Brace yourself, cheese lovers! This isn’t your average elbow macaroni and cheddar situation.
We’ve got 23 insanely delicious mac and cheese recipes with bold flavors, unexpected twists, and next-level cheesy goodness.
Get ready to upgrade your mac and cheese game – it’s about to get epic.
One Pot Taco Mac and Cheese
Photo Credit: xoxoBella
This taco macaroni and cheese combines taco flavors and mac and cheese into one easy weeknight dinner.
A 30-minute dinner that is cozy, comforting, and the perfect dinner that even picky eaters will leave a good review on.
Get the Recipe: One Pot Taco Mac and Cheese
Tuna Mac and Cheese
Photo Credit: We Are Not Martha
Canned tuna is a protein-packed way to serve your cheesy pasta. Sharp cheddar and gruyere cheese make this a cheese lover’s dream come true.
Add panko breadcrumbs that get nice and crunchy as the pasta bakes in the oven. It is a tuna-filled dish that is great all year round.
Get the Recipe: Tuna Mac and Cheese
Brisket Mac and Cheese
Photo Credit: Burrata and Bubbles
You’ll be hooked on this fully loaded dish. Pair your leftover brisket with Gouda and smoked cheddar, creating amazing flavor dimensions in this recipe.
Extra cheesy pasta and juicy flavorful brisket are the stand-out flavors in this incredible dish.
Get the Recipe: Brisket Mac and Cheese
Tuscan Chicken Mac and Cheese
Photo Credit: Lauren Fit Foodie
This recipe has a Mediterranean flair of flavors and is loaded with diced chicken, making it an all-in-one meal. Italian seasonings, mushrooms, spinach, mozzarella, and cheddar cheese and more are showcased in this showstopper of a dish.
Get a restaurant-quality dish that takes just 30 minutes to whip up from start to finish.
Get the Recipe: Tuscan Chicken Mac and Cheese
Kimchi Mac and Cheese
Photo Credit: Table Nutrition
Kimchi is a tangy, zesty, and tantalizing fusion of flavors. If you haven’t thought about pairing it with pasta, you will now.
This dish takes ordinary mac and cheese and transforms it into a flavor bomb that has a spicy kick!
Get the Recipe: Kimchi Mac and Cheese
Cheeseburger Macaroni
Photo Credit: Cook Dinner Tonight
Move over, Hamburger Helper, and try this homemade hamburger macaroni recipe. It calls for seasoned ground beef and other basic pantry staples to make a mouthwatering 30-minute dinner.
It’s convenient and an easy to follow recipe, which makes it great whether you are new to the kitchen or a pro.
Get the Recipe: Cheeseburger Macaroni
Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese
Photo Credit: xoxoBella
Whip up this impressive dish that is loaded with diced bacon, pancetta, shallots, garlic, and white cheddar and gouda cheese.
A very savory dish that is a filling and can be served as a tasty side or main dish.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese
Sausage Mac and Cheese
Photo Credit: Running to the Kitchen
Reach for your favorite type of Italian sausage to create this dish. It’s sausage-infused macaroni and cheese with sharp white cheddar, which adds a rustic and pungent flavor to each bite.
The cheese complements the spicy sausage perfectly.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Mac and Cheese
Ultimate Mac and Cheese
Photo Credit: Garlic and Zest
Here is a classic dish that uses three varieties of cheese, leaving you begging for one more after one bite. White cheddar, Jarslberg, and Parmigiano Reggiano cheese ramp up the flavor level to something out of this world!
This is not a basic recipe; it is fully loaded.
Get the Recipe: Ultimate Mac and Cheese
Fried Mac & Cheese Bites
Photo Credit: Whipped It Up
Get ready for this incredible macaroni and cheese appetizer, which is breaded and deep-fried to a crispy nugget. You can dip them in marinara sauce or eat plain fried mac and cheese bites.
Either way, this is a creative new way to devour your favorite pasta.
Get the Recipe: Fried Mac & Cheese Bites
One Pot Mac ‘n Cheese
Photo Credit: Evolving Table
Here is a dinner solution that will leave the whole family feeling satisfied. A 30-minute gluten-free dinner that can also be made dairy-free if you need as well.
This recipe is adds broccoli florets for a pop of color, delicious flavor and nutrients in each bite.
Get the Recipe: One Pot Mac ‘n Cheese
Alpine Macaroni
Photo Credit: Mission Food Adventure
Alpine macaroni, also called Alpermagronen, is made with cubed potatoes and pasta smothered in a creamy sauce and topped with caramelized onions. Grated Appenzeller cheese enhances the flavor of this recipe.
