28 Thanksgiving Mac and Cheese Recipes for Ultimate Comfort

28 Thanksgiving Mac and Cheese Recipes for Ultimate Comfort

Read Time: 13 mins

28 Thanksgiving Mac and Cheese Recipes for Ultimate Comfort1/28 Baked Mac and Cheese 37 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 45 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: 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 Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 688 calories, 37g fat (21g saturated fat), 103mg cholesterol, 839mg sodium, 63g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 3g fiber), 27g

I just love it for cooking and baking

protein. 2/28 Bacon Mac ‘N Cheese Cornbread Skillet 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Bacon Mac ‘N Cheese Cornbread Skillet Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 5 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: 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 Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 497 calories, 27g fat (13g saturated fat), 203mg cholesterol, 978mg sodium, 40g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 3g fiber), 23g protein. 3/28 Creamy Macaroni

It’s saucy, thick and very rich, with a wonderful cheddar flavor

and Cheese 107 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Creamy Macaroni and Cheese Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 55 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: 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 Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 653 calories, 46g fat (30g saturated fat), 143mg cholesterol, 1141mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 1g fiber), 25g protein. 4/28 Smoked Mac and Cheese 2 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Smoked Mac and Cheese

You can bake it in the oven, too

Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour Servings 2 casseroles (8 servings each) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: 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 Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 403 calories, 23g fat (13g saturated fat), 117mg cholesterol, 670mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 1g fiber), 18g protein. 5/28 Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese 7 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese Recipe photo by Taste

It’s also a great way to sneak in some veggies for children

of Home Total Time 55 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: 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 great way to sneak in some veggies for children. —Megan Schwartz, New York, New York Nutrition Facts: 1-1/4 cups: 422 calories, 13g fat (7g saturated fat), 36mg cholesterol, 750mg sodium, 60g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 12g fiber), 20g protein. 6/28 Mac and Cheese

Since it’s so little fuss and well received, it’s a terrific potluck dish

with Cream Cheese 95 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Company Mac and Cheese Recipe photo by Eric Kleinberg for Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: 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 Nutrition

One said pepper jack cheese and the other said black beans

Facts: 1 cup: 468 calories, 31g fat (18g saturated fat), 86mg cholesterol, 604mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 1g fiber), 15g protein. 7/28 Double Jack Mac 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Double Jack Mac Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 50 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: 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

this is the result. The black beans add color and nutrition. The pepper jack cheese adds zip and fun. —Andrea Johnson, Freeport, Illinois Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 837 calories, 41g fat (24g saturated fat), 123mg cholesterol, 1283mg sodium, 79g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 6g fiber), 37g protein. 8/28 Five-Cheese Rigatoni 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Five-Cheese Rigatoni Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 50 min Servings 9 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: 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

Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 362 calories, 14g fat (8g saturated fat), 40mg cholesterol, 586mg sodium, 42g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 18g protein. 9/28 Sicilian Mac and Cheese 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Sicilian Mac & Cheese Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 5 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: 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 Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 814 calories, 49g fat (25g saturated fat), 189mg

cholesterol, 1610mg sodium, 56g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 3g fiber), 37g protein. 10/28 11/28 Old-Fashioned Baked Macaroni and Cheese 19 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Old-Fashioned Macaroni and Cheese Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour Servings 16 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Bring back the taste of days gone by with this ooey-gooey classic. A little ground mustard and hot pepper sauce give this old-fashioned baked macaroni and cheese just the right spice. —James Backman, Centralia, Washington Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 267 calories, 17g fat (10g saturated fat), 48mg cholesterol, 425mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (3g

sugars, 1g fiber), 12g protein

sugars, 1g fiber), 12g protein. 12/28 Porcini Mac & Cheese 6 Reviews Contest Winner Porcini Mac & Cheese Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 5 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: 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 Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 723 calories, 33g fat (19g saturated fat), 97mg cholesterol, 968mg sodium, 74g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 4g fiber), 30g protein.

Best Ever Mac & Cheese 10 Reviews Best

13/28 Slow-Cooker Bacon Mac & Cheese 8 Reviews Slow-Cooker Bacon Mac & Cheese Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 3 hours 20 min Servings 18 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: 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 Nutrition Facts: 1/2 cup: 272 calories, 14g fat (8g saturated fat), 59mg cholesterol, 400mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 1g fiber), 13g protein. 14/28 Best Ever Mac & Cheese 10 Reviews Best Ever Mac & Cheese Recipe photo by

Taste of Home Total Time 50 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: 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 Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 762 calories, 43g fat (25g saturated fat), 134mg cholesterol, 1138mg sodium, 61g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 3g fiber), 32g protein. 15/28 Jalapeno Mac and Cheese 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Jalapeno Mac and Cheese Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total

Time 3 hours 25 min Servings 15 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator:

Time 3 hours 25 min Servings 15 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: 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 Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 428 calories, 27g fat (13g saturated fat), 53mg cholesterol, 654mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 14g protein. 16/28 Skillet Mac and Cheese 96 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved

This creamy mac and cheese is so simple it’s almost too easy!

Skillet Mac and Cheese Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This creamy mac and cheese is so simple it’s almost too easy! Kids really go for the rich cheese flavor, but I’ve never met an adult who didn’t love it just as much. —Ann Bowers, Rockport, Texas Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 600 calories, 37g fat (23g saturated fat), 144mg cholesterol, 1185mg sodium, 40g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 1g fiber), 23g protein. 17/28 Cheddar Spirals 21 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Cheddar Spirals Recipe photo by Taste of Home

💡 Frequently Asked Questions

Five-Cheese Rigatoni 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Five-Cheese Rigatoni Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 50 min Servings 9 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Who can resist cheesy pasta hot from the oven?

Answer coming soon. We are working on detailed responses to this common question.

⭐ Expert Tips

  • Include seasonal or trendy variations to keep your meals exciting.

  • Highlight prep shortcuts or time-saving techniques for busy cooks.

  • Consider dietary restrictions and include substitution suggestions.

✅ Key Takeaways

  • These dinner ideas are perfect for impressing guests or enjoying special occasions.

  • Choose recipes that match your skill level and available kitchen tools.

  • Presentation and taste both contribute to a memorable dining experience.

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