There isn't a pantry staple more versatile than a box of elbow macaroni for meals that are easy, filling and budget-friendly.
71 Ways to Cook Elbow Macaroni
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Pasta Fagioli Soup
My husband enjoys my version of this dish so much that he doesn’t order it at restaurants anymore. With fresh spinach, pasta and seasoned sausage, this fast-to-fix soup is a meal on its own. —Brenda Thomas, Springfield, Missouri
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Skillet Mac and Cheese
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
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Macaroni Coleslaw
My friend Peggy brought this coleslaw to one of our picnics, and everyone liked it so much, we all had to have the recipe. —Sandra Matteson, Westhope, North Dakota
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Chili Mac
This chili mac has regularly appeared on my family menus for more than 40 years, and it's never failed to please at potlucks and bring-a-dish gatherings. Sometimes I turn it into soup by adding a can of beef broth. —Marie Posavec, Berwyn, Illinois
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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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Hoosier Chili
This chili is a little sweeter than other recipes I’ve tasted, but I like it that way. It reminds me of the chili my mom used to make. —Jeanne Boberg, Muncie, Indiana
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Chicken and Sausage Stew
I enjoy cooking for family and friends, but I don't want to break the bank. That's why I frequently rely on delicious one-pot meals like this.—Ernest Foster, Climax, New York
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Macaroni and Cheese with Chicken
Prep once and feed the family twice with this comforting, hearty macaroni and cheese with chicken. Pro tip: Double the recipe and freeze half for another time.
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Confetti Macaroni Salad
The bits of bright red and green in this easy macaroni salad remind me of fun confetti. The inspiration for the dish came from a recipe I found in a church cookbook when I was a young writer responsible for a newspaper’s food section. —Renee Page, Rochelle, Illinois. If you like this, learn how to make Mexican macaroni salad.
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Chili Mac Casserole
This cheesy casserole uses several of my family's favorite ingredients, including macaroni, kidney beans, tomatoes and cheese. Just add a leafy salad for a complete meal. —Marlene Wilson, Rolla, North Dakota
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Mac ‘N’ Cheese Soup
“I found this recipe a few years ago and made a few changes to suit our tastes,” says Nancy Daugherty of Cortland, Ohio. “We love this creamy soup. Because it starts with a package of macaroni and cheese, it’s ready in a jiffy.”
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Sweet Macaroni Salad
A sweet out-of-the-ordinary dressing makes this macaroni salad special. My aunt gave me the recipe and it has become one of my favorites. I occasionally leave out the green pepper if I know that people don't like it, and it still tastes great. —Idalee Scholz, Cocoa Beach, Florida
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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
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De-Lightful Tuna Casserole
This mild, homemade tuna casserole will truly satisfy your family's craving for comfort food without all the fat! —Colleen Willey, Hamburg, New York
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Vegan Macaroni Salad
All the classic flavors come through in this vegan macaroni salad, from the pickle relish to the ground mustard. The only thing you’ll be missing is leftovers! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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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
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Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
I had to figure out how to make Hawaiian macaroni salad at home because my husband was getting tired of ordering enough for our whole family from a local restaurant. Sometimes I use green onions and serve the salad with a drizzle of teriyaki sauce and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. —Blaine Kahle, Florence, Oregon
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Bacon Mac ‘N Cheese Cornbread Skillet
My cast-iron skillet is a workhorse in my kitchen. I just love it for cooking and baking. And this cast-iron mac and cheese recipe can be served as a main dish or as a smaller-portion side. —Lisa Keys, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania
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Skillet Tacos
This fast and healthy alternative to traditional tacos has a delicious southwestern flair. The fact that is comes together in just 30 minutes makes it even more irresistible. —Maria Gobel, Greenfield, Wisconsin
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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
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Bacon Macaroni Salad
This pleasing pasta salad is like eating a BLT in a bowl. Filled with crispy bacon, chopped tomato, celery and green onion, the sensational salad is coated with a tangy mayonnaise and vinegar dressing. It’s a real crowd-pleaser! —Norene Wright, Manilla, Indiana
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Country Bacon-Beef Mac and Cheese
This extra-meaty mac and cheese is easy to make in the slow cooker. Kids love it, and I like that I can sneak in some veggies. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada
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Minestrone with Turkey
I remember my mom making this soup; now I make it for my kids as often as I can. It's a good way to use up leftover vegetables. Sometimes I add a can of rinsed and drained kidney or garbanzo beans. —Angela Goodman, Kaneohe, Hawaii
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Cashew Chicken Casserole
I especially like this dish because I can get it ready the day before I need it. It's easy to whip up with common pantry items, including macaroni, canned soup and saltine crackers. —Julie Ridlon, Solway, Minnesota
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Southwestern Casserole
I’ve been making this mild family-pleasing southwest casserole for years. It tastes wonderful and fits nicely into our budget. Best of all, the recipe makes a second casserole to freeze and enjoy later. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
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Sicilian Mac & Cheese
To give our 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
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Dinner in a Bag
I get a head start on this family-pleasing dinner by assembling ready-to-grab pantry kits. I measure dry macaroni and the spice mixture into separate containers, storing them in a paper bag with canned tomatoes. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon
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Minestrone Soup
This minestrone soup recipe is packed with vegetables, pasta and beans in a bright tomatoey broth. It ticks all the boxes: It's hearty, incredibly comforting and a breeze to make!
