30 Mac and Cheese Recipes Perfect for Thanksgiving

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

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

Creamy Macaroni and Cheese

The best-ever creamy mac and cheese recipe that will transport your tastebuds back to your childhood.

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

Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese

Don't tell anyone, but this butternut squash mac and cheese recipe has a secret. It incorporates a nutritious vegetable and cuts out the butter, but it's still so rich!

Mac and Cheese with Cream Cheese

Yes, it's a recipe for mac and cheese with cream cheese. And regular cheese. And it's a dish that you're going to make again and again, soon with your own favorite variations.

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

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

Sicilian Mac & Cheese

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

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

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

Homey Mac & Cheese

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

Porcini Mac & Cheese

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

Slow-Cooker Bacon Mac & Cheese

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

Best Ever Mac & Cheese

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

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

Skillet Mac and Cheese

This skillet mac and cheese takes a few more minutes than the boxed stuff, but we promise the final result is worth it. A thick and creamy cheese sauce is stirred together with perfectly cooked pasta, then topped with whatever you like.

Triple Cheese Twists

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

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

Mini Mac & Cheese Bites

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

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

Veggie Mac and Cheese

Take a decadent family fave, add in a variety of vegetables, and you've got a dinner worth being excited about: veggie mac and cheese.

White Cheddar Mac and Cheese

Here's a recipe for white cheddar mac and cheese that's better than any box. The secret: a dash of garlic powder and chipotle powder for a savory kick.

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

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

Bistro Mac & Cheese

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

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

Broccoli Mac and Cheese

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with our broccoli mac and cheese, a delicious blend where gooey, melted cheddar meets tender broccoli, finished off with an irresistibly crunchy cracker topping.

Saucy Mac & Cheese

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