12 Best Mac and Cheese Recipes That Are Pure Creamy Comfort
Make Ree's classic baked version or try a creative twist.
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When you're craving comfort food, it's truly hard to beat the creamy, gooey goodness of mac and cheese. It's an American classic that's good any time of year. Whether you're looking to impress at a church potluck, round out your Thanksgiving with a crowd-pleasing side, or just making a family meal you know even the pickiest eater will love, these macaroni and cheese recipes will have everyone asking for seconds.
While you can certainly doctor up a boxed mac and cheese, making it from scratch just feels so much more special and luxurious. Homemade mac and cheese recipes aren't hard to make either. As long as you know the best cheeses to use and follow a few simple instructions, you can wow everyone (including yourself). In fact, several of these recipes are 30-minute meals if you can believe it! Seriously, there's an Instant Pot recipe where it does all the work for you.
Another great thing about macaroni and cheese? Just by adding protein, it can go from hearty side dish to full meal in a matter of minutes. Try Ree's chili mac and cheese on any weeknight or get luxurious with lobster and spoil your sweetheart. You'll find options that you make on the stovetop, pop in the oven, and set in the slow cooker. No matter which option you decide to make first, rest assured that it will not last long once everyone digs into the cheesy masterpiece before them.
Baked Macaroni and Cheese
If you're not sure where to start, go with this classic that Ree says is "the best mac and cheese in all eternity." Don't skip the step of grating your own cheese—it's worth the extra creaminess.
Get Ree's Baked Macaroni and Cheese recipe.
Buffalo Mac and Cheese
Grab your favorite bottle of hot sauce and get ready to spice things up for dinner! This recipe also includes shredded rotisserie chicken in the mix, so you can make it as a full meal.
Get Ree's Buffalo Mac and Cheese recipe.
Lobster Mac and Cheese
Hello, dinner date idea! Large chunks of lush lobster are folded into four different types of cheese and topped with crunchy panko breadcrumbs for the ultimate way to spoil those you love.
Get Ree's Lobster Mac and Cheese recipe.
Pumpkin Mac and Cheese
Pumpkin adds nutrients, a lot of creaminess, and a subtle sweetness for an autumnal twist. But don't worry, it's not super sweet: The smoked gouda cheese balances it out perfectly.
Get the Pumpkin Mac and Cheese recipe.
Crock-Pot Mac and Cheese
Do you have five minutes? Good, because that's all the time you'll need to prep this dish. You don't even have to boil the pasta! Your handy slow cooker will do everything for you in just over an hour.
Get the Crock-Pot Mac and Cheese recipe.
Chili Mac and Cheese
Now this is a dish you can make any day of the week! It takes just a half hour to pull together and tastes like combining hearty chili and creamy mac and cheese in one skillet.
Get Ree's Chili Mac and Cheese recipe.
Tex-Mex Mac and Cheese
Another flavor boost idea is to go Tex-Mex! Pepper jack cheese, a poblano pepper, a healthy dose of chili powder and cumin, plus some fire-roasted corn will do just that for ya.
Get Ree's Tex-Mex Mac and Cheese recipe.
Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
Roasted and mashed butternut squash adds a sensational fall twist to a cheddar-based mac. Cooking it in a skillet helps the edges get deliciously golden brown and crispy for added texture.
Get Ree's Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese recipe.
Fried Mac and Cheese Balls
It's hard to make mac and cheese better than it already is. But if you coat little balls of it in crushed potato chips and fry 'em up, you've got a good case to prove otherwise.
Get the Fried Mac and Cheese Balls recipe.
Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
30 minutes is all you need to make this mac and cheese from scratch. And only ten of it is actually hands on! That means you have no excuse to make it like right now.
Get Ree's Instant Pot Mac and Cheese recipe.
Creamy Oven-Fried Mac and Cheese Bites
If you love the idea of fried mac and cheese bites but don't want to deal with the oil, pop them in the oven instead! Using mini cupcake pans helps ensure they hold together and get nice and crispy on the sides.
Spicy Macaroni and Cheese
Travel back in time to 2008 when Ree posted this 20-minute recipe that left her "speechless." Diced red bell peppers, jalapeños, and green chilies give it the right amount of kick that'll "change your life for the better."
Get Ree's Spicy Macaroni and Cheese recipe.
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