12 Mac and Cheese Recipes We Can’t Wait to Make!

While the iconic blue box of cheesy pasta holds a special place in our hearts, nothing beats a serving of homemade macaroni and cheese, made with real cheese (or creative substitutes for the vegan versions) and love. We’ve gathered a buffet of mac and cheese recipes from local moms, dietitians, and chefs—including vegan, gluten-free, and allergy-friendly versions! So pick the one that suits your needs, and cook up a batch for a new spin on Thanksgiving side dishes that kids (and grown-ups alike) are sure to gobble up.
 

Vegan Mac and Cheese Recipes

Brooklyn Allergy Mom's Mac and Cheese

Brooklyn Allergy Mom's Mac and Cheese

Heidi Bayer, aka Brooklyn Allergy Mom, shares her allergy-friendly, vegan mac and cheese recipe.

 

Vegan Mac 'Un'Cheese

Vegan Mac 'Un' Cheese

Laura Cipullo, R.D., CDE, shares her vegan mac and cheese recipe.

 

Classic Mac and Cheese Recipes

Baked Mac and Cheese
Debra Ponzek, chef and author of The Dinnertime Survival Cookbook, shares her baked mac and cheese recipe. 

 

Cheese Drawer Mac and Cheese

Cheese Drawer Mac and Cheese

Maggy Keet, co-author of Three Many Cooks, share her use for all the cheese in the fridge.

 

Easy Homemade Mac N' Cheese
Jenny Rosenstratch, author of 'Dinnertime: The Playbook' and founder of dinneralovestory.com, shares her recipet for easy homemade mac and cheese. 
 
 

Vegetable Mac and Cheese Recipes

Avocado, Zucchini, and Green Bean Macaroni and Cheese

Avocado, Zucchini, and Green Beans Mac N' Cheese

Jennifer Gensterblum, head chef at Léman Manhattan Preparatory School, shares her recipe for Avocado, Zucchini, and Green Bean Macaroni and Cheese.

 

Firey Tomato-Basil Mac and Cheese

Firey Tomato-Basil Mac and Cheese

Food Network host George Duran shares his take on mac and cheese.

 

Mac and Cheese Muffins  

Mac N' Cheese Muffins

The Sneaky Chef Misty Chase Lapine shares her recipe for mac n' cheese muffins, perfect for packing in kids' lunch boxes. 

 
Roasted Tomato Mac N' Cheese
Kelsey Banfield, aka the naptime chef, shares her recipe for roasted tomato mac and cheese.
 

Mac and Cheese with Meat Recipes 

Baked Ham and Cheese Macaroni

Baked Ham and Cheese Macaroni

Ray Gruenfelder, founder of theguycornernyc.com, shares his recipe for baked ham mac and cheese.

 

Baked Macaroni and Cheese with Crumbled Bacon  

Bacon Mac n' Cheese

Long Islander Penelope Guzman shares her recipe for baked macroni and cheese with crumbled bacon. 

 

Bacon Macaroni and Cheese Bites 

Bacon Mac n' Cheese Bites

Kayla Mitchell, a Master Chef Junior contestant, shares her recipe for bacon mac and cheese bites.