30 Family-Pleasing Macaroni and Cheese Recipes

Servings of pressure cooker macaroni and cheese cooked in the Instant Pot. — Diana Rattray

Macaroni and cheese is everyone's favorite comfort food. Besides being a tasty dish, mac and cheese is extremely versatile; you can make it a main entrée or simple side dish. For a heartier dish with extra protein, add bacon, chicken, or ham, or spice your mac and cheese up with jalapeño peppers or Tex-Mex seasonings. Or add some steamed vegetables and use a variety of cheeses. The possibilities are endless! Get yourself started with these cheesy and delicious recipes and ideas.

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Macaroni and Cheese With Bacon

The Spruce

Green onions and a dash of garlic powder flavor this macaroni and cheese with bacon. The dish is baked to perfection with a buttered bread crumb topping.
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Instant Pot Mac and Cheese

Diana Rattray

If you have a cheesy craving and want it fast, this Instant Pot mac and cheese is the way to go. Just cook the macaroni in the pot (3 to 4 minutes!) and then add the milk and cheese. That's all there is to it!
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Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese

The Spruce

This classic baked macaroni and cheese is a fabulous dish to serve as a side dish or main dish. This mac and cheese is topped with buttery bread crumbs and is an excellent choice for any meal or occasion.
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Macaroni and Cheese Casserole

The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

This macaroni and cheese casserole is a simple, homey recipe that lends itself to many possible variations. Ingredients include cheddar cheese, butter, eggs, and milk, and there's no sauce to make.

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Easy Gnocchi Mac and Cheese

The Spruce / Pete Scherer

The potato dumplings in this gnocchi mac and cheese recipe are homemade, but the cheese sauce comes from a store-bought package of mac and cheese (save the macaroni for another occasion). The result is a hearty and creamy dish that seems to have taken all day (it doesn't) dressed with a convenience sauce.
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Avocado Mac and Cheese

The Spruce / Jennifer Perillo

Next time you turn to this comfort-food classic, consider replacing most of the cheese with avocado as in this avocado mac and cheese recipe. It uses a combination of moderate amounts of white cheddar cheese and cream cheese for just the right umami you're looking for.
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Truffled Mac and Cheese

Roberto Westbrook / Getty Images

Looking to take your mac and cheese to the next level? Try this delicious truffled mac and cheese. It can take a mundane dish and make it elegant and rich.
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Macaroni and Cheese Croquettes

Diana Rattray

Have some extra macaroni and cheese leftover? Usually, no, but these macaroni and cheese croquettes will inspire you to make an extra batch just so you can enjoy these the day after. Don't just take our word for it! Give it a shot!

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Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese

The Spruce Eats / Diana Rattray

Give your mac and cheese a taste of Buffalo chicken wings with this fun recipe. Shredded chicken is cooked with a spicy sauce, while the cheese sauce includes a little hot sauce of its own, along with pepper jack. It's a memorable dish and an entertaining way to spice up family dinnertime.
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Jalapeño Macaroni and Cheese

The Spruce

If you're looking to spice things up, try this jalapeño macaroni and cheese, try adding jalapeño peppers. They provide a little bite and will transform your baked macaroni and cheese. We are sure it will quickly become a family favorite.
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Easy One-Pan Broccoli Macaroni and Cheese

Diana Rattray

This easy one-pan broccoli macaroni and cheese is quick and easy, and the kids just might eat their broccoli!
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Sloppy Joe Macaroni and Cheese Casserole Recipe

The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

This is another great kid-friendly combination. This basic sloppy Joe macaroni and cheese recipe is topped with buttered bread crumbs.

