You might have grown up eating mac and cheese from that little blue box — you know the one — but now that you're older it's time to ditch the almost-instant stuff (complete with day-glow cheese) for a more sophisticated version. Here's the secret: in a world of complicated side dishes, Mac and cheese is so easy to make. Not to mention the fact that the variations are almost endless. We had a tough time choosing our favorite recipes, but we found 14 of our favorites to get you started. Now banish that blue box and let's get cooking!
Rainbow Mac + Cheese Recipe
Homemade cheese fondue is drizzled over dyed pasta and served up in a wild spectrum of color across your plate. Get ready to dig in and taste the rainbow. All the kiddies — big and small — will love this one. (Brit + Co)
Skillet Mac and Cheese (Pizza Style)
Oh em gee — it's everyone's two faves, pizza and mac and cheese, cooked up in a single skillet. This double-delicious dish will get thumbs up from even the pickiest eaters at the table. (via Heather's French Press)
Lobster Mac and Cheese
This homemade mac and cheese is made the old-fashioned way, with a floury roux-based cheese sauce. The combination of cheddar and Parrano cheese is extra tangy, and pairs just right with the lobster. Your tastebuds will thank you for your trouble. (via Amy in the Kitchen)
Macaroni and Cheese With Bacon and Caramelized Onions
Everyone's childhood favorite is all grown up in this mac and cheese with bacon and caramelized onions. Elevate this dish to food-throwdown perfection by subbing prosciutto or pancetta in place of the bacon. (via Julia's Album)
Four-Cheese Caprese Mac and Cheese
This recipe is so simple, yet *so* delicious. Take your basic mac and cheese and load it up with four cheeses — cheddar, mozzarella, Havarti and Brie — then top with a fresh basil pesto and some heirloom tomato slices. It's everything you ever wanted in a mac and cheese: creamy, luscious and OH-SO-good. (via Half Baked Harvest)
French Onion Mac and Cheese
Vidalia onions are spilling over at the greenmarket, and this soup takes full advantage. Everyone knows the best part of onion soup is the cheese, right? But let's up our game by adding macaroni and cheese, to turn this soup into a tasty meal that's deeply satisfying. (via Hungry Couple)
Gluten Free Mac and Cheese With Zucchini Noodles
This one's for all the GF peeps in the house. This mac and cheese comes with a delectable sauce made of Greek yogurt, mozzarella and Parmesan cheese that's served over zucchini noodles. This low-carb, low-cal copycat clocks in at just 250 calories and tastes out of this world. (via Food Faith Fitness)
An Irishman's Mac and Cheese
Okay, we promised you crazy, and this dish can bring it! Imagine an Irish colcannon with bacon, kale and potatoes in a scrumptious mash-up with a traditional mac and cheese. And if that's not outrageous enough, top it off with a crumbled mound of potato chips before serving. You'll want to bookmark this one for St. Paddy's Day. (via Half Baked Harvest)
Bacon, Mac and Cheese Melt
Mac and cheese brings this grilled cheese with bacon sammy to a whole new mind-blowing level. It makes a perfect second-day lunch when you've got some leftover mac and cheese in the fridge. (via Real Food by Dad)
Fried Mac and Cheese
Because everything tastes better fried, this TGI Friday's copycat calls for homemade mac and cheese to be chilled, formed, then dipped in egg and covered in breadcrumbs before hitting the fryer. Golden brown, crusty and oozing cheesy goodness, these bites won't last a minute — so you'd better make a double batch for that next BBQ. (via Spicy Southern Kitchen)
Bacon Mac and Cheese Bites
These appetizers are easy to make and bacon-anything is always a crowd pleaser. Bonus: They can be prepped ahead of time and warmed up right before serving. (via The Gunny Sack)
Jalapeño Poppers With Mac and Cheese Cheetos
These poppers are stuffed with cheesy macaroni, then covered in crunchy Cheetos and doused with melted cheese. SWOON. Have some ice cold beer handy, because these things are addictive and the jalapeños pack a punch. (via Foodness Gracious)
Mini Italian Meatball Mac and Cheese Stuffed Peppers
When cooking something everyone likes seems almost impossible, here's your secret weapon! Mac and cheese and spicy Italian meatballs are stuffed inside colorful bell peppers, then bathed in savory marinara sauce. Reluctant short order cook FTW! (via Half Baked Harvest)
Quinoa Spinach Mac and Cheese
Perfect recipe for the veg head who would prefer to see something green on their plate. (via Two Peas & Their Pod)
If you're swooning over these crazy good mac and cheese concoctions, there's more where that came from. Follow us on Pinterest for more unique recipes.
This post has been updated.
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Sally Jones
Sally Jones is a writer and editor living in New York City. She has worked at many websites including iVillage, Ladies Home Journal, More, Parenting, Cosmopolitan, The Knot and YourTango, in jobs ranging from editor to COO. Renovation and interior design are her
hobbies. She has renovated every home she's lived in, including the rentals, and like... whoa, who does that? You can catch her at her blog Renov8or.
