Mac and Cheese Bar

Hosting a mac and cheese bar is all about making comfort food that is both interactive and customizable. Our mac and cheese bar ideas will please even the highest-maintenance guests (and pickiest kids)! Everyone loves participating in a creative choose-your-own-adventure, especially when it means creamy, cheesy goodness and a custom spread of gourmet toppings.

Start with the best, creamiest mac and cheese, and then build a buffet of fabulous toppings! Load it up with proteins like grilled chicken and steak, veggies like broccoli and asparagus. And don’t forget the crunch factor with toasted bread crumbs. You can put the mac and cheese bar together on the fly or plan it out in advance for any gathering, from backyard barbecues to game-day parties and holiday soirees. Either way, you can relax and enjoy as everyone gets exactly what they want.

Mac and Cheese Bar Toppings and Ingredients

Josh Rink for Taste of Home

• Mac and cheese: Although it’s merely a vehicle for all the fantastic toppings, a great mac and cheese is essential to the mac and cheese bar. Our mac and cheese is a classic made with cooked elbow macaroni, butter, flour, whole milk, salt, pepper, garlic powder, ground mustard and a pinch of nutmeg. And don’t forget the cheese: Cheddar, Gruyere and Parmesan all bring flavor and texture to the table.
• Proteins: Set out proteins like sliced grilled chicken breast, grilled steak, lobster, and cooked and crumbled bacon so everyone can make their mac and cheese a full meal. Use rotisserie chicken or leftover steak, and cook lobster tails or bake the bacon a day in advance.
• Vegetables: Steamed vegetables like broccoli and asparagus add pops of green (and some nutrition) to every bowl of mac and cheese. Mushrooms create a rich umami flavor and a hearty texture without adding meat. Saute your mushrooms with some garlic for a lovely contrast with the creamy pasta.
• Onions: Caramelized onions bring sweet and savory together for the ideal bite. Green onions bring a fresh sharpness that cuts through the heaviness of the cheese sauce.
• Herbs: Fresh, chopped dill and parsley make mac and cheese sing. Other herbs to consider are fresh chives, basil or thyme.
• Extra cheeses: Adding some extra shreds to your mac and cheese bar toppings ensures everyone gets the flavors they enjoy most. Set out bowls of shredded cheddar cheese, grated Parmesan cheese and crumbled blue cheese for extra cheesiness.
• Sauces: Add different hot sauces to the table so people can choose their heat level. A drizzle of store-bought or homemade ranch brings even more flavor. The combination of heat and vinegar in Buffalo sauce makes the mac and cheese taste even more indulgent, giving you a perfect spicy-creamy combo that’s hard to resist.
• Truffle butter: Truffle’s earthy flavor enhances the cheesy richness and makes every bite feel extra decadent. Find truffle butter at your local gourmet grocer.
• Toasted bread crumbs: Do not skimp on the toasted bread crumbs! They are a must for adding that crunchy texture that everyone loves.

Directions for Mac and Cheese

Step 1: Cook the macaroni

Cook the macaroni according to the package directions, then drain and set aside.

Step 2: Make the cheese sauce

In a large stockpot, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour, stirring constantly until lightly browned. Slowly whisk in the milk and bring it to a simmer. Cook until thickened, three to four minutes.

Step 3: Season the sauce and add the cheese

Stir in the salt, pepper, garlic powder, mustard and nutmeg. Then, stir in the shredded cheddar, Gruyere and Parmesan until melted and creamy.

Step 4: Combine the pasta with the sauce and serve

Stir the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce until well-coated. Transfer the mac and cheese to a slow cooker to keep warm. Serve in bowls with mac and cheese bar toppings.

How to Assemble the Mac and Cheese Bar

Josh Rink for Taste of Home

Set up your mac and cheese bar ideas buffet-style. Serve the creamy, cheesy macaroni in a slow cooker or large dish to keep it warm. Surround it with bowls of your toppings—proteins, veggies, extra cheeses, sauces and crunchy add-ons. Let your guests go wild, mixing and matching their favorite combinations. You can dress your setup with vintage bowls filled with all of your accouterments. Or, keep it casual with compostable disposables. Some guest advice: Make your first serving smaller so you can return for a different topping combo!

Mac and Cheese Bar Variations

Josh Rink for Taste of Home

• Use store-bought mac and cheese: Listen, if you have a gang of hangry folks showing up unexpectedly, there is no shame in pulling a family-sized Stouffer’s mac and cheese out of the freezer or stirring up a couple of boxes of Kraft. Use whatever you have in the fridge for toppings and call it a party.
• Add different cheeses: Mac and cheese has no hard and fast cheese rules. White cheddar, Asiago and Gouda are great types of melting cheese, both to mix in and on the side. Crumbled feta is a nice topping twist too.
• Try extra proteins: In addition to chicken, steak and bacon, you can serve seasoned ground beef, turkey, shrimp or crabmeat.
• Vary the vegetables: There are so many veg options for mac and cheese, including kale, diced tomatoes, roasted red peppers, peas and corn.
• Bring on the crunch: Bread crumbs are a staple, but think about crushed potato chips, Ritz crackers, french fried onions and crispy fried garlic for your crunchy topping options.
• Cook it slower or faster: For a quick turnaround, make Instant Pot mac and cheese, or start a slow-cooker mac and cheese earlier so you don’t have to watch over it while you prepare everything else.
• Offer vegan mac and cheese: This vegan mac and cheese means everyone, regardless of dietary restrictions, can participate in the mac and cheese bar.
• Make it a theme bar: For your next game-day party, create a barbecue-themed mac and cheese bar with pulled pork, cornbread crumbles and barbecue sauce. You can also try a Mediterranean spread with Italian bread crumbs, cheeses, fresh basil and sun-dried tomatoes. Mexican-themed mac and cheese bar toppings could include chorizo crumbles, Cotija cheese, cilantro and crumbled tortilla chips.

How to Store Mac and Cheese Bar Ingredients

As long as your mac and cheese remained at a safe serving temperature in the slow cooker, you can store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. According to USDA guidelines, if any perishable toppings, like cooked meats and cheeses, sat at room temperature for over two hours (or one hour on a steamy summer day), you should throw them away. Otherwise, store the toppings separately in airtight containers. Cooked vegetables and proteins last three to four days in the fridge; chopped fresh herbs will lose their luster after two to three days.

Can you make the mac and cheese and the toppings ahead of time?

The best game plan for a mac and cheese bar is to plan ahead. You can make the mac and cheese the day before and store it in the fridge. Reheat it slowly in a slow cooker or over low heat on the stove with some extra milk to bring back the creaminess. Pre-prep toppings like grilled chicken, bacon and veggies the night before so all you have to do is warm them up before serving.

Mac and Cheese Bar Tips

Josh Rink for Taste of Home

How can you keep mac and cheese warm?

Use a slow cooker to keep your mac and cheese warm throughout the party. Stir it occasionally and add a splash of milk if it starts to dry out.

What else can you serve with a mac and cheese bar?

Keep it interesting by balancing textures—creamy, crunchy, savory and fresh! To round out the meal without overpowering it, complement the mac and cheese with a spinach salad and garlic bread and finish it with a raspberry crumble. Pour yourself a glass of crisp white wine with hints of mineral and acid or an Aperol spritz, and watch as your guests devour their custom creamy pasta.