17 Fancy Mac and Cheese Recipes That Anyone Can Make - XO, Katie Rosario (2024)

17 Fancy Mac and Cheese Recipes That Anyone Can Make - XO, Katie Rosario (1)

Is it possible to love mac and cheese any more than we already do? The best part about mac and cheese is how soul satisfying it is and how you can make whatever flavor you want!

If your mac and cheese knowledge is limited to pre-portioned pasta and powdered cheese… don’t worry today’s recipes are here to help. These hearty and decadent recipes feature ingredients like mushrooms and truffles, Guinness and Irish cheddar and there’s even a caprese inspired mac and cheese.

It’s impossible to go wrong with warm carbs and cheese, but truly, the flavor variations are endless. The ultimate comfort food just got better, let’s take mac and cheese to the next-level!

Here’s 17 Irresistible Mac and Cheese Recipes That Will Feed Your Soul!

Let’s Get Cooking!

1. Crab Macaroni and Cheese

17 Fancy Mac and Cheese Recipes That Anyone Can Make - XO, Katie Rosario (2)

Found from Dine and Dish

First of all, adding crab to mac and cheese is simply genius and changes everything. The crab meat is tossed into a creole spice blend that goes perfectly with the cheesy goodness. Bake into a casserole dish or individual pots for smaller portions. This crab mac and cheese will be devoured quickly!

2. Jack Daniels Bacon Mac and Cheese

17 Fancy Mac and Cheese Recipes That Anyone Can Make - XO, Katie Rosario (3)

Found from The Slow Roasted Italian

Jack Daniel’s Mac and Cheese recipe is loaded with hickory smoked peppered bacon, tons of smoky cheese and a selection of spices to wake up all your senses. The Jack Daniel’s brings an element of smokiness and a sweet maple flavor that is balanced out with the heavier spices. This is what mac and cheese dreams are made of.

3. Caprese Mac and Cheese

17 Fancy Mac and Cheese Recipes That Anyone Can Make - XO, Katie Rosario (4)

Found from Simply Delicious Food

A caprese salad is traditionally fresh mozzarella, tomatoes and basil layered together. Now imagine that inside of a decadent mac and cheese. The creamy mozzarella with fresh basil and tomatoes tossed with pasta and more cheese is just heaven! I love to add some balsamic vinegar on top to cut through the richness and has a brightness that I can eat all day long.

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4. Jalapeno Popper Mac and Cheese

17 Fancy Mac and Cheese Recipes That Anyone Can Make - XO, Katie Rosario (5)

Found from Center Cut Cook

Everyone knows jalapeno poppers because it’s a classic appetizer. This recipe takes all those delicious flavors and puts them into a creamy mac and cheese. The spiciness of the jalapeno is everything you want out of a jalapeno popper mac and cheese.

5. Pumpkin Thyme Mac and Cheese

17 Fancy Mac and Cheese Recipes That Anyone Can Make - XO, Katie Rosario (6)

Found from Spoon Fork Bacon

This mac and cheese tastes like fall. The pumpkin and thyme goes perfectly together in this comforting bowl of goodness. If you don’t want to wait until fall you can make this recipe all year round with canned pumpkin puree, dried thyme and fresh lemon zest!

6. Loaded Mac and Cheese

17 Fancy Mac and Cheese Recipes That Anyone Can Make - XO, Katie Rosario (7)

Found from Lemon Tree Dwelling

Think of the ultimate loaded baked potato mixed with ooey gooey mac and cheese. Delicious baked mac and cheese, loaded with sour cream, bacon, and chives and topped with buttery bread crumbs. This is sure to become a family favorite!

7. Spinach and Artichoke Mac and Cheese

17 Fancy Mac and Cheese Recipes That Anyone Can Make - XO, Katie Rosario (8)

Found from Damn Delicious

This creamy, cheesy mac and cheese recipe can be made in 30 minutes. It light and healthy but still packs a punch of flavor with spinach and artichoke. The panko bread crumbs on top gives the perfect amount of crunch!

