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Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
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Updated on 05/17/20
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Macaroni and cheeseispossibly the quintessential comfort food. Toddlers love it, kids love it, and adults of all ages love it. Like all comfort food, mac and cheeseismade in a variety of ways that are often passed down in families. Plus it lends itself to doctoring up. Check out these recipes for good eating.
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Easy Mac and Cheese in the Crockpot
This is a basic recipe for easy mac and cheese in the crockpot. You can start it up, go to work or on errands and come home to a welcoming dinner.
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Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
This incredibly creamy Instant Pot macaroni and cheese recipe is surprisingly fast and easy to prepare. Aside from needing very little attention, there are no boil-over messes to worry about, no separate sauce to make, and no baking required.
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Easy and Quick Mac and Cheese
This super easy and quick mac and cheese recipe is great for a weeknight. You don't make a sauce, and the entire thing will be ready in about a half an hour -- just long enough to steam some broccoli or green beans, set the table and crack open some wine.
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Easy Gnocchi Mac and Cheese
Convenience is coupled with homemade flavor in this easy gnocchi mac and cheese recipe. The from-scratch potato dumplings (gnocchi) take the place of macaroni but the cheese sauce comes from a package of store-bought mac and cheese.
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Creamy Macaroni and Cheese
Cottage cheese and sour cream really shows its stuff in this recipe where it teams with cheddar for this creamy macaroni and cheese.
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Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese
Buffalo chicken wings meet mac and cheese in this spicy recipe. The chicken is cooked a spicy sauce, and the cheese sauce includes hot sauce and pepper jack. Both are combined with macaroni, then it's all baked to perfection.
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Jalapeño Macaroni and Cheese
Boursin cheese with garlic and herbs or roasted red peppers plus jalapeños really turn up the heat in this Jalapeño macaroni and cheeses recipe. Adjust the amount of jalapeños you use according to your taste or used mild green chilies instead. With mac and cheese on the hot side, choose a cool side like a green salad or cold sliced tomatoes if they're in season.
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Uncomplicated Macaroni and Cheese Casserole
This uncomplicated macaroni and cheese casserole is held together with a mixtureof eggs, milk, and cheese -- there's no sauce to make. It takes only about a half an hour to bake, and it all adds up to a quick mac and cheese fix.
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Macaroni and Cheese With Bacon
Cooked crumbled bacon and green onions take this macaroni and cheese with bacon recipe to a new level. The green onions go into the cheese sauce, and the bacon is sprinkled over the casserole before the butteredbreadcrumb topping is added. If you prefer the bacon throughout, mix the bacon into the cheese sauce and macaroni before you put the mix into the casserole dish.
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Macaroni and Cheese With Paprika
This easy and basic macaroni and cheese with paprika recipe is jazzed up with the addition of paprika and an abundance of cheddar cheese, including for the topping instead of breadcrumbs.
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Bacon Cheeseburger Macaroni
This super quick bacon cheeseburger macaroni skillet dish is a made-from-scratch version of boxed mixes -- and so much better. Ground beef and crispy bacon make this mac and cheese a hearty meal. The recipe calls for cheese soup, but you can substitute shredded cheddar or American cheese and a little milk if you prefer to avoid canned ingredients.
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Air Fryer Mac and Cheese Balls
Air fryermacaroni and cheese balls are crispy on the outside, creamy on the inside, and so good, you won’t believe they’re not deep-fried.The key to this recipe is making the macaroni and cheese ahead of time, so it comes together in a pinch. A thicker cheese sauce helps the balls keep their shape and bind for optimal air frying.
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Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
If you're part of the keto or gluten-free eating club, then this cauliflower mac and cheese is here for you. Satisfy that cheesy, comfort food craving in no time with less than 10 ingredients and little prep. Roasted cauliflower combines with three cheeses and a kick of Dijon mustard to make a dish every palate will enjoy.