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12 Mac and Cheese Recipes for Every Personality

From crusty and baked, to saucy and creamy.
A bowl of Miso macaroni and cheese from Supperland restaurant in Charlotte NC
Miso Macaroni and CheesePhotograph Guang Xu

While boxed mac and cheese has its rightful, nostalgic place in our hearts, there’s no denying the comfort, coziness, and satisfaction of homemade macaroni and cheese. And strong opinions abound: Roux or no roux? Baked or stovetop? Crispy-crunchy topping or just smooth-creamy sauce? Whether you’re looking for the side dish that will steal the spotlight at your Thanksgiving table, or a one-pot mac and cheese for a weeknight, there’s a winning recipe for you on this list.

  • Baking dish of mac and cheese with crispy panko topping with one serving scooped out.
    Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Pearl Jones, Prop Styling by Dayna Seman
    1/12

    BA’s Best Mac and Cheese

    This homemade mac and cheese is our Platonic ideal: It is deeply cheesy and creamy and has a crunchy crust. Plus, it doubles easily for a crowd.

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  • A bowl of Miso macaroni and cheese from Supperland restaurant in Charlotte NC
    Photograph Guang Xu
    2/12

    Miso Macaroni and Cheese

    This foolproof stovetop mac and cheese levels up with the inclusion of miso paste for a silky sauce that is bursting with umami-rich cheesiness.

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  • Image may contain Food Pasta and Macaroni
    Photo by Heidi's Bridge, styling by Anna Billingskog
    3/12

    Stovetop Mac and Cheese

    Muenster and Fontina are pretty soft cheeses and can be difficult to grate, so just stick both in the freezer 10 minutes to let them firm up before starting.

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  • OnePot Kimchi and Squash Mac and Cheese recipe
    Photo and Food Styling by Emma Fishman
    4/12

    One-Pot Kimchi and Squash Mac and Cheese

    This is a “necessity is the mother of invention” kind of recipe, born from isolation, scant ingredients, an oversupply of kimchi, and sheer hunger. Yet this unconventional one-pot approach also happens to be one of the simplest ways to prepare mac and cheese. 

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  • Image may contain Food Pasta and Tortellini
    Photo by Chelsea Kyle
    5/12

    Adult Mac and Cheese

    Our creamy stovetop mac and cheese is about as easy as opening a box—and a whooooole lot more delicious.

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  • Cacio e pepe pasta on a white plate placed on a wooden surface
    Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Sean Dooley
    6/12

    Cacio e Pepe

    Here us out—what is mac and cheese if not a saucy, savory combo of pasta and cheese? Fulfill that craving with just five ingredients.

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Joe joined the Bon Appétit team in 2022 after climbing the editorial ranks for a few years at Condé Nast’s other food publication, Epicurious. As the senior SEO editor, he works to make sure Google loves all of BA’s cooking stories just as much as you do. Look for his ... Read More
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