paul Nanni grinds and smokes his own andouille sausage for super-generous portions of this Cajun-inspired macaroni and cheese, but you can swap in pre-made sausage when making it at home.

Get the Recipe

19of 21

Three-Cheese Mac and Cheese

21 Rich Recipes for Homemade Macaroni and Cheese (19)

Goat cheese, sharp white cheddar, and Parmigiano-Reggiano, plus sour cream and egg yolks, make this recipe from chef Ben Vaughn of Restaurant Grace in Memphis especially rich.

Get the Recipe

20of 21

Pickled Pepper Macaroni and Cheese

21 Rich Recipes for Homemade Macaroni and Cheese (20)

Crispy panko breadcrumbs add crunch to this rich and cheesy pasta casserole, studded with sweet and spicy pickled peppers.

Get the Recipe

21of 21

Leek Mac and Cheese

21 Rich Recipes for Homemade Macaroni and Cheese (21)

Cooks usually reserve dark, tough leek greens for stock. Here, F&W's Grace Parisi sautés them until they're soft and supple, then folds them into a luscious macaroni and cheese made with nutty Manchego.

Get the Recipe

21 Rich Recipes for Homemade Macaroni and Cheese (2024)

FAQs

What to add to mac and cheese to make it 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

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 is the best cheese combination for homemade mac and cheese? ›

Cheddar and Monterey Jack are a match made in gooey heaven, especially when they're blanketed in tons of crisp topping. At last, a recipe that's as easy as the boxed stuff, but so much tastier. It relies on Monterey Jack, Parmesan and two smooth melters: American cheese and cream cheese.

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 put mustard in mac and cheese? ›

Mustard Powder: The secret ingredient you should always add to your Mac and cheese. The acidity in the mustard helps cut through the fat. You can find it in the spice section of any major grocery store. Otherwise, swap it for 1/2 to 1 tablespoon of Dijon or yellow mustard to taste or omit it.

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 ...

What is mac and cheese rich in? ›

Mac and cheese contains large amounts of fat and refined carbs, both of which contribute to its high calorie count. Eating more calories than you burn, regardless of which foods they come from, can lead to weight gain.

What cheeses not to use for mac and cheese? ›

Dry, crumbly cheeses like feta or cotija are not ideal.

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.

How to keep macaroni and cheese creamy? ›

Cream cheese: Here's my secret ingredient for the best creamy mac and cheese. A little cream cheese adds a lovely silky texture to the sauce.

Can you add too much cheese to mac and cheese? ›

Use the right kind of cheese

Try not to use too much of the grated hard cheeses like pecorino Romano or Parmesan. A little of either is great for flavor, but too much and the sauce can become grainy and dry.

Why not use shredded cheese for mac and cheese? ›

The general rule is that freshly grated cheese is better quality since there are no additional ingredients and it melts better. This is especially important in creamy and really cheesy dishes, like mac and cheese or queso dip.

Why does my mac and cheese taste bland? ›

Try adding a little more salt first, because that might fix it. If the problem was the cheese you use doesn't have much flavor, then try adding some other flavors, such has mustard or hot sauce. The next time you make it, try to find some more strongly flavor cheese, or adding more cheese.

What can I add to bland mac and cheese? ›

Try adding a little more salt first, because that might fix it. If the problem was the cheese you use doesn't have much flavor, then try adding some other flavors, such has mustard or hot sauce. The next time you make it, try to find some more strongly flavor cheese, or adding more cheese.

What adds Flavour to mac and cheese? ›

Cayenne, Nutmeg, Black Pepper, and Dry Mustard

Simply add ½ teaspoons of cayenne, black pepper, and dry mustard with a dash of nutmeg to a mixture of 1 egg and 1 cup (0.24 l) of heavy cream. Pour this spice mixture on top of your traditional mac and cheese recipe before baking.

How do you increase the flavor of cheese in mac and cheese? ›

Cayenne pepper is a classic seasoning that adds warmth and enhances the flavour of the cheese.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Mrs. Angelic Larkin

Last Updated:

Views: 6555

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (47 voted)

Reviews: 86% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Mrs. Angelic Larkin

Birthday: 1992-06-28

Address: Apt. 413 8275 Mueller Overpass, South Magnolia, IA 99527-6023

Phone: +6824704719725

Job: District Real-Estate Facilitator

Hobby: Letterboxing, Vacation, Poi, Homebrewing, Mountain biking, Slacklining, Cabaret

Introduction: My name is Mrs. Angelic Larkin, I am a cute, charming, funny, determined, inexpensive, joyous, cheerful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.