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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38 Of The Best Macaroni And Cheese Recipes On Planet Earth (7)

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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38 Of The Best Macaroni And Cheese Recipes On Planet Earth (8)

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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38 Of The Best Macaroni And Cheese Recipes On Planet Earth (12)

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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38 Of The Best Macaroni And Cheese Recipes On Planet Earth (17)

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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Adventures in Cooking

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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38 Of The Best Macaroni And Cheese Recipes On Planet Earth (27)

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)

33 Kitchen Tools And Gadgets That People Actually Swear By

38 Of The Best Macaroni And Cheese Recipes On Planet Earth (2024)

FAQs

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

Did Thomas Jefferson eat mac and cheese? ›

During the Revolutionary War, Thomas Jefferson went to France. He also took his enslaved cook, James Hemings, who studied cooking there. Hemings brought macaroni and cheese to America, and Jefferson frequently asked for it to be served.

Why was mac and cheese popular during the Great Depression? ›

During the end of the Great Depression, macaroni and cheese became a popular food item due to its low cost. It was billed as “the housewife's best friend, a nourishing one pot meal” and sold 8 million boxes when it was released by Kraft Foods in 1937. The popularity of the food then exploded once again in World War II.

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.

Did Elvis eat mac and cheese? ›

Priscilla Presley told Graceland archivist Angie Marchese that Elvis was a big fan of Southern food, including meatloaf, mashed potato, fried chicken and mac and cheese. Marchese stated that Elvis would “obsessively eat one kind of food over and over until he became bored of it.”

Did McDonald's ever serve mac and cheese? ›

McDonald's is selling $3 mac and cheese Happy Meals served with fries, fruit and milk that has five grams of protein, five grams of whole grain and less than 200 calories, according to the company. Mac and cheese has also been available separately for $1.75 since November.

Who is the father of mac and cheese? ›

James Hemings was the first American trained as a master chef. He was also the brother-in-law and enslaved property of Thomas Jefferson. It is confirmed by historians that James Hemings (1765-1801) an American mixed-race slave owned and freed by Thomas Jefferson is the creator of American macaroni and cheese.

Why is mac and cheese banned in some countries? ›

Obviously, mac-and-cheese isn't poisonous on its own, but the yellow food colorings #5 and #6 have been shown to cause hypersensitivity in children, which is why the countries of Finland, Norway, and Australia have banned manufactures from using artificial food coloring.

What do they call mac and cheese in Canada? ›

In Canadian culture

The meal is the most popular grocery item in the country, where "Kraft Dinner" has an iconic status and has become a generic trademark of sorts for macaroni and cheese. It is often simply referred to by the initials K.D.

Do British people eat mac and cheese? ›

Digging deeper, people from Scotland were the most likely to choose a pasta dish which isn't actually Italian: twice as many Scots said mac & cheese was their favourite pasta dish (22%) than those from England (11%).

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

What can I add to macaroni and cheese to make it taste 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

What meat goes well with mac and cheese? ›

Popular choices are bacon, ground beef, shredded chicken, cooked sausage or pulled pork, which add a savory depth to the dish. Is mac and cheese for dinner? Absolutely! Mac and cheese can be a satisfying main dish, especially when paired with sides like a protein or a salad.

What are the ingredients in Gordon food Service mac and cheese? ›

COOKED ENRICHED MACARONI PRODUCT (WATER, SEMOLINA [MILLED WHEAT, NIACIN, FERROUS SULFATE, THIAMINE MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID]), WATER, CHEDDAR CLUB CHEESE (CHEDDAR CHEESE [CULTURED PASTEURIZED MILK, SALT, ENZYMES], WATER, SALT, ANNATTO [COLOR]), CHEDDAR CHEESE (PASTEURIZED MILK, CHEESE CULTURES, SALT, ENZYMES ...

How can I make my mac and cheese 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

What recipe is Gordon Ramsay famous for? ›

Top 10: Recipes that made Gordon Ramsay Famous
  • Beef Wellington. gordon ramsay's beef wellington recipe. ...
  • Coq au Vin. gordon ramsay's Coq au Vin recipe. ...
  • Beef Stroganoff. gordon ramsay's Beef Stroganoff recipe. ...
  • Chicken Piccata. ...
  • Rack of Lamb. ...
  • Baked Salmon with Lemon and Dill. ...
  • Shrimp Scampi. ...
  • Beef and Guinness Stew.

What is the favorite food of Gordon Ramsay? ›

Ramsay previously said if he could choose his last meal on Earth, it would be beef Wellington. Ramsay is a huge fan of the British dish, and many regard his own recipe as his greatest of all.

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