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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38 Of The Best Macaroni And Cheese Recipes On Planet Earth (4)

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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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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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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Before You Go

38 Of The Best Macaroni And Cheese Recipes On Planet Earth (40)

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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? ›

Gordon Ramsay's mac and cheese is a simplified recipe. Just boil pasta in milk and then, add butter, cheese, salt, and pepper to it. Merge all the elements and Gordon Ramsay's mac and cheese will be ready in no time.

How does Paula Deen make mac and cheese? ›

directions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Lightly butter an 8x12" baking dish.
  3. In a pot of boiling salted water, cook the macaroni until al dente. ...
  4. Add two cups of the cheese and toss until melted.
  5. In another bowl, whisk the eggs with the sour cream.
  6. Add the milk, butter, and 1/2 teaspoons salt.

Whose mac and cheese is the best? ›

Cracker Barrel Sharp Cheddar Macaroni and Cheese was a standout in our test. Peeking at the package post-sampling, this brand sets itself apart from the others with its box.

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.

What cheeses are not to use for mac and cheese? ›

Feta, queso fresco and paneer

As delicious as feta is in a salad or sprinkled over soup, this dry and crumbly cheese just isn't ideal for mac and cheese. Feta has a high moisture level and doesn't melt properly, so it would clump rather than give you a smooth sauce.

What is the most flavorful cheese for mac and cheese? ›

The Best Types of Cheese
  • Sharp Cheddar. The king of all cheeses when it comes to coating your noodles. ...
  • Gouda. Gouda is a seriously underrated cheese when it comes to cooking! ...
  • Gruyère. Despite it being a hard cheese, Gruyère still melts nicely. ...
  • Cream Cheese. ...
  • Brie. ...
  • Goat Cheese. ...
  • Parmesan. ...
  • Anything pre-shredded.
Mar 14, 2023

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? ›

Here are five tips to elevate your next dinner to include extra flavor and texture.
  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.
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.

Which president made mac and cheese popular? ›

Bottom line, Jefferson loved his macaroni and when he became president, he pushed a pro-macaroni agenda on official Washington. This did not always go over well. One guest wrote of a presidential dinner: “Dinner not as elegant as when we dined before.

Which president invented macaroni and cheese? ›

James Hemings: The Enslaved Chef of Thomas Jefferson Who Created Mac and Cheese.

What cheese has the most flavor for mac and cheese? ›

Sharp: Use sharp cheddar cheese for a stronger taste. Remember this variety takes a bit more heat to melt. Mild: Mild cheddar has been aged for a short time, giving it subtle flavors and a smooth melting texture. Medium: Medium cheddar is the ideal compromise between sharp and mild varieties.

What are the best 5 cheeses for mac and cheese? ›

The Best Types of Cheese
  • Sharp Cheddar. The king of all cheeses when it comes to coating your noodles. ...
  • Gouda. Gouda is a seriously underrated cheese when it comes to cooking! ...
  • Gruyère. Despite it being a hard cheese, Gruyère still melts nicely. ...
  • Cream Cheese. ...
  • Brie. ...
  • Goat Cheese. ...
  • Parmesan. ...
  • Anything pre-shredded.
Mar 14, 2023

Is Monterey Jack or mozzarella better for mac and cheese? ›

Monterey Jack is perhaps the ultimate melting cheese. Fontina is a crowd-pleasing melter that was born to pair with pasta. Baby swiss has a natural creaminess that is perfect for mac & cheese. Mozzarella is the classic melter pairs well with any pasta.

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