14 Delicious Mac and Cheese Variations for Holiday Tables
Mac and cheese isn’t just a side dish—it’s basically the VIP guest at any holiday table. Creamy, cheesy, and endlessly comforting, it’s the one recipe that never gets skipped.
But let’s be real…plain mac and cheese can get a little “meh” when you serve it year after year.
That’s where these 14 mac and cheese variations come in—each one has its own personality, from subtly gourmet to downright indulgent.
Ready to upgrade your holiday spread and maybe even get a few compliments you totally deserve? Let’s go!
1. Classic Cheddar Mac and Cheese with a Crunchy Twist
Why It’s Awesome: You love the basics, but who says you can’t jazz them up? A buttery breadcrumb topping takes this classic from “meh” to “heck yes!”
Ingredients
- 8 oz elbow macaroni
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese (grated)
- 2 cups milk
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp flour
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- Salt & pepper to taste
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Cook macaroni according to package instructions; drain.
- In a saucepan, melt butter, stir in flour, and cook 1 min.
- Slowly whisk in milk until thickened.
- Add cheddar cheese; stir until melted.
- Mix cheese sauce with pasta.
- Pour into a baking dish, top with breadcrumbs, and bake at 350°F for 20 min.
Why You’ll Love It
Classic, creamy, and that topping? Crispy heaven. IMO, the breadcrumbs make all the difference—don’t skip them.
2. Truffle Oil and Parmesan Mac
Why It’s Awesome: Fancy without being fussy. Just a drizzle of truffle oil and a sprinkle of parmesan makes it holiday-worthy.
Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta of choice
- 2 cups shredded parmesan
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tsp truffle oil
- Salt & pepper
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Cook pasta al dente.
- Heat cream in a pan, stir in parmesan until melted.
- Toss pasta in the sauce.
- Drizzle truffle oil on top before serving.
Why You’ll Love It
Rich, nutty, and slightly indulgent—this one will have your guests pretending they’re at a fancy restaurant.
3. Four-Cheese Explosion
Why It’s Awesome: Cheddar, mozzarella, gouda, and fontina—because sometimes, more cheese = more happiness.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cheddar
- 1 cup mozzarella
- 1 cup gouda
- 1 cup fontina
- 8 oz pasta
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp flour
- Salt & pepper
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Cook pasta; drain.
- Make a roux with butter and flour; whisk in milk.
- Add all cheeses, stirring until smooth.
- Mix with pasta and bake at 350°F for 15 minutes.
Why You’ll Love It
Cheesy, melty, and borderline decadent. If anyone judges you for making four cheeses, just smile and serve more.
4. Veggie-Packed Mac and Cheese
Why It’s Awesome: Sneak in some greens without anyone noticing—IMO, a little spinach and broccoli never hurt anyone.
Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 1 cup spinach
- 2 cups cheddar cheese
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp flour
- Salt & pepper
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Steam veggies until just tender.
- Cook pasta; drain.
- Make cheese sauce (butter + flour + milk + cheddar).
- Toss pasta and veggies in sauce; bake 20 min at 350°F.
Why You’ll Love It
Healthy-ish comfort food. You get your greens, but let’s be honest—the cheese is still the star.
5. Buffalo Chicken Mac
Why It’s Awesome: A little heat, a lot of creamy goodness. This one is game-day AND holiday-approved.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 1/2 cup buffalo sauce
- 2 cups cheddar cheese
- 1 cup pasta
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp flour
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Cook pasta; drain.
- Make cheese sauce.
- Toss chicken and buffalo sauce with pasta and sauce.
- Bake 20 min at 350°F.
Why You’ll Love It
Spicy, cheesy, and totally addictive. FYI, this one disappears fast—maybe double the batch.
6. Lobster Mac and Cheese
Why It’s Awesome: A holiday splurge. Lobster adds a rich, indulgent twist without overcomplicating things.
Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta
- 1 cup cooked lobster chunks
- 2 cups gruyere cheese
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp flour
- Salt & pepper
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Cook pasta; drain.
- Make a roux; add milk and cheese.
- Mix pasta and lobster chunks in the sauce.
- Bake at 375°F for 15 minutes.
Why You’ll Love It
Elegant, creamy, and guaranteed to impress your in-laws—or anyone who judges your cooking skills.
7. Mac and Cheese with Caramelized Onions
Why It’s Awesome: Sweet meets savory in the cheesiest way possible. Caramelized onions = game-changer.
