A bowl of creamy pasta after class, a baked pan for the dinner table, or a slow cooker full of something cheesy to share. These mac and cheese recipes give you ten ways to make that plan happen. There's sharp cheddar, a crisp breadcrumb topping, broccoli tucked between the noodles, and a dairy-free sauce made with potatoes and cashews.
Each recipe below belongs to its original creator. You'll find a direct link to their full recipe, plus a few details to help you choose. Start with the cooking method that fits your kitchen, then pick the cheese or topping that sounds good.
If you're bringing a pan to a friend's place, our guide to what to bring to Friendsgiving can help you plan your part of the meal.
Stovetop Mac and Cheese Recipes for a Bowl Tonight
1. Creamy Stovetop Mac and Cheese from Pumpkin 'N Spice
Recipe by Gayle Bialas of Pumpkin 'N Spice.
Gayle's recipe pairs sharp cheddar with mozzarella, so you get two cheeses in a sauce made with milk and cream. She uses cavatappi, the short corkscrew pasta that gives each forkful a few extra turns. You can choose another shape from the options on her page.
This is a good place to start when you want a saucy bowl without a baked topping. The recipe stays on the stovetop, and her recipe card lists 35 minutes total. Set out bowls while the pasta cooks, then serve it as the main part of dinner with a side you like.
Choose this one for the cheddar-and-mozzarella pairing. The creamy sauce and curved pasta get the whole bowl to themselves.
Get the full recipe from Gayle at Pumpkin 'N Spice.
2. Classic Homemade Mac and Cheese from Budget Bytes
Recipe by Beth Moncel of Budget Bytes.
Beth's stovetop recipe starts with sharp cheddar, whole milk, butter and flour. Onion powder, garlic powder, paprika and a little hot sauce add flavor to the sauce. Her page also covers other cheese choices if you'd like to use a mix.
The recipe card lists four servings and a 25-minute total time. That makes this a useful one to compare when you're choosing a smaller batch for dinner. Think about whether you're serving it as the main dish or a side when you plan portions for your group.
Choose this for a sharp-cheddar bowl with a few pantry seasonings. You can keep the rest of dinner to something that needs little prep, such as a green salad.
Get the full recipe from Beth at Budget Bytes.
Baked Mac and Cheese for the Table
3. Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese from The Chunky Chef
Recipe by Amanda of The Chunky Chef.
Amanda uses cheddar and Gruyère in this baked version. Some of the cheese goes into the sauce, and more gets layered through the pasta and over the top. The finish is melted cheese, so this is the one to look at when that's your favorite part of a baked pan.
Her recipe card lists eight servings, with a note that it can serve eight to ten. The full post includes make-ahead notes and tips for changing the cheese blend. Check those before choosing it for a dinner you're prepping in stages.
This is a fitting choice for a shared table with several sides. If you're hosting in an apartment, our small-space Friendsgiving guide helps you make room for serving dishes and seats.
Get the full recipe from Amanda at The Chunky Chef.
4. Baked Macaroni and Cheese from Sally's Baking
Recipe by Sally McKenney of Sally's Baking.
Sally combines cheddar and cream cheese, then adds a buttery panko topping. That gives you creamy pasta underneath and a crisp finish on top. Her recipe works with elbow pasta or shells, so you have a little choice in the shape of each bite.
Sally also includes make-ahead and freezing notes. Those help if you'd like to prep part of dinner ahead and save the baking for later. The panko is a big part of this pick, so keep her topping notes with your dinner plan.
Choose this one when breadcrumbs are part of the plan. A shallow serving spoon will help you scoop both the pasta and a bit of that golden top onto each plate.
Get the full recipe from Sally's Baking.
5. Becki's Mac and Cheese
Recipe by Joanna Gaines. Includes a cream-cheese option.
Slow Cooker and Instant Pot Options
6. Crock Pot Mac and Cheese from Spend With Pennies
Recipe by Holly Nilsson of Spend With Pennies.
Holly's slow cooker version uses cheddar and Gruyère with sour cream, mayonnaise and condensed cream of chicken soup. It's a different sauce base from the butter-and-flour versions above, so read the ingredient list before you choose it. The chicken soup matters if you're planning a meat-free meal.
