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  5. Mac and Cheese Recipes To Try This Thanksgiving

Mac and Cheese Recipes To Try This Thanksgiving

Kaitlyn Yarborough, Assistant Editor and Writer for Southern Living
By Kaitlyn Yarborough
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Roasted Broccoli Macaroni and Cheese
Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall
This year, we decided to bring out the mac and cheese with longstanding classics and deliciously different recipes that will have your Thanksgiving table buzzing. We're strong believers that macaroni and cheese deserves a spot on the holiday table no matter what; but if you're looking to take the old-fashioned comfort food to new heights, these recipes are going to get it done. Give a Southern-style twist with Andouille sausage, pimiento cheese, or pecans. Or take an unexpected approach with smoked Gouda cheese, potato gnocchi, or roasted vegetables. Mac and cheese is an easy holiday family favorite that can still have that old-fashioned creaminess like your mama's with a special flavorful touch that's all yours. Here are our favorite macaroni and cheese recipes to liven up your Thanksgiving.
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Macaroni Pie

Macaroni Pie
Credit: Antonis Achilleos

Recipe: Macaroni Pie

Turkey Day wouldn’t be complete without mac and cheese and a tasty pie on the table. Why not combine the best of both worlds with this easy recipe?

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Baked Mac and Cheese with Bacon

Baked Mac and Cheese with Bacon
Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Baked Mac and Cheese with Bacon

Crispy bacon and flavorful breadcrumb crust take this homemade mac and cheese recipe to the next level.

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King Ranch Chicken Mac and Cheese

King Ranch Chicken Mac and Cheese
Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Recipe: King Ranch Chicken Mac and Cheese

Cheesy noodles and king ranch chicken unite in this skillet dinner to create a rich and delicious meal in just 45 minutes.

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Skillet Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

Skillet Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
Credit: Antonis Achilleos

Recipe: Skillet Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

Crunchy cauliflower adds the perfect amount of texture to this creamy, Gouda cheese-filled dish.

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Mac and Cheese with Ham

Baked Smokin' Macaroni and Cheese
Credit: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Mac and Cheese with Ham

Classic mac and cheese gets an instant upgrade with the addition of juicy ham. The whole family will love it.

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Barbecue Mac and Cheese

Southern Pimiento Mac and Cheese
Credit: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Barbecue Mac and Cheese

This quintessentially Southern recipe brings together two beloved cuisines – barbecue and mac and cheese. It’s delectable and comforting.

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Taco Dinner Mac and Cheese

Taco Dinner Mac and Cheese
Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Taco Dinner Mac and Cheese

Bring the best of taco night flavors to Thanksgiving dinner with this unique mac and cheese recipe.

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Golden Macaroni and Cheese

50 Best Thanksgiving Golden Mac and Cheese
Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Golden Macaroni and Cheese

This recipe gets its name from the two whole blocks of sharp Cheddar cheese exclusively used in the pasta and topping. It’s a simple dish that can be customized for your holiday meal easily with the addition of chopped bacon, smoked ham, or some chives. Each will work well with the hint of onion salt in the recipe.

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Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese
Credit: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese

This creamy dish is loved and requested by both kids and adults alike, and it can come together in under one hour and in three easy-to-follow steps. With that much ease, flavor, and cheesy goodness, could we offer a better Thanksgiving side?

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Herbed Breadcrumb-Topped Macaroni and Cheese

Roasted Broccoli Macaroni and Cheese
Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Herbed Breadcrumb-Topped Macaroni and Cheese

Buttery panko breadcrumbs seasoned with sage, thyme, and rosemary are definitely the trick to this elevated mac and cheese. The crispy topping and creamy inner pockets make for a Thanksgiving side that will pair incredibly with your turkey and dressing.

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Hugh’s Southern Mac and Cheese

Hugh’s Southern Mac and Cheese
Credit: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Hugh’s Southern Mac and Cheese

Thick-cut bacon, Gruyere and aged Cheddar cheeses, leeks, and dry mustard give a flavor-packed Southern twist to simple creamy mac and cheese recipe.

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Baked Smokin' Macaroni and Cheese

Baked Smokin' Macaroni and Cheese
Credit: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Baked Smokin' Macaroni and Cheese

Smoked Gouda cheese and smoked ham make sure you aren’t just sticking to the basics this year with your macaroni and cheese. This smoky dish will give a level of extra flavor to your Thanksgiving sideboard.

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Gussied Up Mac 'n' Cheese

Gussied Up Mac 'n' Cheese
Credit: Photo by Becky Luigart-Stayner

Recipe: Gussied Up Mac 'n' Cheese

We aren’t opposed to livening up a classic recipe for a special holiday meal, and this mac and cheese recipe gets it done. Andouille sausage, four different cheeses, and a hearty dose of heavy cream make this side dish a perfect new addition for Thanksgiving. Prepare in a baking dish or individual ramekins depending on your head count!

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Four-Cheese Macaroni

Four-Cheese Macaroni
Credit: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Four-Cheese Macaroni Recipe

Pecans, ground red pepper, and Asiago cheese are a few standout ingredients in this elevated mac and cheese. A delicious mixture of chopped pecans, breadcrumbs, butter, and bacon top the dish before popping in the oven for that crispy finish.