Ingredients
- 2 large onions, thinly sliced
- 8 oz pasta
- 2 cups cheddar cheese
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp flour
- Salt & pepper
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Caramelize onions in a skillet with butter over medium heat.
- Cook pasta; drain.
- Make cheese sauce; mix with pasta and onions.
- Bake 350°F for 15 min.
Why You’ll Love It
The sweet onions add depth without stealing the spotlight. Everyone will ask for seconds.
8. Pesto Mac and Cheese
Why It’s Awesome: Italian vibes with zero fuss. Pesto + cheddar = yes, please.
Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta
- 1/2 cup pesto
- 2 cups cheddar cheese
- 1 cup milk
- Salt & pepper
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Cook pasta; drain.
- Make cheese sauce; stir in pesto.
- Mix with pasta and bake 350°F for 15 min.
Why You’ll Love It
Bright, herby, and slightly unexpected. IMO, it’s like a breath of fresh air on your plate.
9. Jalapeño Popper Mac
Why It’s Awesome: Spicy, creamy, and straight-up fun. Perfect if you like a little kick in your comfort food.
Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta
- 2 jalapeños, finely chopped
- 2 cups cheddar cheese
- 1 cup cream cheese
- 1 cup milk
- Salt & pepper
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Cook pasta; drain.
- Make cheese sauce with cheddar and cream cheese.
- Stir in jalapeños; bake 350°F for 15 min.
Why You’ll Love It
Cheesy, spicy, and a little daring. It’s the recipe that says, “Yes, I like comfort food, but with personality.”
10. Sweet Potato Mac
Why It’s Awesome: Sweet meets cheesy. Perfect for holiday tables craving something cozy and a little different.
Ingredients
- 1 cup mashed sweet potatoes
- 8 oz pasta
- 2 cups cheddar cheese
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp flour
- Salt & pepper
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Cook pasta; drain.
- Make cheese sauce; stir in sweet potatoes.
- Mix with pasta and bake 350°F for 15 min.
Why You’ll Love It
Sweet, creamy, and festive. Bonus: it looks gorgeous on a holiday spread.
11. Mediterranean Mac
Why It’s Awesome: Sun-dried tomatoes, feta, and olives bring a little vacation to your table.
Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes
- 1/2 cup feta cheese
- 1/2 cup olives, sliced
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp flour
- Salt & pepper
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Cook pasta; drain.
- Make cheese sauce; fold in tomatoes, feta, and olives.
- Bake 350°F for 15 min.
Why You’ll Love It
Tangy, cheesy, and colorful. A little slice of Mediterranean joy in your holiday chaos.
12. BBQ Mac and Cheese
Why It’s Awesome: Smoky, cheesy, and messy in the best way possible.
Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta
- 1 cup shredded chicken (cooked)
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
- 2 cups cheddar cheese
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp flour
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Cook pasta; drain.
- Make cheese sauce; stir in BBQ chicken.
- Bake 350°F for 15 min.
Why You’ll Love It
Sweet, smoky, creamy…basically a holiday hug on a plate.
13. Spinach and Artichoke Mac
Why It’s Awesome: Inspired by the classic dip, this mac is green, cheesy, and totally addictive.
Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta
- 1 cup chopped spinach
- 1 cup chopped artichokes
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp flour
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Cook pasta; drain.
- Make cheese sauce; stir in spinach and artichokes.
- Bake 350°F for 15 min.
Why You’ll Love It
Creamy, veggie-packed, and fancy enough to impress, but still cozy.
14. Mac and Cheese with Caramelized Pears
Why It’s Awesome: Sweet, savory, and unexpected. Caramelized pears make this one holiday-table showstopper.
Ingredients
- 1 pear, sliced
- 8 oz pasta
- 2 cups gruyere cheese
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp flour
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Caramelize pears in butter.
- Cook pasta; drain.
- Make cheese sauce; fold in pears and pasta.
- Bake 350°F for 15 min.
Why You’ll Love It
Sophisticated, creamy, and a little fruity twist. This one gets a “wow” every time.
Final Thoughts
There you have it—14 mac and cheese variations that can totally up your holiday game. From spicy to sweet, veggie-packed to decadent lobster, there’s something for every table. These recipes prove comfort food doesn’t have to be boring, and sometimes the simplest dish can steal the spotlight. Whether you stick with classic cheddar or get adventurous with jalapeños, your holiday guests are in for a cheesy, melty treat they won’t forget. 🍽️
