Macaroni and cheese is the ultimate childhood comfort food but there’s much more that can be done with this comforting dish that go beyond your standard pasta and cheese.
Try one of these 52 Ways To Make Homemade Mac & Cheese More Delicious that will transform your idea of comfort food.
You’ll never want to buy the boxed version again. Guaranteed!
1. Hot Dog Mac & Cheese
Perfect summer-time mac & cheese!
Recipe – Hot Dog Mac & Cheese via IdeaHacks
2. Baked Orecchiette With Cauliflower Bacon & Taleggio
So many surprises in this comforting dish.
Recipe – Baked Orecchiette With Cauliflower Bacon & Taleggio via From A Chef’s Kitchen
3. Breakfast Mac & Cheese
We love dinner for breakfast!
Recipe – Breakfast Mac & Cheese via The Spiffy Cookie
4. Miniature Mac & Cheese Cups
This fun version is baked as individual muffins cups.
Recipe – Miniature Mac & Cheese Cups via IdeaHacks
5. Macaroni & Cheese Soufflé
This mac & cheese knocked our socks off!
Recipe – Macaroni & Cheese Soufflé via Tara’s Multicultural Table
6. Skinny Chicken Broccoli Macaroni & Cheese
Skinny mac & cheese? We’re in!
Recipe – Skinny Chicken Broccoli Macaroni & Cheese via Tasty Thin
7. Jalapeño Popper Mac & Cheese
This spicy mac & cheese has us popping!
Recipe – Jalapeño Popper Mac & Cheese via Fresh April Flours
8. Macaroni & Cheese Shells With Kale & Tomatoes
Kale yeah to the vegan cashew cream sauce coating these shells!
Recipe – Macaroni & Cheese Shells With Kale & Tomatoes via Kale Me Maybe
9. Hummus Mac & Cheese With Zaatar Cauliflower Crust
“Macked up” indeed!
Recipe – Hummus Mac & Cheese With Zaatar Cauliflower Crust via Funny Love Blog
10. Gourmet Pork Belly Mac & Cheese
We’re swooning over this!
Recipe – Gourmet Pork Belly Mac & Cheese via The Stay At Home Chef
11. Gluten Free Mac & Cheese
Who says Gluten Free can’t be delicious?
Recipe – Gluten Free Mac & Cheese via Cookies For England
12. Broccoli & White Cheddar Quinoa Mac & Cheese
The cracker crust topping is divine.
Recipe – Broccoli & White Cheddar Quinoa Mac & Cheese via Ambitious Kitchen
13. Horseradish Mac & Cheese
Comfort food with a serious kick.
Recipe – Horseradish Mac & Cheese via Killing Thyme
14. Mexican Mac & Cheese
We’re saying yes to this south of the border mac!
Recipe – Mexican Mac & Cheese via Jess Explains It All
15. 4 Ingredient Stovetop Macaroni & Cheese
4 ingredients means no excuses.
Recipe – 4 Ingredient Stovetop Macaroni & Cheese via The Modern Proper
16. Kentucky Hot Brown Mac & Cheese
Too good to pass up!
Recipe – Kentucky Hot Brown Mac & Cheese via Foodtastic Mom
17. Hawaiian Potato Mac Salad
This macaroni has Aloha spirit!
Recipe – Hawaiian Potato Mac Salad via Culinary Envy
18. Vegan Grilled Mac & Cheese Sandwich
Now this is what we call comfort food!
Recipe – Vegan Grilled Mac & Cheese Sandwich via Apollo & Luna
19. Healthy St. Patrick’s Day Mac & Cheese
Kale and broccoli give this mac & cheese a very mean green color.
Recipe – Healthy St. Patrick’s Day Mac & Cheese via Courtney’s Sweets
20. Lobster Mac & Cheese
Lobster is swimming in this 4-cheese macaroni.
Recipe – Lobster Mac & Cheese via Striped Spatula
21. Cheesy Pasta Casserole With Wild Mushrooms
This rosemary infused casserole is makes some high-class macaroni and cheese!
Recipe – Cheesy Pasta Casserole With Wild Mushrooms via The Brookcook
22. Super Easy Slow Cooker Macaroni & Cheese
Why not let the crockpot do the work?
Recipe – Super Easy Slow Cooker Macaroni & Cheese via The Cookie Rookie
23. Tuna Macaroni Casserole
Traditional macaroni and cheese with a tuna protein punch.
Recipe – Tuna Macaroni Casserole via Julie’s Eats & Treats
24. Southern Baked Macaroni & Cheese
This southern baked mac & cheese will knock your socks off!
Recipe – Southern Baked Macaroni & Cheese via Grandbaby Cakes
25. No-Boil Mac & Cheese
Guilt-free mac & cheese with sneaky cauliflower and broccoli.
Recipe – No-Boil Mac & Cheese via Peaks & Harbours
26. Gluten Free Macaroni & Beef
This pasta is full of taste with its tomato sauce & beef.
Recipe – Gluten Free Macaroni & Beef via Dish By Dish
27. Greek Macaroni & Cheese
So much flavor with so few ingredients!