Pair it with applesauce for a sweet twist on the savory flavors.
Get the Recipe: Alpine Macaroni
Cajun Mac and Cheese
Photo Credit: A Seasoned Greeting
Andouille sausages are diced and mixed in with elbow macaroni and Cajun seasonings, which adds a fiery kick to this recipe.
This macaroni pasta dish takes under an hour to whip up and put on the dinner table for your family and friends.
Get the Recipe: Cajun Mac and Cheese
Crab Macaroni and Cheese
Photo Credit: Housewives of Frederick County
Crab is the main event of this version of macaroni and cheese. The succulent crab meat is blended with Gruyère cheese, cheddar, and Old Bay seasoning, topped with a Ritz cracker topping, and baked in the oven.
If you are a fan of seafood, this is a new recipe to add to your meal planning.
Get the Recipe: Crab Macaroni and Cheese
Chipotle Mac and Cheese
Photo Credit: Pinch Me I’m Eating
Blackened shrimp, dried cavatappi pasta, chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, and cheddar cheese are all the flavors of this dish.
It is a weeknight dinner that’s worthy of a date night.
Get the Recipe: Chipotle Mac and Cheese
Chili Mac and Cheese
Photo Credit: Healthy Fitness Meals
This dish contains onion, bell pepper, mushrooms, black beans, corn, spices, and diced tomatoes.
A meatless pasta recipe that is perfect as a cheesy side dish or to serve as a main entree.
Get the Recipe: Chili Mac and Cheese
Goat Cheese Mac and Cheese
Photo Credit: The Littlest Crumb
This goat cheese version is full of earthy, robust, aromatic flavors paired with a blend of fresh herbs such as thyme, rosemary, and basil.
Top the pasta with a breadcrumb topping so it adds a crunch factor that balances the pasta nicely.
Get the Recipe: Goat Cheese Mac and Cheese
Lobster Mac and Cheese
Photo Credit: Ask Chef Dennis
Skip the expensive price tag of ordering at your favorite restaurant, and learn how to make your own lobster mac and cheese. Diced lobster is paired with a creamy and cheesy sauce and Italian breadcrumb topping.
The best luxury flavors in one dish.
Get the Recipe: Lobster Mac and Cheese
Southern Baked Mac and Cheese
Photo Credit: Sweet Tea and Thyme
This old-fashioned recipe offers a creamy cheese sauce topped with a breadcrumb that gets golden brown and crisp as it bakes. This classic version will take you back to your childhood with a single bite.
Serve as a main dish, or let the mac and cheese be the perfect side dish to compliment your entree.
Get the Recipe: Southern Baked Mac and Cheese
Hatch Green Chile Mac and Cheese
Photo Credit: Three Olives Branch
Spice up dinner this week and try out this green chile dish. It combines white cheddar cheese, spicy pepper jack cheese, diced green chiles, choice of pasta, and a blend of spices.
This recipe is a great twist on a classic dish.
Get the Recipe: Hatch Green Chile Mac and Cheese
Smoked Mac and Cheese
Photo Credit: The Feathered Nester
Get your pellet grill preheating and whip up this smoked version! This dish is buttery and savory, with a rich wood-smoked flavor infused in each bite.
What makes this recipe stand out is the bacon and breadcrumb topping.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Mac and Cheese
Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese
Photo Credit: Feast and Farm
Tantalizing and fiery flavors are featured here. The shredded chicken is smothered in a creamy buffalo-infused sauce.
Take it a step further and drizzle some blue cheese or ranch dressing over the top to tame the spice.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese
White Cheddar Truffle Mac and Cheese
Photo Credit: Ask Chef Dennis
Reach for truffle oil, which offers an earthy richness that is the epitome of comfort food. The oil transforms the flavors of pasta, cream cheese, parmesan cheese, and white cheddar.
One big tip is to make sure you use real truffle oil, not synthetic.
Get the Recipe: White Cheddar Truffle Mac and Cheese
Next Up: 25 Chicken Breast Recipes To Shake Up Dinner
Photo Credit: Healthy Fitness Meals
Chicken breasts are versatile, tasty, and always there to save the day when hunger strikes.
We’re dishing up something special. Packed with flavor, easy to make, and guaranteed to have your taste buds doing a happy dance.
From tasty stir-fries to cheesy bakes and everything in between, these recipes are sure to become regulars on your dinner menu.
Get the Recipes: 25 Chicken Breast Recipes To Shake Up Dinner