Home Recipes 36 Creative Mac & Cheese Recipes by susie foresmanJanuary 5, 2022 Search more like this mac and cheesecrock potgluten freeveganandouille sausagecomfort foodgoat cheesehealthy foodinstant potstay at homebakingdairy freegreek yogurthow to Advertisement Trending Now Viral & Trending Dad Gets Shamed for Using a Leash with 5-Year-Old Quintuplets News Chrissy Teigen Announces She’s Pregnant Almost 2 Years after Losing Jack Viral & Trending This Guy’s Going Very Viral for Nailing the Amazingly Terrible Things About Summer Viral & Trending Michigan Restaurant Closes Early Due to ‘Rude’ Tourists Mistreating Staff Celeb & Entertainment ‘Virgin River’ Season 5 Has Already Started Filming Advertisement If your little one’s favorite food groups are chicken tenders and mac and cheese, you’re in luck. We’ve rounded up a bunch of recipes that range from easy homemade mac and cheese to cauliflower mac and cheese. Some of these recipes incorporate other things like sweet potatoes to chicken, so whether you’re looking for rich indulgence or a lightened-up version, we’ve got you covered. See our favorite mac and cheese recipes below. One Lovely Life Gluten-Free Chili Mac A spin on two classic family recipes, this cheesy gluten-free chili mac only has three ingredients, which makes it perfect for busy weeknights. Don’t want to go gluten free? Swap out the gluten-free shells for regular pasta instead. Get the how-to over at One Lovely Life. A Taste of Madness Gnocchi Mac and Cheese A unique twist on a classic meal, this gnocchi mac and cheese only requires five ingredients and takes 30 minutes to make. Find the recipe over at A Taste of Madness. iStock Copycat Cracker Barrel Mac and Cheese The mac and cheese side dish is a favorite at Cracker Barrel, and it’s easy to re-create your own version at home by using the recipe we spotted at Eat This, Not That! Be sure to use good Colby cheese and don’t stop whisking! Jessie Johnson via Life As a Strawberry White Cheddar Avocado Mac and Cheese Cheese? Check. Avocado? Check. Noodles? Check! This recipe from Life As A Strawberry has all your kids’ favorite ingredients, mixed up into one delicious batch of mac and cheese. The easy-to-make avocado sauce gets a kick from cilantro and the white cheddar has a smooth flavor that’ll please adults too. Get the recipe by clicking here. Mariana Ibanez via Unsplash The Easiest Stove Top Mac and Cheese Sometimes you just want mac and cheese from a pot on the stove. To help you skip the processed and the packaging, we found this recipe from The Kitchn. Using cheese, milk and flour, you’ll have a gooey, cheesy meal ready to go in a few. You can even throw in peas or peppers to give it a little something else. Photo by Hermes Rivera on Unsplash Instant Pot Mac and Cheese If you thought slow cooker mac and cheese was easy, wait until you get a glance at the recipe for an Instant Pot version we spotted over at Spend with Pennies. Even easier, you’ll be eating cheesy noodles in no time. Host the Toast Three-Cheese Crock Pot Mac and Cheese Using a mix of cheddar, gruyere and American cheeses, Host the Toast has come up with a delicious three-cheese Crock Pot mac and cheese that your kids will love. My Fussy Eater Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese My Fussy Eater has found a way to sneak veggies into your kids’ dinner without the inevitable “ewww” that follows. Butternut squash, which is a great source of vitamins A and C, plus fiber, and its smooth texture when cooked (not to mention that yellow color) combines perfectly with cheese, for serious pasta goodness. Tina Witherspoon via Unsplash Baked Mac and Cheese We love The Chunky Chef’s version for its gourmet cheese combo: medium cheddar and Gruyere. We also love the secret to getting that irresistible cheesiness. Smells Like Home Panera Bread Copycat Mac and Cheese If you are obsessed with mac and cheese Panera-style, then this one is for you. For everyone else, this one is for you too. Made on the stovetop, with a hint of Dijon, this incredible copycat recipe from Smells Like Home will be your new favorite. Food Fanatic Homemade Kraft Easy Mac Mac and cheese is a surefire win for our kids, which is why we love this take on easy mac from Food Fanatic. The best part? It’s made entirely in the microwave and comes together in a flash. Kristine’s Kitchen Make-Ahead Mac and Cheese You can never have too many mac and cheese recipes! We’re digging this one from Kristine’s Kitchen because it’s a snap to make and you can refrigerate it up to two days before baking. It’s a cheesy win-win! The Chunky Chef Crock Pot Mac ‘n’ Cheese Mac ‘n’ cheese that doesn’t require boiling noodles or standing over a stove, stirring for what feels like hours on end? Yes, please! We couldn’t believe our luck when we happened upon this recipe for Crock Pot mac and cheese from The Chunky Chef. You’ll get all the same cheesy goodness with practically no effort. Taryn Elliott via Unsplash 3-Cheese Mac n Cheese This macaroni and cheese recipe uses three different