Recipe – Greek Macaroni & Cheese via Scrummy Lane
28. Three-Cheese Brown Butter Truffle Mac & Cheese
Truffle oil takes every dish up a notch.
Recipe – Three-Cheese Brown Butter Truffle Mac & Cheese via Bijoux & Bits
29. Dump & Bake Macaroni & Cheese
No need to boil, just dump and bake!
Recipe – Dump & Bake Macaroni & Cheese via The Seasoned Mom
30. Macaroni & Cheese Pancakes
Comfort foods collide in this pancakes + macaroni & cheese with butternut squash too!
Recipe – Macaroni & Cheese Pancakes via The Breakfast Drama Queen
31. Mini Pimento Mac & Cheese Bites
Cheesy bite size mac bites make a yummy appetizer.
Recipe – Mini Pimento Mac & Cheese Bites via Vegetarian Ventures
32. Best Ever Macaroni & Cheese
Oozing with creaminess!
Recipe – Best Ever Macaroni & Cheese via Loaves & Dishes
33. Cauliflower Mac & Cheese
Swap the pasta for some low carb cauliflower deliciousness!
Recipe – Cauliflower Mac & Cheese via Kirbie’s Cravings
34. Kielbasa and Beer Mac and Cheese
This beer mac & cheese with kielbasa and sauerkraut will bring you to your knees.
Recipe – Kielbasa and Beer Mac and Cheese via Chocolate Moosey
35. 5 Cheese Mac & Cheese
Crispy Panko & bacon are perfect on top!
Recipe – 5 Cheese Mac & Cheese via Garnish & Glaze
36. Overnight Creamy Chicken Mac & Cheese Casserole
You can go wrong with a make ahead dinners as comforting as this!
Recipe – Overnight Creamy Chicken Mac & Cheese Casserole via Flavor The Moments
37. Smoky Delicata Baked Macaroni & Cheese
A superior mac & cheese with delicata squash & tons of spice!
Recipe – Smoky Delicata Baked Macaroni & Cheese via The Kitchen Paper
38. Fried Mac & Cheese Balls
Guaranteed to be gone in seconds!
Recipe – Fried Mac & Cheese Balls via Real Food By Dad
39. Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese
Thick butternut and cheese coat this luscious pasta.
Recipe – Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese via Tara’s Multicultural Table
40. Creamy Mac & Cheese With Sriracha
Accessorizing with spicy sriracha is always a good idea!
Recipe – Creamy Mac & Cheese With Sriracha via Simple Sweet & Savory
41. Mac & Cheese Soup
Now that’s what we call pure comfort!
Recipe – Mac & Cheese Soup via Loaves & Dishes
42. Pumpkin Macaroni & Cheese
Is there anything pumpkin can’t do?
Recipe – Pumpkin Macaroni & Cheese via The David Blahg
43. Parsnip n’ Pears Mac & Cheese
We’re blown away by this!
Recipe – Parsnip n’ Pears Mac & Cheese via Don’t Push Meow
44. Cheeseburger Macaroni and Cheese
All your childhood favorites in one hearty dish.
Recipe – Cheeseburger Macaroni and Cheese via The Cozy Apron
45. Vegetarian Chili Mac & Cheese
The ultimate bowl of nourishment!
Recipe – Vegetarian Chili Mac & Cheese via Celebrating Sweets
46. Curry Mac & Cheese
Just when you thought mac & cheese couldn’t get any better!
Recipe – Curry Mac & Cheese via Strength & Sunshine
47. Enchilada Mac & Cheese
Getting wild with enchilada sauce here.
Recipe – Enchilada Mac & Cheese via Life As A Strawberry
48. Stovetop White Cheese Macaroni and Cheese with Broccoli
Kids will love this, it’s bursting with creaminess!
Recipe – Stovetop White Cheese Macaroni and Cheese with Broccoli via An Edible Mosaic
49. Blue Cheese, Bacon, and Brussels Sprouts Macaroni & Cheese
A grown up version of mac & cheese.
Recipe – Blue Cheese, Bacon, and Brussels Sprouts Macaroni & Cheese via Bright Eyed Baker
50. Apple & Chorizo Mac & Cheese
Perfect blend of salty, sweet, spicy and sour!
Recipe – Apple & Chorizo Mac & Cheese via My Dish Is Bomb
51. Pizza Macaroni and Cheese
Pasta free pizza flavored mac & cheese made with potatoes. Oh yum!
Recipe – Pizza Macaroni and Cheese via The Cookie Writer
52. One Skillet Macaroni Cheese & Italian Sausage & Bell Peppers
A rich and comforting meal you’ll want to eat everyday.
Recipe – One Skillet Macaroni Cheese & Italian Sausage & Bell Peppers via The Mediterranean Dish
Oh boy! Was that a lot of mac and cheese or what? You should never run out of ideas when it comes to making the perfect mac and cheese recipe for you and your family.
Make sure to let us know below in the comment section, which recipe was your favorite.