31 Mac and Cheese Recipes Perfect for Thanksgiving (2024)

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Updated: Jan. 05, 2024

Whether you're hosting this year's meal or plan to be a guest, these mac and cheese Thanksgiving recipes will be a hit with everyone at the table.

1/29

Baked Mac and Cheese

Even people who have had their own Thanksgiving mac and cheese recipe for years ask for mine when they taste this crumb-topped version. For the best baked mac and cheese, use extra-sharp white cheddar cheese for more flavor. —Shelby Thompson of Dover, Delaware

2/29

Bacon Mac ‘N Cheese Cornbread Skillet

My cast-iron skillet is a workhorse in my kitchen. I just love it for cooking and baking. This mac and cheese recipe makes for a perfect smaller-portion side. —Lisa Keys, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania

3/29

Creamy Macaroni and Cheese

This is the ultimate creamy mac and cheese. It's saucy, thick and very rich, with a wonderful cheddar flavor. Once you taste it, you'll be hooked. —Cindy Hartley, Chesapeake, Virginia

4/29

Smoked Mac and Cheese

I found this smoked Thanksgiving mac and cheese recipe, and I kept working with the ingredients until I discovered the perfect combination. You can bake it in the oven, too. —Stacey Dull, Gettysburg, Ohio

5/29

Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese

I created this dish after my father had triple bypass surgery. He loves comfort food, and I wanted him to be able to enjoy a rich and tasty dish like mac & cheese without all the fat and butter. It's also a smart way to sneak in some veggies for children. —Megan Schwartz, New York, New York

6/29

Company Mac and Cheese

This is by far the creamiest, tastiest and most special macaroni and cheese I have ever tried. I'm not usually a fan of the homemade kind, but when a friend served this mac and cheese with cream cheese, I had to have the recipe. Since it's so little fuss and well received, it's a terrific potluck dish. —Catherine Odgen, Middlegrove, New York

7/29

Double Jack Mac

This spicy mac and cheese recipe came about when I asked my two sisters what they would like to add to mac and cheese to make it special. One said pepper jack cheese and the other said black beans. I liked both of the ideas and this is the result. The black beans add color and nutrition. The pepper jack cheese adds zip and fun. —Andrea Johnson, Freeport, Illinois

8/29

Five-Cheese Rigatoni

Who can resist cheesy pasta hot from the oven? This ooey-gooey rigatoni mac and cheese boasts a homemade white sauce. —Shirley Foltz, Dexter, Kansas

9/29

To give our Thanksgiving mac and cheese a Sicilian touch, we mix sausage, basil and fennel with three cheeses for an incredibly comforting casserole. —Michael Cohen, Los Angeles, California

10/29

Crumb-Topped Macaroni and Cheese

Everyone loves this grown-up macaroni and cheese. It's also tasty with sharp cheddar and cream cheese instead of Gruyere and mascarpone. Throw in some crispy bacon for a twist. —Jennifer Standing, Taos, New Mexico

11/29

My Mother’s Mac and Cheese

I remember my mother sending me to the store for 15 cents worth of cheese. The butcher would cut off a slice from a gigantic wheel covered with a wax-coated cloth. Mother would then blend that cheese into this tasty Thanksgiving mac and cheese. Today, the memory of her cooking is like food for my soul. —Phyllis Burkland, Portland, Oregon

12/29

I also call this "my grandson's mac and cheese." Zachary has been to Iraq and Afghanistan with both the Marines and Navy, and I've been privileged to make his favorite casserole for him for over 20 years. —Alice Beardsell, Osprey, Florida

13/29

This recipe was inspired by a mushroom mac and cheese I had at a local restaurant. I incorporated the fall flavor of a pumpkin ale, and it turned out better than the original. —Laura Davis, Chincoteague, Virginia

14/29

I’m all about easy slow-cooker meals. Using more cheese than ever, I developed an addictive spin on this casserole favorite. —Kristen Heigl, Staten Island, New York

15/29

To make this amazing Thanksgiving mac and cheese, I make a sauce loaded with three different cheeses to toss with the noodles. When baked, it’s gooey goodness with a crunchy topping that…don’t get me started! —Beth Jacobson, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

16/29

Jalapeno Mac and Cheese

Many years ago after I had had knee surgery, a friend brought me a big casserole of mac and cheese along with the recipe. I have fiddled with the recipe over the years, most recently adding jalapenos at the request of my son. What an awesome spicy twist! —Teresa Gustafson, Elkton, Maryland

17/29

This creamy mac ’n’ cheese is so simple it’s almost too easy! —Ann Bowers, Rockport, Texas

18/29

Triple Cheese Twists

Our stovetop Thanksgiving macaroni and cheese is extra special, thanks to the buttery crumb topping. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

19/29

Mom's Macaroni and Cheese

The wonderful homemade goodness of this creamy Velveeta mac and cheese makes it a staple side dish in my mother's kitchen and in mine as well. It has tender noodles and a crowd-pleasing golden crumb topping. —Maria Costello, Monroe, North Carolina

20/29

Young relatives were coming for a holiday party, so I wanted something fun for them to eat. To my surprise, it was the adults who devoured these mini Thanksgiving mac and cheese bites. —Kate Mainiero, Elizaville, New York

21/29

Buttermilk Mac 'n' Cheese

Once you taste this version of an all-time favorite comfort food, you may never make the regular kind again. It's my most-requested recipe. —Donna Fancher, Lawrence, Indiana

22/29

This creamy mac and cheese definitely doesn't come from a box! Fresh veggies add crunch and color and will leave everyone asking for seconds. —Marsha Morril, Harrisburg, Oregon

23/29

My mac and cheese is simple and has lots of flavor from the cheeses and ground chipotle chile. I use conchiglie pasta because its shape allows more melted cheese to pool inside. Yum! —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia

24/29

Makeover Slow-Cooked Mac ‘n’ Cheese

This Thanksgiving mac and cheese is a clear example of comfort food at its finest; it’s rich, hearty and extra cheesy. And because it’s made in the slow cooker, it’s also extremely easy. —Shelby Molina, Whitewater, Wisconsin

25/29

Potluck Macaroni and Cheese

You'll always have a winner at the potluck when you bring macaroni and cheese. Here's an extra-rich, creamy version for the slow cooker. —Jennifer Blondek, Chicopee, Massachusetts

26/29

I like to serve this mac & cheese with a salad and crusty bread. It's a satisfying meal that feels upscale, but will fit just about any budget. And because the Gorgonzola is so mild in this dish, even the kiddos will go for it. —Charlotte Giltner, Mesa, Arizona

27/29

Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese

When I was a girl, Mama used Texas longhorn cheese in this Thanksgiving mac and cheese. After it melted all over the macaroni, I loved to dig in and see how many strings of cheese would follow my spoonful. —Imogene Hutton, Brownwood, Texas

28/29

My husband made a version of this casserole for me on our first date. Over the 11 years we’ve been married, we’ve made several changes to the ingredients and now it’s even better than the original. —Lisa DeMarsh, Mount Solon, Virginia

29/29

I love the curly noodles in this creamy recipe. Cavatappi, also sold under the name cellentani, is a corkscrew pasta, but any type of spiral pasta will work. This dish is fun to make and looks so pretty topped with extra cheese and crunchy, golden crumbs. I like to add ground pepper to my serving. —Sara Martin, Brookfield, Wisconsin

Originally Published: November 21, 2022