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Baked Macaroni and Smoked Cheddar Cheese

Diana Rattray

Looking for a slight variation on the traditional mac and cheese recipe? This baked macaroni and smoked cheddar cheese is definitely something special.
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French Macaroni and Cheese

Armstrong Studios / Getty Images

This French macaroni and cheese is made with French cheeses. Crème fraîche, Gruyere cheese, and Cantal cheese are among the ingredients. If you can't find Cantal cheese, use a good quality white cheddar cheese or a farmhouse cheddar.
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Sandy's 3-Cheese Macaroni and Cheese

The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

There's no need for a sauce in Sandy's 3-cheese macaroni and cheese. Eggs, evaporated milk, butter and three kinds of cheese are among the ingredients that make this rich mixture a stunner.
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Kid-Pleasing Macaroni and Cheese With Monterey Jack and Cheddar Cheese

Maryellen Baker/Getty Images

This mac and cheese recipe makes about 8 servings of kid-pleasing macaroni and cheese with Monterey Jack or cheddar cheese.

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Family Favorite Macaroni and Cheese

Diana Rattray

The sauce for this creamy family-favorite macaroni and cheese is made with cheddar and American cheese. Feel free to use all cheddar or add some Gruyere to the sauce.
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Baked Macaroni and Cheese With Gruyere Cheese and Panko Topping

Burwell and Burwell Photography/E+/Getty Images

The baked macaroni and cheese with gruyere cheese and panko crumb topping is a rich and satisfying main dish.
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Slow Cooker Macaroni and Cheese With Variations

Diana Rattray

This slow cooker macaroni and cheese with variations is a snap to fix and cook in the slow cooker. Add ham or bacon if you'd like. It can be finished in the oven with a bread crumb topping.
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Tex-Mex Macaroni and Cheese

Photo: Diana Rattray

Ground beef and tomatoes make this casserole a cross between macaroni and cheese and chili mac. Corn and bell pepper add color and flavor to this delicious Tex-Mex macaroni and cheese.

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Extra Special Three-Cheese Macaroni and Cheese

Diana Rattray

Fresh herbs, goat cheese, sharp cheddar, and Parmesan cheese make this extra special three-cheese macaroni and cheese extraordinary.
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Bacon and Jalapeño Macaroni and Cheese

Getty Images

This crowd-pleasing bacon and jalapeño macaroni and cheese has it all! It's made with plenty of shredded cheese, bacon, and jalapeño pepper rings. The casserole is topped with bread crumbs and baked to perfection.
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Gluten-Free Macaroni and Cheese

StockFood Creative/Getty Images

This flavorful, gluten-free macaroni and cheese is made with gluten-free macaroni, Cheddar, Parmesan, fontina and Gruyere cheeses. You won't miss the wheat pasta!
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Creamy Macaroni and Cheese

Diana Rattray

A small amount of Dijon mustard is added to the cheese sauce for this delicious creamy macaroni and cheese. Use light cream or half-and-half for a richer sauce. The casserole is topped with buttery croissant crumbs.

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Simple Macaroni and Cheese

The Spruce

No time to make a sauce? No worries! This fuss-free simple macaroni and cheese, made with layers of cooked macaroni, shredded cheese, butter, and cream, is a great last-minute dish when you're in a rush.
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Macaroni and Cottage Cheese Casserole

Steve Cohen/Photodisc/Getty Images

Cottage cheese and sour cream turn this otherwise ordinary macaroni and cottage cheese casserole into a spectacular, creamy casserole.
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Chicken Pasta Casserole With Cheddar Cheese and Bacon

Diana Rattray

Use pasta shells, mini penne or elbow macaroni in this delicious chicken pasta casserole with cheddar cheese and bacon.
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Macaroni and Cheese With Sausage

Diana Rattray

Tomatoes, browned Italian sausage, and bell pepper make this a hearty one-pot meal. The macaroni and cheese casserole with sausage is baked with a bread crumb topping.

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3-Cheese Crockpot Mac and Cheese

Maren Caruso/Digital Vision/Getty Images

A jar of Alfredo sauce is combined with three kinds of cheese and seasonings to make this easy 3-cheese crockpot mac and cheese. The finished dish is topped with toasted bread crumbs.
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Four-Cheese Mac and Cheese Muffins

Mia Mueller-Schoell / Katie Workman / themom100.com

This is another excellent kid-friendly and family-friendly recipe. These four-cheese mac and cheese muffins are made with Cheddar, Monterey Jack, mozzarella and provolone cheeses.