Top 8 Ways to Jazz Up a Box of Mac and Cheese

Updated: Feb. 13, 2024

On busy weeknights, let a box of macaroni and cheese come to the rescue! Gobble it up as is, or turn it into a casserole, skillet dinner or even fun little sliders.

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Cheeseburger Skillet Dinner

This skillet dinner is doubly quick. The leftovers-if there are any-can be reheated to make a second meal as tasty as the first. —Karen Grimes, Stephens City, Virginia

Craving comfort food in a hurry? Grab a box! We snagged seven to find the best boxed mac and cheese.

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Cajun Mac and Cheese

When I follow my favorite meat loaf recipe, I end up with an extra half-pound of ground beef. So I came up with this easy Cajun mac and cheese dish to use it up.—June Ellis, Erie, Illinois
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Pizza Macaroni Bake

What do you get when you combine macaroni and cheese with pizza fixings? This hearty, family-pleasing casserole! It's so easy and so tasty. —Nancy Porterfield, Gap Mills, West Virginia
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Buffalo Macaroni and Cheese Bites

In this vegetarian Buffalo-style appetizer, macaroni and cheese get heated up with Louisiana-style hot sauce, then breaded and baked. These tasty nibbles are served with blue cheese dressing. —Ann Donnay, Milton, Massachusetts
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Mini Mac & Cheese Dogs

We wanted to get creative with hot dogs, so we made a mac-and-cheesy one. Pile on the extra cheese, relish and even bacon. —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland
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Mexi-Mac Casserole

I typically have most of the ingredients for this dish in my pantry. Green chiles give it a little bite, but it’s easy to swap in a can of spicier tomatoes to turn up the heat. —Jan Conklin, Stevensville, Montana
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Chili Mac & Cheese

This Mexican/southwestern casserole of comfort food is high on taste and low on the scale of difficulty—a delicious combination. —Mary Aguilar, Shelby, Ohio
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Hearty Mac & Cheese

“Whether a cold winter night or rainy summer day, this is quick-and-easy comfort food at its very best!” And a great way to jazz up boxed macaroni mix. —Carol Wohlgemuth, Riding Mountain, Manitoba