5 Crave-Worthy Takes on Skillet Mac and Cheese

Everyday Food

Comforting and crave-worthy, macaroni and cheese is hard to improve. But we think we've done it. Try this one-pot version with four tempting variations.

Skillet Macaroni and Cheese

6 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 cup fresh breadcrumbs
1/4 cup grated Parmesan
1 small yellow onion, diced small
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
6 cups 2% milk
3/4 pound elbow macaroni
3 cups grated sharp white cheddar
1 cup grated Gruyere
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Salt and pepper

1. Heat broiler. In a large straight-sided, oven-safe skillet, melt butter. Remove 1 tablespoon butter and combine with breadcrumbs and Parmesan.

2. Add onion to skillet and cook until softened. Whisk in flour and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Very gradually whisk in milk and bring to a simmer. Add macaroni and cook, stirring constantly and scraping bottom of pan, until tender, about 6 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in remaining cheese and the mustard, and season with salt and pepper. Top with breadcrumb mixture and broil until golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes.

Related: 10 New Ways to Use Leftover Bacon Grease

Mushroom Fontina Macaroni and Cheese

6 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 cup fresh breadcrumbs
1/4 cup grated Parmesan
8 ounces sliced cremini mushrooms
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
6 cups 2% milk
3/4 pound elbow macaroni
3 cups grated fontina
1 cup grated Gruyere
2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme leaves
Salt and pepper

1. Heat broiler. In a large straight-sided, oven-safe skillet, melt butter. Remove 1 tablespoon butter and combine with breadcrumbs and Parmesan.

2. Add mushrooms to skillet and cook until softened. Whisk in flour and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Very gradually whisk in milk and bring to a simmer. Add macaroni and cook, stirring constantly and scraping bottom of pan, until tender, about 6 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in remaining cheese and the thyme, and season with salt and pepper. Top with breadcrumb mixture and broil until golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes.

Jalapeno Macaroni and Cheese

6 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 cup fresh breadcrumbs
1/4 cup grated Parmesan
2 seeded, diced jalapenos
4 sliced scallions
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
6 cups 2% milk
3/4 pound elbow macaroni
1 cup grated sharp white cheddar
3 cups shredded Monterey Jack
2 cups corn kernels
Salt and pepper

1. Heat broiler. In a large straight-sided, oven-safe skillet, melt butter. Remove 1 tablespoon butter and combine with breadcrumbs and Parmesan.

2. Add jalapenos and scallions to skillet and cook until softened. Whisk in flour and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Very gradually whisk in milk and bring to a simmer. Add macaroni and cook, stirring constantly and scraping bottom of pan, until tender, about 6 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in remaining cheese and the corn, and season with salt and pepper. Top with breadcrumb mixture and broil until golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes.

Bacon Macaroni and Cheese

8 slices bacon
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 cup fresh breadcrumbs
1/4 cup grated Parmesan
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
6 cups 2% milk
3/4 pound elbow macaroni
3 cups grated gouda
1 cup grated Gruyere
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Salt and pepper

1. Cook bacon until crisp. Remove from skillet and crumble (discard bacon fat).

2. Heat broiler. In a large straight-sided, oven-safe skillet, melt butter. Remove 1 tablespoon butter and combine with breadcrumbs and Parmesan.

3. Whisk in flour and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Very gradually whisk in milk and bring to a simmer. Add macaroni and cook, stirring constantly and scraping bottom of pan, until tender, about 6 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in remaining cheese and the bacon and mustard, and season with salt and pepper. Top with breadcrumb mixture and broil until golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes.

Related: Quick, One-Pot Meal Ideas To Feed the Whole Family

Primavera Macaroni and Cheese

6 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 cup fresh breadcrumbs
1/4 cup grated Parmesan
2 large leeks, white and light-green parts only, washed well and sliced
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
6 cups 2% milk
2 cups thinly sliced mixed vegetables
3/4 pound elbow macaroni
3 cups grated sharp white cheddar
4 ounces crumbled goat cheese
Salt and pepper

1. Heat broiler. In a large straight-sided, oven-safe skillet, melt butter. Remove 1 tablespoon butter and combine with breadcrumbs and Parmesan.

2. Add leeks to skillet and cook until softened. Whisk in flour and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Very gradually whisk in milk and bring to a simmer. Add mixed vegetables. Add macaroni and cook, stirring constantly and scraping bottom of pan, until tender, about 6 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in remaining cheese, and season with salt and pepper. Top with breadcrumb mixture and broil until golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes.

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35 Beyond Delicious No-Bake Dessert Recipes
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15 Kitchen Shortcuts That Will Change the Way You Cook

Serve your mac as a side dish to home-fried bird for the perfect Southern meal.