The World's Best Mac and Cheese Recipes

Jalepeno Mac and Cheese
Jalepeno Mac and Cheese

There's nothing quite like pasta swimming in a gooey, bubbly sea of cheeses to wet one's appetite on a cold, cloudy day. Or a bright and sunny day, for that matter. Mac and cheese is the preferred method of delivery of fats, carbs, cholesterol, and salt for many, and there's nothing wrong with that. In fact, it's downright delicious. It's honest and comforting, familiar yet frequently sought-after - many yearn for that perfect bite of pasta to take them back to childhood.

There's always the easy way out - mac and cheese out of the box - but sometimes going the extra mile and taking the homemade route is worthwhile. Not that anyone is going to be forced to make béchamel sauce - that would be the obvious take, anyway. Instead, we offer some interesting interpretations on this perennial comfort food.

"World's Best" Mac and Cheese

The best part about this mac and cheese recipe is that it can be made ahead and frozen - just be sure to use a freezer-to-oven-safe pan and increase the baking time to 50 minutes.

Click Here to see The "World's Best" Mac and Cheese Recipe


Jalapeño Bacon Mac and Cheese
(Pictured at Top of Page)

For those of you who are constantly looking to spruce up your mac and cheese, this recipe calls for two no-fail ingredients: jalapeño and bacon. That's not only our favorite part, though, because we're pretty sure this is the first version we've seen with Boursin cheese in the noodle casserole.

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BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese

It may not sound like light, low-calorie fare, but at just 255 calories per serving, this comforting macaroni and cheese is indeed a featherweight.

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Lobster Mac and Cheese Recipe

What could be more decadent than lobster in good old mac and cheese? Grana Padano and two different types of Cheddar already make this a mac and cheese to die for, but the addition of lobster just puts it over the top. This is definitely a mac and cheese adults won't want to miss.

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Carroty Mac and Cheese Recipe

What's the best way to sneak vegetables into a kid's diet? Why, hide them in something they can't resist…

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Gooey Mac and Cheese Recipe

INGREDIENTS

2 cups uncooked rotini pasta (the swirls hold the sauce better than regular macaroni)
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter, cut into pieces
1 cup grated Monterey Jack cheese
1 1/4 cups grated sharp Cheddar cheese
1/4 cup goat cheese crumbles
1/2 cup sour cream 1 teaspoon salt
1 cup whole milk
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 cup seasoned breadcrumbs

DIRECTIONS


Boil the macaroni in a 2-quart saucepan in plenty of water until tender, about 7-9 minutes. Drain. In a medium saucepan, mix butter and cheeses (reserve 1/4 cup of the Cheddar). Stir until the cheeses melt. Add the sour cream, salt, milk, mustard, garlic powder, and pepper to the butter/cheese mixture and stir well. Then add drained macaroni and mix well. Pour into a baking dish coated with nonstick spray. Sprinkle with remaining Cheddar cheese and breadcrumbs. Bake, uncovered at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly.

Recipe Details


Recipe courtesy of Taylor Hicks and Taste of Home.

Servings: 8
Total time: 55 minutes

Click Here to see 8 Great Tips for Making the Perfect Mac 'n' Cheese

- The Daily Meal