kinds of cheese (awesome!) and is made only in five easy steps. Kids will love the creamy and hearty taste of the dish, while parents will breathe a sigh of relief that this recipe is not only delicious but quick and easy as well. iStock Baked Mac and Cheese from Damn Delicious This baked mac and cheese is perfect for a cozy night at home. The creamy cheese sauce is hidden beneath a crunchy top—yum! Get the recipe over at Damn Delicious. Veggies Don’t Bite Baked Artisan Mac and Cheese Comfort food that is good for you? It does exist, thanks to this whole food-based makeover from Veggies Don’t Bite. This sharp white mac ‘n’ cheese bake is as creamy and delicious, you’ll never be able to tell that it’s gluten and dairy free. Weelicious Green Macaroni and Cheese Try out this veggie-fied take on mac and cheese from Weelicious. No food coloring is needed—spinach and broccoli are the key ingredients to make the mix bright green. Honey & Figs Skinny Ham Mac ‘n’ Cheese For a lightened-up take on your favorite dish, you’ve got to try this skinny mac ‘n’ cheese from Honey & Figs. Made with whole wheat noodles, a touch of barbecue sauce and Greek yogurt for added creaminess, it’s sure to be a hit with your crew. Love & Risotto Cauliflower Macaroni and Cheese Cauliflower pairs perfectly with mac and cheese in this genius recipe from Love & Risotto. Once it’s topped with breadcrumbs and broiled to make a crunchy topping, even picky kids will be on board. Living Well Kitchen Cajun Mac and Cheese Mac and cheese goes Cajun in Living Well Kitchen’s hearty recipe. With andouille sausage, shrimp and lots of cheese, it’s going to be an instant hit. The Wooden Skillet Baked Goat Cheese Mac and Cheese with Roasted Broccoli Fancy up your mac and cheese with this recipe from The Wooden Skillet. We love the combination of tangy goat cheese and charred broccoli. Superman Cooks Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese This recipe from Superman Cooks combines two of our favorite things to make an instant family fave. Recipe Diaries Killer Mac and Cheese with Bacon Treat the family to this super-indulgent dish from Recipe Diaries. You know what they say—everything tastes better with bacon. Running with Spoons Vegan Mac and Cheese If you’ve got a vegan in your family (or are just trying out Meatless Monday), this vegan mac and cheese from Running with Spoons is your new best friend. It’s pretty easy to pull off using items you probably have in your pantry, plus some nutritional yeast. Damn Delicious One-Pot Chili Mac and Cheese This recipe from Damn Delicious combines two of our favorite comfort foods into one delish meal. The best part? You’ll only need one pot! 24 Carrot Life Cottage Cheese Baked Mac and Cheese This lightened-up version from 24 Carrot Life makes use of cottage cheese and dijon mustard to create a surefire kid favorite. Miss Hangry Pants Pumpkin Mac and Cheese Pumpkins aren’t just for Halloween—Miss Hangry Pants serves up this delish recipe with a fall-inspired twist. The pumpkin adds extra earthiness and makes the sauce even creamier. Damn Delicious One Pot Andouille Sausage Skillet Pasta Dinner will be on the table in no time thanks to this one-pot recipe from Damn Delicious. PDX Food Love White Cheese Pesto Mac Class up your dinner with PDX Food Love’s recipe for pesto mac and cheese. Herby and creamy, it’s tasty enough to please the whole family. Well Floured Skillet Pizza Mac and Cheese This recipe from Well Floured is sure to be an instant hit in your family. Plus, it’s easy to throw together in the skillet. The Stay at Home Chef Roasted Red Pepper Mac and Cheese Sneak some veggies into your dinner with this recipe from The Stay at Home Chef. The roasted peppers, ground mustard, and a dash of hot sauce work together to make a perfect weeknight meal. Healthy Food for Living Sweet Potato Mac and Cheese Cups We love these cute little mac and cheese cups from Healthy Food for Living. Picky kiddos won’t even notice the sweet potatoes. Funnylove Roasted Vegetable Mac and Cheese Funnylove’s mac and cheese is a great way to sneak some veggies into your little one’s diet. You can sub in your family’s preferred vegetables, too. —Gabby Cullen with Susie ForesmanFeatured image: iStock RELATED STORIES:15-Minute Trader Joe’s Meal Hacks to Try Tonight11 Instant Pot Freezer Meals For Busy NightsSoup, Stew & Chili Recipes to Warm You Up Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)Click to share on Copy (Opens in new window) Search more like this mac and cheesecrock potgluten freeveganandouille sausagecomfort foodgoat cheesehealthy foodinstant potstay at homebakingdairy freegreek yogurthow to Welcome to our Tinybeans family! Be sure to check your email for new activities, recipes and parenting hacks – and to see if you’ve won! Do you have a dog or cat? Select YES below and click submit to start receiving FREE pet ideas and inspiration, news about new pet products, exclusive offers and limited-time promotions. 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