8. Million Dollar Macaroni and Cheese Casserole

17 Fancy Mac and Cheese Recipes That Anyone Can Make - XO, Katie Rosario (9)

Found from Carlsbad Cravings

You will quickly understand why this is called the Million Dollar Mac and Cheese. This mac and cheese is all about the rich sauce. The homemade sauce itself is rich and crazy creamy and the casserole is stuffed with a hidden layer of provolone cheese and sour cream that melts when baked for a ridiculous amount of velvety creamy, cheesy gooey goodness.

9. Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese

17 Fancy Mac and Cheese Recipes That Anyone Can Make - XO, Katie Rosario (10)

Found from Port and Fin

I love buffalo wings, I love melty cheesy carbs… the rest is history. Take all the flavors of buffalo chicken wings and bleu cheese dressing and mix it all into mac and cheese. You seriously can’t go wrong!

10. Fried Mac and Cheese Bites

17 Fancy Mac and Cheese Recipes That Anyone Can Make - XO, Katie Rosario (11)

Found from Little Southern Kitchen

These fried mac and cheese bites are little pillows of cheesy heaven with a kick of cajun seasoning. This certainly reinvents a classic mac and cheese recipe!

11. Mushroom White Truffle Mac and Cheese

17 Fancy Mac and Cheese Recipes That Anyone Can Make - XO, Katie Rosario (12)

Found from The Almond Eater

This Mushroom & White Truffle Mac and Cheese can be made in one skillet and in under 30 minutes. It combines luxurious truffle oil, mushrooms and parmesan cheese for a super tasty variation on traditional macaroni and cheese. It’s got a bold flavor that you can’t take your fork away from.

12. Guinness and Irish Cheddar Macaroni & Cheese

17 Fancy Mac and Cheese Recipes That Anyone Can Make - XO, Katie Rosario (13)

Found from Celebrating Sweets

This recipe is super flavorful, ultra creamy, and my new favorite mac and cheese. Guinness, Irish cheddar, and a touch of dijon mustard add a slight sharpness that cuts through the richness of this dish. It’s a grown up version of mac and cheese that is boldly flavored and worlds apart from that bland stuff that comes in a box.

13. Fancy Macaroni

17 Fancy Mac and Cheese Recipes That Anyone Can Make - XO, Katie Rosario (14)

Found from The Pioneer Woman

The fancy mac and cheese is made with caramelized onions and crispy bacon. The beauty of this baked macaroni is that the outside sizzles and crisps up while baking, while the stuff inside remains luscious and creamy.

14. One Pot Chili Mac and Cheese

17 Fancy Mac and Cheese Recipes That Anyone Can Make - XO, Katie Rosario (15)

Found from Belly Full

If there’s another thing that never gets old, it’s mac and cheese. And chili. So put them together to create one killer mash-up!

15. Pulled Pork Mac and Cheese

17 Fancy Mac and Cheese Recipes That Anyone Can Make - XO, Katie Rosario (16)

Found from Slow Cooker Gourmet

This pulled pork mac and cheese is like a juicy pulled pork sandwich. Its spicy and smoky with tangy BBQ sauce. This is a perfect weeknight meal!

16. Chicken, Bacon and Blue Cheese Mac & Cheese

17 Fancy Mac and Cheese Recipes That Anyone Can Make - XO, Katie Rosario (17)

Found from Yellow Bliss Road

This is the ultimate comfort food. Four creamy cheeses envelope tender macaroni, savory chicken and crisp bacon to create the best mac and cheese!

17. Mac and Cheese with Spinach and Peas

17 Fancy Mac and Cheese Recipes That Anyone Can Make - XO, Katie Rosario (18)

Found from Hip Foodie Mom

This mac and cheese is filled with spinach and peas. Its bright and fresh flavors! The fresh veggies make the mac and cheese velvety and delicious!

These recipes show you how to take everyone’s favorite comfort food to the next level. And I have a sneaky suspicion that you’re going to be obsessed with all of these recipes.

Happy Eating!

