80 Macaroni and Cheese Recipes That Are Absolute Perfection

We’re firm believers that there’s no wrong way to make macaroni and cheese. Sometimes we like to start with a roux and make a creamy béchamel sauce that we can load up with a blend of melty cheeses. Other times, we opt for a low-maintenance mac that comes together in a matter of minutes. As long as you choose the right cheeses for your style of macaroni and cheese, you’ll find that it cooks up creamy and comforting every time. It's no wonder it's a family-favorite dinner in so many households. Looking for a place to start? This easy version sticks to classic Cheddar and cooks in just four minutes, using a multicooker. Best of all, once it’s gobbled up, you’ll only have one pot to clean!

This rich and decadent baked pasta is a Southern Black staple for holidays and special occasions. Steering away from the standard stovetop mac, this version includes three kinds of cheese and bakes up like a casserole with a crispy, golden top. The addition of eggs makes it similar to a cheesy, savory custard.

Our super creamy, quick and easy stovetop mac and cheese is better than the boxed stuff, but just as satisfying. The combo of mild American and sharp Cheddar with cream cheese creates a perfectly balanced sauce that will please even the pickiest of palates.

Ree Drummond’s chicken Florentine mac and cheese brings a hearty, family-style upgrade to the classic with tender chicken, spinach and a rich, cheesy sauce that hits all the comfort food notes.

This incredible and substantial side dish has that traditional buffalo-wing flavor, but without any meat. Serve with extra hot sauce on the side for your friends and family who love the heat.

This super decadent mac and cheese goes all in on creaminess, combining multiple cheeses and a velvety sauce for an ultra-indulgent take on the classic favorite.

Creamy, homemade mac and cheese for almost no work at all? Break out your rice cooker! This recipe will show you how to use it to make perfectly al dente elbows, covered in a rich cheese sauce.

A blend of three cheeses delivers a punch of flavor in this creamy mac and cheese. Toasted breadcrumbs give a crunchy texture contrast.

Combine your favorite Italian dish with a cheesy classic.

You don’t have to be a millionaire to make this mac and cheese, but after just one bite you might feel like one. Sharp aged Cheddar, creamy fontina and melty Gouda blend to make it irresistibly rich and gooey, and a topping of truffled brioche breadcrumbs make it a golden masterpiece.

One more reason to love your microwave: this recipe for oh-so-creamy macaroni and cheese. And, you only need one bowl!

Custardy baked macaroni and cheese is our favorite way to celebrate a special occasion. We came up with an easy, stir-together sauce of cream, evaporated milk and eggs, then loaded it up with sharp Cheddar. Topped with buttery breadcrumbs, the entire dish gets rich, bubbly and brown in the oven.

What could be better than deep-fried mac and cheese with ranch seasoning? It’s a carnival food-stand dream come true!

This low-fat, dairy-free version of an American classic certainly has the right look, with its creamy orange sauce, thanks to pureed cauliflower, vegan Cheddar and turmeric. We used umami-packed miso paste and nutritional yeast to evoke the savory, nutty quality of cheese.

Mix Cheddar, Pecorino-Romano and Parmesan for an extra-cheesy chicken mac and cheese.

Love the crunchy topping on oven-baked mac? Make your cheesy pasta extra crispy with this simple sheet pan recipe.

Elevate a classic with this fancy spin on mac and cheese. Shrimp and garlic are right at home with pasta in a smooth, creamy sauce.

Whip up this fast mac and cheese recipe when you’re in a hurry and need to fill your belly. It only takes 10 minutes to cook!

Reach for this recipe when you want to enjoy a southern treat baked to golden brown perfection.

A healthy alternative to your favorite side: this delicious macaroni and cheese features a lighter sauce, whole-wheat pasta and a ton of protein.

No need for a flour-and-butter roux in this easy stovetop version of an old favorite: The cream cheese adds body and richness. If your mac and cheese gets a little stiff as it cools, just stir in some warm water to smooth it out — it works like a charm.

This mac and cheese is one of our favorite ways to eat more veggies. It’s made with elbow macaroni and Cheddar cheese like the classic recipe — but has plenty of cauliflower and spinach added in too.

Don’t be fooled by this perfectly sliceable macaroni and cheese — it’s every bit as creamy and delicious as the kind you scoop into a bowl. Better yet, it’s loaded up with 4 different cheeses: Cheddar, muenster, provolone and mozzarella.

Havarti, yellow cheddar and white American cheeses are the picks for this creamy dish that gets a kick from hot sauce and cayenne pepper.

