11 Mac and Cheese Recipes from Vegan to Tex-Mex (2024)

We’re not here to knock Kraft (or Annie’s for the fancy folks out there), but if you have a hankering for macaroni and cheese, why not think outside the box?

11 Mac and Cheese Recipes from Vegan to Tex-Mex (1)Share on Pinterest

It may not be as simple as just adding water, but going the made-from-scratch route is definitely worth the extra effort.

Take the dynamic duo of pasta and queso to delicious new heights with our favorite riffs on the legendary weeknight fave.

11 mac and cheese recipes that think outside the box

  1. Classic macaroni and cheese
  2. Tex-Mex macaroni and cheese
  3. Vegan macaroni and cheese
  4. Prosciutto-wrapped macaroni and cheese cups
  5. Macaroni and cheese soufflé
  6. Chicken Parmesan mac and cheese bites
  7. Spicy kimchi mac and cheese
  8. Pimento macaroni and cheese
  9. Beefy macaroni casserole
  10. Lobster mac and cheese
  11. Smoked macaroni and cheese

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1. Classic macaroni and cheese

The key here is a creamy bechamel. (It sounds gourmet, but it’s just a combination of milk, butter, flour, and salt.) Combined with elbow macaroni and a one-two punch of cheddar (preferably aged a couple of years) and pecorino, plus a sprinkle of crunchy panko for good measure, it’s the pinnacle of cheesy, noodle-y excellence.

Get our classic macaroni and cheese recipe.

2. Tex-Mex macaroni and cheese

This midnight munchie hybrid successfully straddles the border between nachos and mac and cheese. Pasta, tortilla chips, chorizo, jalapeños, Monterey jack, and cheddar are all invited to the ultimate comfort food fiesta.

Get our Tex-Mex macaroni and cheese recipe.

Just because you’re vegan doesn’t mean you can’t get in on cheesy comfort food — or, at least, cheese-esque comfort food. A blend of macadamia nuts, nutritional yeast, and a cooked carrot serve as a suitable cheese substitute in this animal-free offering.

Get the vegan macaroni and cheese recipe.

4. Prosciutto-wrapped macaroni and cheese cups

Your eyes don’t deceive you. That is, in fact, a hot, cheesy bite of pasta nestled in a bowl of crispy, cured pork. Break out that muffin pan and get baking!

Get our prosciutto-wrapped macaroni and cheese cups recipe.

5. Macaroni and cheese soufflé

No one likes a show-off… unless you’re flaunting this mega-delicious mac and cheese soufflé. Serving noodles and cheese soufflé-style turns run-of-the-mill grub into something extra refined. Think of it as the food equivalent of when Will Ferrell takes on a serious role.

Get our macaroni and cheese soufflé recipe.

6. Chicken Parmesan mac and cheese bites

Do you feel like chicken (Parm) tonight? But are the kids (or your own inner child) angling for some cheesy mac? Find tasty middle ground with these best-of-both-worlds bites.

Get our chicken Parmesan mac and cheese bites recipe.

7. Spicy kimchi mac and cheese

This recipe takes inspiration from kimchi jjigae (a spicy and tangy Korean stew) for a brilliant fusion of flavors. Of course, there’s pasta (preferably farfalle) and a creamy cheese sauce, but the secret weapon here is a spicy paste made with chopped anchovy fillets, bacon, kimchi, gochugaru, and gochujang.

Get our spicy kimchi mac and cheese recipe.

What are pimentos, anyway? They’re a mild red pepper sometimes called cherry peppers for their sweetness and small size. Believe it or not, the little red guys aren’t just for stuffing olives. They also make a piquant upgrade for mac and cheese.

Get the pimento macaroni and cheese recipe.

9. Beefy macaroni casserole

If your childhood was marred by mediocre Hamburger Helper and that creepy talking glove, this beefy casserole will help make things right. It’s a from-scratch treat that outdoes a boxed mix any day.

Get our beefy macaroni casserole recipe.

Elevate your mac and cheese by pairing it with sweet, succulent lobster meat. Take a bite, close your eyes, and you may hear seagulls and the rolling tide off in the distance.

Get the lobster mac and cheese recipe.

That smoker you thought you could only use for turkey or brisket? It’s a miracle worker for mac and cheese, too. This version gets extra flavor depth from smoked Gouda cheese and a buttery breadcrumb topping. Holy smokes!

Get the smoked macaroni and cheese recipe.

Related Video: Stop making these mac and cheese mistakes

There’s no shame in enjoying a store-bought box of mac and cheese (complete with marvel-of-food-science powdered cheese). But the right recipes turn this classic comfort food into something far more elegant — and, dare we say, more delicious.