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FAQs

How do I upgrade my mac and cheese? ›

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

What can I add to Kraft mac and cheese to make it better? ›

Here are a few of my favorite ways to upgrade boxed mac and cheese in three ingredients or fewer:
  1. Broccoli + Shredded Chicken. ...
  2. Bacon + Peas + Egg. ...
  3. Garlic + Pickled Jalapeños. ...
  4. Mushrooms + Thyme + Grated Gruyère. ...
  5. Pesto + Sun-Dried Tomatoes. ...
  6. Kimchi + Bacon + Chopped Scallions. ...
  7. Cherry Tomatoes + Basil + Mozzarella.

What spices are good for mac and cheese? ›

Cayenne, Nutmeg, Black Pepper, and Dry Mustard

These spices will cut through the hearty flavor of the cheese and butter. 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.

How to make powdered mac and cheese better? ›

To improve the tang and overall cheesiness of your boxed mac, add 2 to 3 tablespoons of plain Greek yogurt to the cooked and drained pasta while it's still warm. Toss to combine, then stir in the cheese powder until it's uniformly blended.

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 not to do when making mac and cheese? ›

The 5 Biggest Mac & Cheese Mistakes
  1. Using Only Cheddar cheese.
  2. Not Adding Spice and Seasoning with Salt.
  3. Choosing the Wrong Pasta. There's a reason why elbow macaroni is the classic shape for macaroni and cheese. ...
  4. Overcooking. No one wants grainy cheese sauce and mushy pasta. ...
  5. Skimping on the Toppings.
May 21, 2020

How do you pimp out Kraft mac and cheese? ›

I usually sautee some bell peppers and onions, because that's how Dad used to make it for us when we were little. I also add frozen peas, cayenne pepper, yogurt for creaminess, extra REAL cheese, lots of black pepper, green onions, and sometimes tomatoes.

How to jazz up mac and cheese? ›

Prepare the boxed mac and cheese according to package directions, then mix things up by adding cooked ground beef, shredded pepper Jack cheese, and a packet of taco seasoning to your mac and cheese. If you love gumbo and crawfish, this Cajun twist on boxed mac and cheese is for you.

Can you use sour cream instead of milk for mac and cheese? ›

I think sour cream is a great substitute! However, it may change the flavor just slightly. For sour cream, mix it in just like I outlined in the cream cheese example, but with far less or no extra liquid. Sour cream is slightly sour (duh), so this may impact the final flavor a bit.

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.

Why use evaporated milk in mac and cheese? ›

Evaporated milk is a highly concentrated source of milk protein micelles—bundles of proteins that can act as powerful emulsifying agents—which help to keep the sauce creamy and smooth.

Why put nutmeg in mac and cheese? ›

Nutmeg: This is also optional but trust me, a dash of it goes a long way to balance the tangy cheese flavor and all the fats. Cayenne Powder: A little sprinkle makes all the difference. It does not make this spicy – it just balances the flavors.

Why does my homemade mac and cheese taste 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 does adding more milk to mac and cheese do? ›

The sauce was thicker, creamier, and shinier. It behaved like actual cheese, with tiny little cheese pulls between the elbow noodles. I may never add milk—or any other liquid dairy for that matter—ever again.

What makes mac and cheese taste so good? ›

1. It takes two cheeses to tango with mac. For really great macaroni and cheese, you need a cheese that melts well and a cheese that packs a punch. A few cheeses do both (that's a shout out to you, cheddar, emmentaler, and your other alpine-style, fondue favorites).

How do you make mac and cheese not boring? ›

Add more cheese

Even just a few ounces of good cheese will enhance your basic mac and cheese. And macaroni is a blank slate, so you can use just about any cheese you fancy.

Can you upgrade Mac after purchase? ›

Most Macs available today don't have a user-upgradeable memory. All Macs with Apple silicon have their memory unified onto the chip. So, if you're thinking about purchasing a new Mac, consider what you will use it for and better opt for the largest amount of RAM you can afford.

How do you doctor up frozen mac and cheese? ›

If you want a little extra texture and flavor, try removing the frozen meal from your oven early and topping the partially cooked mac and cheese with a mix of breadcrumbs, butter, and parmesan. Then bake for a few extra minutes for that crispy layer of crunch.

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