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.

You May Also Enjoy:

  • 10 Delicious Weeknight Slow Cooker Pasta Recipes

  • 10 Amazing Pizza Recipes for Busy Nights

  • 17 Low-Carb Versions Of Your Favorite Comfort Foods

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!

17 Fancy Mac and Cheese Recipes That Anyone Can Make - XO, Katie Rosario (19)

Pin it! Save it for later!

17 Fancy Mac and Cheese Recipes That Anyone Can Make - XO, Katie Rosario (20)

2

Related

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

FAQs

How to make Gordon Ramsay's 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

How to fancy up 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 meat goes well with mac and cheese? ›

Mac and cheese is versatile and can be eaten as a side dish with meats like chicken, brisket or bbq ribs, or as a main dish with a vegetable side dish like an acidic green salad or simple steamed vegetables.

What is the best cheese for fancy mac and cheese? ›

Gruyere is a classic addition because it melts much like Cheddar, but has a lovely nutty flavor. Other classics include Gouda, Muenster, Parmesan, fontina, Havarti and Monterey Jack. Brie works well too, just make sure you remove the rind before mixing it in.

What is the best flavor to add to mac and cheese? ›

Black Pepper: Always a must! 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.

What does adding more milk to mac and cheese do? ›

Milk helps amplify the cheese flavor and gives it a rich texture. The water keeps it light, and reduces some calories. I boil the macaroni in water , drain it, and combine it with a cheese sauce made with flour, milk and butter.

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.

What are the best 5 cheeses for mac and cheese? ›

The Best Types of Cheese
  • Sharp Cheddar. The king of all cheeses when it comes to coating your noodles. ...
  • Gouda. Gouda is a seriously underrated cheese when it comes to cooking! ...
  • Gruyère. Despite it being a hard cheese, Gruyère still melts nicely. ...
  • Cream Cheese. ...
  • Brie. ...
  • Goat Cheese. ...
  • Parmesan. ...
  • Anything pre-shredded.
Mar 14, 2023

What macaroni is best for mac and cheese? ›

Elbow macaroni yields perfect-sized bites and is great with almost any variation on the mac and cheese theme.” Christensen also said the short length and hollow center of elbow macaroni work especially well.

What keeps mac and cheese moist? ›

It's all about the sauce. Put plenty of milk in that sauce and even add a little sour cream. The pasta will absorb some of the liquid, but not all of it and your sauce will be moist and cheesy.

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).

Why add sour cream to mac and cheese? ›

Whether making it from scratch or the box, sour cream is the secret ingredient to rich and creamy macaroni and cheese. This tart and tangy additive goes a long way regarding recipes, and just a dollop can transform any dish into a thick and creamy masterpiece.

What are the ingredients in Gordon's 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 ...

What is Gordon Ramsay's best recipe? ›

Gordon Ramsay's best recipes include Beef Wellington, Coq au Vin, Beef Stroganoff, Chicken Piccata, Rack of Lamb, Baked Salmon with Lemon and Dill, Shrimp Scampi, Beef and Guinness Stew, Spaghetti Carbonara, and Beef Burgundy.

What recipe did Gordon Ramsay make? ›

Gordon Ramsay recipes
  • Rack of lamb with warm salad of mixed beans & slow-roast tomatoes. ...
  • Pan-fried sea trout, peas & chorizo fricassée. ...
  • Frozen banana & praline parfait. ...
  • Spaghetti with seafood velouté ...
  • Beef bourguignon with celeriac mash. ...
  • Chocolate marquise. ...
  • Beef wellington. ...
  • Lemon tart with summer berries.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Chrissy Homenick

Last Updated:

Views: 6205

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (54 voted)

Reviews: 85% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Chrissy Homenick

Birthday: 2001-10-22

Address: 611 Kuhn Oval, Feltonbury, NY 02783-3818

Phone: +96619177651654

Job: Mining Representative

Hobby: amateur radio, Sculling, Knife making, Gardening, Watching movies, Gunsmithing, Video gaming

Introduction: My name is Chrissy Homenick, I am a tender, funny, determined, tender, glorious, fancy, enthusiastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.