How to Make Cheesy Homemade Macaroni and Cheese

A bowl of macaroni and cheese on a plaid placemat

Credit: My Hot Southern Mess

Rich, creamy, and buttery, macaroni and cheese is hard to beat when it comes to comfort food. That's why we've rounded up our 15 best mac and cheese recipes, all of which have 4 stars or more from our trusted reviewers. Whether you like it made on the stovetop, baked in the oven, drizzled with buffalo sauce, or even mixed with pickles, we've got you covered with these unique and delicious top-rated macaroni and cheese dishes.

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'Got Some Crust' Macaroni and Cheese

close up of Macaroni and Cheese

Credit: LYNNINMA

A mix of Cheddar, Parmesan, and breadcrumbs give this macaroni its signature crunchy crust. Yellow mustard and Worcestershire sauce also add a zing to the creamy sauce.

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Dill Pickle Macaroni and Cheese

Dill Pickle Macaroni and Cheese in a ceramic bowl

Credit: lutzflcat

You may doubt this odd flavor combination, but you'll be convinced it's a winner with just one bite. Creamy baked macaroni is contrasted with tangy and crunchy pickle relish to create an extra unique dish.

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Restaurant Style Mac and Cheese

Restaurant Style Mac and Cheese on a white plate

Credit: Christina

You only need five ingredients to make this extra decadent mac and cheese recipe. Shredded Cheddar, processed cheese, and heavy cream make a thick sauce that will cling to every bite.

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Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese

A bowl of macaroni and cheese on a plaid placemat

Credit: My Hot Southern Mess

This macaroni is packed with flavor thanks to three types of cheese — cheddar, Monterey jack, and gorgonzola — along with shredded chicken and a hefty drizzling of hot sauce. Serve with a side of celery sticks to complete the meal.

50 Foods to Buffalo

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Old School Mac n' Cheese

Credit: RainbowJewels

"This is a completely unpretentious, down-home macaroni and cheese recipe just like my grandma and mom always made," says recipe creator Collette Duck. Macaroni is coated in a rich cheese sauce before getting baked to golden perfection with a crushed potato chip topping.

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Chipotle Mac and Cheese

Chipotle Mac and Cheese in a glass casserole dish

Credit: Rieley James Ped

You may never go back to basic macaroni and cheese again after taking a bite of this smoky and spicy variety. The key ingredient is chipotle chiles in adobo sauce, which can be found in the Hispanic section of most grocery stores.

30 Ways to Cook with Canned Chipotles in Adobo Sauce

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Instant Pot® Mac and Cheese with Ham and Peas

mac and cheese with ham in blue earthenware cup

Credit: lutzflcat

Mac and cheese becomes a wholesome meal with the kid-friendly additions of ham and green peas. Using the Instant Pot turns this into a one-dish dinner, perfect for quickly feeding the whole family.

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Macaroni and Cheese with Caramelized Onions and Bacon

close up of Macaroni and Cheese with Caramelized Onions and Bacon

Credit: Maags

For when you're craving an indulgent meal, this recipe checks off all the boxes. Savory bacon, comforting pasta, gooey cheese, and sweet caramelized onions all bake together to create one decadent dish.

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Cauliflower Mac-N-Cheese

Cauliflower Mac-N-Cheese in a white bowl

Credit: Howard

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Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese

This may be the ultimate "fix it and forget it" dish. The slow cooker does all the work here, and with a little patience you'll be enjoying a homey bowl of mac and cheese. Many reviewers recommend if you like al dente pasta to not cook the macaroni before stirring it into the slow cooker.

Slow Cooker Comfort Food Meals That Go From Prep to Pot in Minutes

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Kicked Up Mac and Cheese

Credit: Jackson Christie

The recipe title is no exaggeration; this creamy macaroni is kicked up with chili powder, pepper jack cheese, hot sauce, and a dash of dry mustard. If you're serving heat sensitive guests, keep the hot sauce out of the recipe and have a bottle on the side while serving.

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Baked Mac and Cheese for One

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This recipe is perfect for when the craving strikes for macaroni and cheese but you don't want to whip up an entire batch. You'll never go back to those microwave cups of mac again.

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Lobster Mac and Cheese

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An entire lobster goes into this upscale twist on macaroni and cheese. The sauce gets a triple hit of flavor from onions, shallots, and garlic, all of which add a deep savory flavor.

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Shannon's Smoky Macaroni and Cheese

Close up of Smoky Macaroni and Cheese

Credit: Phat Ceph

This recipe proves that gourmet cheeses have a place in mac and cheese. Recipe creator S. Michael says, "The smoked gouda gives this dish its smoky rich flavor. It's a gourmet grown-up version of the kiddie classic."

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Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese

Credit: Kevin

Butternut squash doesn't just add a nice hint of sweetness to the macaroni and cheese, it also creates a bold orange color. Whip up a batch of this for your next fall potluck, and it's sure to be a winner.

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How to Make Cheesy Homemade Macaroni and Cheese

Source: https://www.allrecipes.com/gallery/best-mac-and-cheese-recipes/

Dugdale Ferseelle