When we say mac and cheese, we sometimes automatically think about the boxed kind with the same cheese flavor that almost tastes like salty milk. The dish shouldn’t be that sad, though, and believe it or not, there are plenty of ways to uplift the dish. Here are mac and cheese dinner ideas that you will surely love.
Mac and Cheese Dinner Ideas: Feta and Red Pepper Mac and Cheese
Tempting feta and red bell peppers give this dish some tang and flavor. The color really pops, making it both appealing and appetizing.
Crab Cake Mac and Cheese
Crab cakes are a delicacy for many and a staple in the Northeast Region.
It’s easy to take mac and cheese and put a crab cake spin on it that your family will love. This dish is unique enough that it’ll be a hit at any party.
Mac and Cheese With Green Curry
Green curry gives this dish a hint of spice. Even though it’s considered a skinny mac, this dish pops with the pungent and spicy green curry paste.
Mac and Cheese Carbonara
Cake Boss Buddy Valastro serves an amazing Mac and Cheese Carbonara at his Buddy V’s Ristorante. It features smoked mozzarella, fontina, egg, pancetta, and sweet peas. It’s a customer favorite! Try it in your own kitchen.
Pulled Pork Mac and Cheese
This meaty macaroni and cheese recipe happens to be a favorite in the South.
A cup or two of broccoli added in ratches the health level of this dish up a notch and the flavor is amazing.
Oven-Baked Mac and Cheese With Broccoli and Mushrooms
The top of this dish has a solid crust that gives way to an ooey gooey inside brimming with broccoli and mushrooms. The recipe calls for an abundance of cheese that makes it even tastier.
You can also make panko mac and cheese using this recipe by adding Japanese breadcrumbs on top before baking.
Green Chile Mac and Cheese
Give your mac and cheese some serious kick with jalapenos and golden-baked panko-cilantro breadcrumbs sprinkled on top.
There’s even a dairy-free version if desired.
Prime Rib Mac and Cheese
American cheese, aged sharp white and yellow cheddar, along with Parmesan in the sauce along with a natural au jus from the roasting of the prime rib. Slow-cooked spit rib adds a rich and bold flavor to this dish.
.You can also use a smoked macaroni and cheese recipe for this version by using the same smoker but cooking the rib and the pasta separately.
French Onion Mac and Cheese
This mac and cheese dish tastes closely like French onion soup.
The recipe uses sweet Vidalia onions, beef stock, gruyere cheese, and elbow macaroni to make this mouthwatering dish.
Four Cheese Caprese Mac and Cheese
This colorful dish not only looks amazing but tastes incredible, too. With ingredients like Ritz crackers, sharp white cheddar cheese, Havarti cheese, Brie, homemade basil pesto, and heirloom tomatoes, how could it not?
Portobello, Spinach, and Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese
This recipe turns on the fancy with smoked gouda and portobello mushrooms.
It has a smokey, rich and cheesy taste with a healthy dash of spinach. Ain’t that a mac and cheese for a crowd?
Takeaway
Mac and cheese is simple but that doesn’t mean it can’t be elevated. From old fashion macaroni and cheese to gruyere mac and cheese, the possibilities are endless just as long as you remain creative. These mac and cheese dinner ideas are all sure to be winners at your house.
Source: Brit + Co, Forbes, Rachel Ray, Eat Well, Food Network, Half Baked Harvest, Breakfast Drama Queen, Spicy Southern Kitchen, Real Food by Dad, Hungry Couple NYC