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Best-Ever Macaroni and Cheese

Roasted Broccoli Macaroni and Cheese
Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Best-Ever Macaroni and Cheese

The Test Kitchen concluded that this recipe is your fail-safe guarantee at mac-and-cheese success any day, making it an easy make-ahead choice for Thanksgiving. You get pockets of gooey goodness in every bite, thanks to the addition of cubes of Cheddar cheese that melt as the pasta bakes.

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Gnocchi Mac and Cheese

Charred Ambrosia with Toasted Coconut and Marshmallow Crème
Credit: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Gnocchi Mac and Cheese

You get the best of both worlds with this mac and cheese dish with potato gnocchi. The richness of the potato gnocchi melds well with the cheeses to create a creamy, decadent dish perfect for a Thanksgiving feast.

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Old-Fashioned Macaroni and Cheese

Classic Macaroni and Cheese
Credit: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Macaroni and Cheese

There’s no skimping on ingredients that ensure the creamiest mac ever in this recipe. Sour cream, cottage cheese, and plenty of sharp Cheddar cheese make this dish an easy family favorite. Speckled with smoky bits of diced ham and topped with buttered breadcrumbs, this recipe made our collection of five-star recipes.

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Roasted Broccoli Macaroni and Cheese

Roasted Broccoli Macaroni and Cheese
Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Roasted Broccoli Macaroni and Cheese

Tender spears of roasted broccoli take this best-ever mac and cheese recipe to the next level. The crisped, savory taste of well-roasted broccoli adds a holiday-worthy spin to your hearty Thanksgiving feast.

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Three-Cheese Pasta Bake

Three-Cheese Pasta Bake
Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Three-Cheese Pasta Bake

This dish works for holiday meals because it feels just a bit fancier than your old-fashioned mac and cheese. Penne pasta and creamy, white cheeses come together for a pretty dish full of indulgent flavor.



Step-by-Step Video: Over-the-Top Three-Cheese Pasta Bake

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The City and The Country Mac and Cheese

The City and The Country Mac and Cheese
Credit: Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: The City and The Country Mac and Cheese

This recipe is perfect for the home-style Southern family that isn’t afraid of going all in this Thanksgiving. It is certainly indulgent, but well worth the extra full belly at the end of the day. This dish features two different types of ham—smoky brined city ham and salty country ham—with a hearty helping of cheese and heavy cream to end up with a crowd-pleasing Southern side dish.

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Uncle Jack’s Mac-and-Cheese

Uncle Jack's Mac-and-Cheese
Credit: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Uncle Jack's Mac-and-Cheese

There isn’t a more foolproof way to get your family full and happy on Thanksgiving than this dish paired with all of your turkey, dressing, and casseroles. This slow-cooker recipe is one of our ultimate favorites, thanks to a hearty use of cheese and minimal prep time.

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Southern Pimiento Mac and Cheese

Southern Pimiento Mac and Cheese
Credit: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Southern Pimiento Mac and Cheese

Stand out at the Thanksgiving meal by bringing this insanely good mac and cheese dish. Bacon, chives, pimiento cheese, Worcestershire sauce, and a splash of hot sauce are going to blow the lid off any other mac and cheese dishes on the Thanksgiving table.

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Skillet Mac and Cheese with Crispy Breadcrumbs

Skillet Mac and Cheese with Crispy Breadcrumbs
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Skillet Mac and Cheese with Crispy Breadcrumbs

A hearty helping of mayonnaise gives a slight tanginess and so much creaminess when paired with mild ricotta cheese, along with Cheddar and Velveeta, and topped with buttery breadcrumbs. Cooking it in a skillet makes sure you’ll get plenty of the gooey cheese you’re looking for with a slightly crispy edge. You can double the recipe for a larger Thanksgiving crowd.

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Roasted Tomato Macaroni and Cheese

Roasted Tomato Macaroni and Cheese
Credit: Victor Protasio

Recipe: Roasted Tomato Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

Sliced plum tomatoes, oregano, and Parmesan cheese give the slightest Italian twist to a classic mac and cheese recipe. It’s worth stepping outside the Thanksgiving box to introduce some new flavors!

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    1 of 24 Macaroni Pie
    2 of 24 Baked Mac and Cheese with Bacon
    3 of 24 King Ranch Chicken Mac and Cheese
    4 of 24 Skillet Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
    5 of 24 Mac and Cheese with Ham
    6 of 24 Barbecue Mac and Cheese
    7 of 24 Taco Dinner Mac and Cheese
    8 of 24 Golden Macaroni and Cheese
    9 of 24 Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese
    10 of 24 Herbed Breadcrumb-Topped Macaroni and Cheese
    11 of 24 Hugh’s Southern Mac and Cheese
    12 of 24 Baked Smokin' Macaroni and Cheese
    13 of 24 Gussied Up Mac 'n' Cheese
    14 of 24 Four-Cheese Macaroni
    15 of 24 Best-Ever Macaroni and Cheese
    16 of 24 Gnocchi Mac and Cheese
    17 of 24 Old-Fashioned Macaroni and Cheese
    18 of 24 Roasted Broccoli Macaroni and Cheese
    19 of 24 Three-Cheese Pasta Bake
    20 of 24 The City and The Country Mac and Cheese
    21 of 24 Uncle Jack’s Mac-and-Cheese
    22 of 24 Southern Pimiento Mac and Cheese
    23 of 24 Skillet Mac and Cheese with Crispy Breadcrumbs
    24 of 24 Roasted Tomato Macaroni and Cheese

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