Fold the classic combo of sausage, peppers and onions into a savory bowl of warm, cheesy macaroni and dinner is served!

Everything is better with bacon…and this recipe proves it. Add bacon bits and broccoli florets to your creamy, cheesy mac and we're sure you'll agree!

One pound of white button mushrooms gives this stovetop mac and cheese from Katie Lee an earthy and delicious bite. When plating, serve with a slice of taleggio for an additional rich and creamy note.

"The mac and cheese is for the kids." Who are we kidding when we make that statement? Giada De Laurentiis knows that we adults like mac and cheese too. The bits of ham and melted mozzarella elevate this classic pasta dish.

Spice up mac and cheese night with the addition of jalapenos! The creamy pasta works well with the heat of the peppers — creating a flavorful, but not too spicy, dish.

This pleasantly spicy mac and cheese delivers on its name: The cheesy jalapeno pasta with its crunchy panko breadcrumb topping tastes just like poppers!

Pimentos are sweet and aromatic — perfect when paired with sharp yellow cheddar. For a bit of heat, Rachael adds paprika and dry mustard to the bechamel sauce.

This decadent spin on mac and cheese from Lorraine Pascale incorporates pancetta, gorgonzola and parmesan to achieve the ultimate level of cheesy goodness. If you’re not a fan of blue cheese, a smooth cheddar also works!

The best parts of the traditional Italian dish spaghetti carbonara are found in this baked mac and cheese: richness from the bacon, creaminess from grated cheese and spice from the black pepper.

You can't go wrong with Tyler Florence's macaroni and cheese. He uses cheddar and Parmesan to play up the classic flavors. Bake in the oven for 25 to 30 minutes for a perfect golden crust.

Whether you make this for brunch or a late-night snack, this bubbly dish is sure to be a real crowd-pleasurer. Simply spread warm mac and cheese in an ovenproof skillet, add in some eggs and dig right in!

Rachael's baked mac and cheese utilizes a roux, or a gently cooked butter and flour mixture, as a shortcut to make this comforting dish in only 30 minutes.

Nancy Fuller combines shell pasta with a melty mixture of cheddar, Colby jack and cream cheese to infuse this stovetop mac and cheese with creamy goodness. For some surprise heat, add a heaping teaspoon of Dijon mustard, a dash of hot sauce and a 1/8 teaspoon of paprika.

Melted cheese, tender pasta and creamy sauce never tasted so good — this version is topped with crushed potatoes chips. Yum!

Not only is this recipe super yummy, but it’s also a great way to get kids to eat their vegetables thanks to the cauliflower hidden inside. Follow Valerie's lead and top your baked mac and cheese with crushed sour-cream-and-cheddar potato chips for a crispy crunch with every forkful.

A hearty bowl of chili and a creamy, cheddar macaroni will fulfill all your comfort food cravings.

This savory kugel gets its great crunch factor from a topping of crushed cornflakes.

Rachael's meaty macaroni is a great make-ahead meal. The unbaked casserole can be covered and refrigerated and baked right before you're ready to serve.

Rachael Ray uses anchovy paste to replicate the robust flavor of Caesar dressing in this mac and cheese. Serve it with shredded escarole or romaine dressed with lemon juice and extra virgin olive oil for a balanced dinner.

The Neelys use tomato paste, heavy cream and sweet chunks of lobster tail for an extra-thick, extra-decadent macaroni and cheese that's worthy of a special occasion.

Tired of macaroni or penne? Rachael recommends cavatappi (corkscrew-shaped pasta) for this spicy, smoky twist on traditional mac and cheese.

Kids won't object to eating their veggies when you serve up this cheesy dish. Cauliflower lends great texture, but the creamy smoked Gouda still takes center stage.

Rachael uses sour cream in place of milk for a tangy flavor that pairs well with broccoli and cauliflower.

This baked mac and cheese — perfect for a large crowd or as a side dish — is super simple to make. The cream cheese gives it richness and a little tang.

The best part of this breakfast-inspired mac and cheese is the hash-brown topping. It couldn't be easier: Just thaw frozen hash browns and toss them with butter so they bake up golden and crispy.

Don't be alarmed by how much kale you start with for this recipe. It will cook down quite a bit and pairs deliciously with the creamy pasta and shiitake mushrooms.

You could call this mac and cheese a mash-up: It tastes just like pizza! We love using the oil from sun-dried tomatoes to make the topping. It's also great drizzled on toasted bread or pasta.