11 Mac and Cheese Recipes from Vegan to Tex-Mex (2024)

FAQs

What is vegan mac and cheese made of? ›

The BEST vegan mac and cheese recipe! Sweet potatoes, potatoes, and cashews blend into a luscious, creamy sauce with a crave-worthy cheesy flavor.

Does vegan mac and cheese taste the same? ›

Vegan mac and cheese is essentially the same thing as regular mac and cheese, so… pasta with a cheese sauce, duh. BUT it isn't made with cheese. That being said, it still tastes like macaroni and cheese AKA the ultimate comfort food.

Can you freeze Ina Garten mac and cheese? ›

Ina's Famous Mac & Cheese

Upon arrival, store in the refrigerator or freezer. Mac & Cheese lasts up to 5 days in the refrigerator and up to 6 months in the freezer.

Does oat milk work for mac and cheese? ›

Oat milk is plant-based milk made from oats, and it has a very mild, slightly sweet flavor. However, it can be used as a substitute for cow's milk in mac and cheese. It has a creamy texture, so it can work perfectly in a creamy cheese sauce. Use it as a 1:1 ratio when substituting it for regular milk.

What the heck is vegan cheese? ›

Vegan cheeses are 100% animal-free and made using vegetable proteins. Usually, they're made from soy; nuts, such as cashews and macadamias; and vegetable oils, such as coconut oil. You can also find cheeses that derive from agar, tapioca, peas and arrowroot.

Does vegan cheese taste better melted? ›

There is also the affects that heating up the plant based cheeses will have on them as they are in the process of melting and their finished product. Some may bubble, others may struggle to melt and turn more in to a liquid state but the overall taste may be amazing.

What tastes like cheese vegan? ›

And there are also a number of ingredients that can be made to taste like cheese, too.
  • 5 dairy-free cheesy swaps. Reach for these five vegan ingredients the next time you want to cheese up your favorite foods. ...
  • 1 Nutritional yeast. ...
  • 2 Hummus. ...
  • 3 Tofu. ...
  • 4 Cashews. ...
  • 5 Potatoes.

Does Trader Joe's have vegan mac and cheese? ›

People Have Been Spotting Trader Joe's Vegan Mac & Cheese In Stores And It's A Total Game-Changer. Vegans, your time is now.

How does Gordon Ramsay make the best mac and cheese? ›

Gordon Ramsay's mac and cheese is a simplified recipe. Just boil pasta in milk and then, add butter, cheese, salt, and pepper to it. Merge all the elements and Gordon Ramsay's mac and cheese will be ready in no time.

Why is macaroni cheese not suitable for freezing? ›

Macaroni absorbs moisture from the sauce as it freezes and thaws, so the best recipes for freezing are those that start with a big pot of creamy, cheesy sauce. If using a baked mac and cheese recipe, freeze the prepared (unbaked) mac and cheese, then bake once thawed and ready to serve.

Why is evaporated milk better for mac and cheese? ›

Evaporated milk is a highly concentrated source of milk protein micelles—bundles of proteins that can act as powerful emulsifying agents—which help to keep the sauce creamy and smooth.

Can I use sour cream instead of milk for mac and cheese? ›

I think sour cream is a great substitute! However, it may change the flavor just slightly. For sour cream, mix it in just like I outlined in the cream cheese example, but with far less or no extra liquid. Sour cream is slightly sour (duh), so this may impact the final flavor a bit.

Can I use sour cream instead of milk? ›

In fact, you can substitute sour cream for milk almost anytime the recipe calls for less than a cup of milk. One of the most common ingredients to use milk with is potatoes. Spuds love dairy, so if a recipe calls for milk, sour cream almost always works in its place.

What is Mcdonald's vegan cheese made of? ›

Vegan Cheese in the McPlant Burger

The cheese is made with a main ingredient of coconut oil and tapioca starch, this is a common pairing of main ingredients you'll find in mass produced vegan cheeses around the world.

How is vegan cheese made? ›

Vegan cheese is made using a similar process, but it starts with plant-based milk, like soy or nut milk. A bacterial culture is added to separate the proteins in the milk, and it's often supplemented with oils, emulsifiers, and thickeners, like tapioca, pea flour, arrowroot, or agar, to achieve a cheese-like texture.

What is veggie mac and cheese made of? ›

What is veggie mac and cheese made of? This simple dish is made with cooked pasta, and a cheesy sauce blended with steamed veggies, sharp cheddar cheese, milk, butter, a bit of flour, and spices.

What is vegan butter made of? ›

Vegan butter is a non-dairy butter substitute made from plant-based ingredients. It is typically made from a blend of vegetable oils such as coconut, palm, or soybean and other natural ingredients such as nuts, seeds, and even algae. This makes it a great alternative for those who: Follow a vegan diet.

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