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Easy Macaroni Salad
Pass it at a potluck, unwrap it at a picnic or bust it out at a barbecue; this easy macaroni salad is perfect as a side for the summer grilling season.
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Mac and Cheese Bites
Our mac and cheese bites are everything you love about your favorite mac and cheese recipe in a hand-held, bite-sized appetizer.
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Philly-Style Mac and Cheese
My son loves macaroni and cheese, and I’m always looking for ways to sneak in some veggies. This version is a huge hit! —Jennifer Berry, Lexington, Ohio
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Skillet Beef and Macaroni
I found this simple skillet recipe many years ago on a can label. I made some tweaks, and my family loved it. Because it’s so easy to put together, it’s a real timesaver for people with super busy schedules. —Maxine Neuhauser, Arcadia, California
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Cashew Chicken Casserole
I especially like this dish because I can get it ready the day before I need it. It’s easy to whip up with common pantry items, including macaroni, canned soup and saltine crackers. —Julie Ridlon, Solway, Minnesota
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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
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Spinach Beef Macaroni Bake
This hearty casserole is great for a family reunion or church supper. I've also made half the recipe for family gatherings. It's become a special favorite of my grandson-in-law and great-grandson, who often ask me to serve it when they're visiting. —Lois Lauppe, Lahoma, Oklahoma
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Southwestern Goulash
I had some extra cilantro in the fridge and didn't want to throw it away. Instead, I came up with this delightful and filling family recipe. Everyone just loved it! —Vikki Rebholz, West Chester, Ohio
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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.
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Quick Chili Mac
This combines chili with one of my favorite pasta dishes. I often serve it for company or potlucks and occasionally add taco seasoning or use beanless chili and add black beans. —Lee Steinmetz, Lansing, Michigan
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Pulled Pork Parfait
I tried a version of this meaty parfait at Miller Park, home of my favorite baseball team, the Brewers. I take it up a notch by layering in corn and creamy mac and cheese, so it truly is a full barbecue meal you can take on the go. —Rachel Seis, Senior Editor, Taste of Home Magazine
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Easy Slow-Cooker Mac & Cheese
My sons always say I'm the best mom in the world when I make this creamy mac-and-cheese perfection. Does it get any better than that? —Heidi Fleek, Hamburg, Pennsylvania
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Creamy Macaroni Salad
This creamy macaroni salad recipe is a classic cold noodle dish with oodles of crowd appeal. It features tender macaroni and crisp, colorful veggies tossed with an ultra-creamy, sweet-and-tangy dressing.
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Italian Three-Cheese Macaroni
Your dream Italian vacation meets the ultimate comfort food in this Italian mac and cheese that's creamy and indulgent.
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Baked Mac and Cheese
With its rich cheese sauce and crunchy crumb topping, this has to be the best baked mac and cheese recipe out there. Serve it as a comforting weeknight dinner or a holiday side dish.
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Slow-Cooked Minestrone Soup
When this colorful minestrone has about 30 minutes left to cook, I add the macaroni. Then there's time to make some garlic bread and a simple salad. —Kara de la Vega, Santa Rosa, California
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Mexi-Mac Skillet
This is the yummiest, quickest recipe I have. There’s no need to precook the macaroni. Everything comes together in one smart skillet. —Maurane Ramsey, Fort Wayne, Indiana
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BLT Macaroni Salad
Our BLT pasta salad will get everyone's attention at your next cookout or backyard barbecue. It brings the classic combination of lettuce, tomato and especially bacon to this still-easy side dish.
