Here's How to Eat Mac and Cheese for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Brian Kennedy, 2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
Cooked on the stovetop and devoured as is, or doctored up with all kinds of additions and oftentimes baked to bubbling, crispy-on-top perfection, mac and cheese is a comfort food mainstay that both adults and kids can agree on with glee. It’s so beloved, in fact, that just about no one would argue about having it for breakfast, lunch and dinner. With recipes inspired by the morning meal, a salad favorite and more, you probably could do just that, without ever tiring of it.
Breakfast Macaroni and Cheese with Sausage and Hash Browns
If you’re asking us, this breakfast-inspired mac and cheese gives you all the excuse in the world to take it with a cup of coffee. It’s super-easy to make, with store-bought hash browns serving as a crispy, satisfying topping and morsels of savory breakfast sausage being scattered throughout the whole dish.

Brian Kennedy, 2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.
Think of Rachael Ray’s loaded recipe as a cross between a Caesar salad and good ol’ mac and cheese. With this one, you get all the garlicky, zippy vibes of the crunchy favorite without eating a single leaf of lettuce.

Brian Kennedy, 2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
Creamy Jalapeno Popper Mac and Cheese
If you’re into the hollowed-out, cheese-stuffed peppers we’ve come to fry and call jalapeno poppers, then odds are you’ll take seconds — hey, maybe even thirds — of this spicy mac and cheese (pictured above). Combining cheesy jalapeno pasta with a panko breadcrumb topping makes for a flavor combo that tastes just like the beloved bar snack.

Brian Kennedy, (C) 2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
Creamy Pizza Macaroni and Cheese
To give mac and cheese the same saucy, Italian-style vibes as a cheesy pie, simply introduce zesty pepperoni, prepared marinara sauce and sun-dried tomatoes, plus crushed red pepper and oregano.

Antonis Achilleos
On its own, a big bowl of mac and cheese is comfort food straight-up, but transforming it into a stick-to-your-spoon soup is a melty dream. Food Network Magazine thins out classic, elbow-shaped macaroni cheese using a little bit of broth for a super-warming, decadent soup.
Get more mac and cheese recipes from our friends:
Feed Me Phoebe: White Cheddar Mac ‘n Cheese Casserole
Creative Culinary: Green Chile Mac and Cheese
The Wimpy Vegetarian: Bang Bang Cauliflower Mac ’n Cheese
The Mom 100: Creamy Four Cheese Penne Rigate
Taste with the Eyes: Mac and Cheese, Ham, Carrot, Celery, Onion {gluten-free}
In Jennie’s Kitchen: Cacio e Pepe
Napa Farmhouse 1885: One Skillet Mac & Cheese
Red or Green: Three Perfect Mac & Cheese Recipes For Winter