Her recipe card lists 15 minutes of prep and two hours of cooking. This suits an afternoon when you can get dinner started well before you want to eat. Follow her pasta and slow cooker notes, since the cooking method is part of what makes this recipe work.
Choose this for a slow cooker meal with a creamy sauce. Keep the appliance on a firm surface with room nearby for plates and a serving spoon.
Get the full recipe from Holly at Spend With Pennies.
7. Instant Pot Mac and Cheese from Gimme Some Oven
Recipe by Ali Martin of Gimme Some Oven.
Ali's recipe uses sharp cheddar and Parmesan, with mustard and garlic powder in the mix. The pasta cooks in the Instant Pot, and the cheese sauce comes together in the same pot. You can keep the stove free for another dish.
The pressure-cooking step is four minutes, while the recipe card lists 25 minutes total. Keep that full time in your dinner plan. Heating the pot and finishing the sauce are part of the process, too.
Choose this one when you already have an Instant Pot and want a cheddar-and-Parmesan option. Read Ali's cheese notes before shopping, and follow the recipe's pressure-release steps. It's a fitting choice for a kitchen where the oven is busy with the rest of the meal.
Get the full recipe from Ali at Gimme Some Oven.
Mac and Cheese with Vegetables or a Dairy-Free Sauce
8. One Pot Stove-Top Mac and Cheese from Half Baked Harvest
Recipe by Tieghan Gerard of Half Baked Harvest.
Tieghan adds chopped broccoli and grated zucchini to this one-pot pasta. Sharp cheddar, Monterey Jack and cream cheese make up the cheese mix. The broccoli stays visible among the noodles, while the grated zucchini becomes part of the dish.
Her recipe card lists 30 minutes total. It includes milk choices and a mix of seasonings, so you can check what you already have before you shop. The broccoli cooks with the pasta, and the grated zucchini goes in later.
Choose this when you want broccoli in the same pot as the pasta. It gives the roundup a green-filled option you can put in bowls and carry straight to the table.
Get the full recipe from Tieghan at Half Baked Harvest.
9. Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese from Skinnytaste
Recipe by Gina Homolka of Skinnytaste.
Gina blends butternut squash into the sauce and adds cheddar and Gruyère. Whole wheat elbow pasta goes underneath a panko-and-Parmesan topping. The squash is part of the sauce, so this is a different texture from a pasta dish with cubes of squash mixed through it.
Her recipe card lists one hour and 15 minutes total. Give it that space in your plan if you're making it for dinner. The full post walks through the squash, sauce and baking stages, along with serving and storage notes.
Choose this when you'd like a baked option with squash in the mix. It fits a fall table, though you can make it whenever butternut squash sounds good with dinner.
Get the full recipe from Gina at Skinnytaste.
10. Vegan Mac and Cheese from Love and Lemons
Recipe from Jeanine Donofrio and Phoebe Moore of Love and Lemons.
This sauce gets its creamy base from yellow potato, sweet potato and cashews. Nutritional yeast, garlic, onion powder and apple cider vinegar add flavor. It's a dairy-free option with its own ingredient list, including cashews, so check it with anyone you're cooking for.
The full page has several variations, including extra vegetables and a gluten-free pasta option. Follow the version that fits your group and check the ingredients on the pasta you choose. Vegan and nut-free are separate needs here.
Choose this when you're planning a plant-based bowl. A side of roasted vegetables would fit beside it, or you can explore the vegetable additions on the original page and keep dinner in one bowl.
Get the full recipe from Love and Lemons.
Make Room for Dinner and Seconds
Pick the recipe first, then check how it fits the meal. A stovetop pot, a baked pan and a slow cooker each need a different spot in the kitchen. If you're bringing food, ask your host about oven space, an outlet and when dinner starts. A serving spoon belongs in your bag, too.
For a shared buffet, the FDA's safe buffet guide says to keep hot food at 140°F or warmer. Refrigerate perishable food within two hours if it isn't being held hot or cold, or within one hour when the air is above 90°F.
Pack leftovers into shallow containers so they cool more quickly. When it's time for another bowl, the FDA's food handling guide gives 165°F as the reheating temperature for leftovers and casseroles. Use a food thermometer to check.
Once the plates are cleared, you can move to the couch for one of these Friendsgiving games. Dinner and a round of Fishbowl sounds like a good evening.
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