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Judy's Macaroni Salad
After finding this vintage macaroni salad recipe years ago, I tweaked the flavor and bumped up the pickles. Tuck this dill pickle pasta salad inside your picnic basket. —Elizabeth Kirchgatter, Maysville, Kentucky
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Bean Counter Chowder
This hearty chowder is one of our favorite vegetarian dishes. Loaded with beans, noodles and bright herbs, it's so comforting on a chilly day. —Vivian Haen, Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin
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Spicy Goulash
Ground cumin, chili powder and a can of Mexican diced tomatoes jazz up my goulash recipe. Even the elbow macaroni is prepared in the slow cooker. —Melissa Polk, West Lafayette, Indiana
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Makeover Slow-Cooked Mac ‘n’ Cheese
This recipe 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
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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 dish. Today, the memory of her cooking is like food for my soul. —Phyllis Burkland, Portland, Oregon
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Makeover Creamy Macaroni and Cheese
With its creamy consistency and two different cheeses, this entree captures the essence of comfort food. But here's the kicker: it's been slimmed down for you so you can enjoy it without over indulging. —Darcie Zerniak, Ontario, New York
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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
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Quick Macaroni Salad
You can’t go wrong with this time-tested winner. Here it is pared down for two.—Carma Blosser, Livermore, Colorado
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Meatless Chili Mac
I came across this recipe in a newspaper years ago and it’s been a hit at our house ever since. It’s fast and flavorful, and it appeals to all ages. — Cindy Ragan, North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania
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Asparagus Tuna Noodle Casserole
I updated a traditional tuna casserole using fresh asparagus and asparagus soup. This is so different and so delicious. Use frozen asparagus when fresh is not in season. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada
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Best Ever Mac & Cheese
To make this amazing mac, 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
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Bacon Macaroni Salad
This pleasing pasta salad is like eating a BLT in a bowl. Filled with crispy bacon, chopped tomato, celery and green onion, the sensational salad is coated with a tangy mayonnaise and vinegar dressing. It’s a real crowd-pleaser! —Norene Wright, Manilla, Indiana
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Over-the-Top Mac ‘n’ Cheese
This delicious dish is the ultimate comfort food. A blend of five cheeses, it makes a beautiful entree or a special side. I served it at our Thanksgiving dinner, and it received rave reviews. —Connie L McDowell, Greenwood, Delaware. If you’re looking for more, then check out our collection of mac and cheese Thanksgiving recipes.
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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.
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Beefy Noodle Casserole
When life calls for a dish for a potluck or family event, we stir up a batch of beef and noodles. That’s our cheesy, bubbly comfort food. —Susan Lavery, McKinney, TX
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Crockpot Mac and Cheese
This Crockpot mac and cheese recipe is the perfect no-fuss recipe for busy weeknights, potlucks and holiday gatherings. It contains a few secret ingredients to make an effortless cheese sauce that's incredibly rich and creamy.
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Chicken Florentine Casserole
Creamy and comforting, this chicken and spinach bake is sure to be a hit at dinnertime. The toasty bread crumb topping delivers a bit of a crunch. —Dori Jackson, Gulf Breeze, Florida
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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
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Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese
When I was a girl, Mama used Texas longhorn cheese in this recipe. 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
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Macaroni and Cheese Soup
I have worked in the food service industry for too many years to count and have made this one-of-a-kind soup at many different jobs. It's always been a big hit. —Emma Head, Sunrise Beach, Missouri
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Salami & Provolone Pasta Salad
Everyone needs a perfect pasta salad that’s easy to make, especially on busy nights when your family wants a dish that’s fast, light and cool. This is just the thing. —Jill Donley, Warsaw, Indiana
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Makeover Creamy Mac & Cheese
Macaroni and cheese just may be king of the comfort foods. This sensational version is bubbling with creamy goodness—but is lighter on calories. —April Taylor, Holcomb, Kansas
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Turkey Chili with Pasta
Some may call it witches’ stew, but we think this hearty chili is the ultimate comfort food. It’s a perfect warmer on chilly autumn nights. —Pat Schmeling, Germantown, Wisconsin
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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
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