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.
Top 8 Ways to Jazz Up a Box of Mac and Cheese
1/8
Hamburger Mac and Cheese
Total Time
25 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
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
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 436 calories, 20g fat (10g saturated fat), 87mg cholesterol, 679mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 4g fiber), 25g protein.
Craving comfort food in a hurry? Grab a box! We snagged seven to find the best boxed mac and cheese.
2/8
Cajun Mac and Cheese
Total Time
35 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
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
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 353 calories, 12g fat (6g saturated fat), 46mg cholesterol, 797mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 3g fiber), 18g protein.
3/8
Pizza Macaroni & Cheese
Total Time
55 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My grandma made this for us once when she came to visit and I never forgot just how good it was. Since my kids love anything with pepperoni and cheese, I thought they'd enjoy it just as much as I did. —Juli Meyers, Hinesville, Georgia
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 340 calories, 14g fat (7g saturated fat), 37mg cholesterol, 927mg sodium, 37g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 3g fiber), 14g protein.
4/8
Mac and Cheese Bites
Total Time
45 min
Servings
3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Young relatives were coming for a Christmas party, so I wanted something fun for them to eat. To my surprise, it was the adults who devoured these mini mac and cheese bites. —Kate Mainiero, Elizaville, New York
Nutrition Facts:
1 appetizer: 91 calories, 5g fat (3g saturated fat), 22mg cholesterol, 162mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 4g protein.
5/8
Mini Mac & Cheese Dogs
Total Time
40 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
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
Nutrition Facts:
1 appetizer: 198 calories, 12g fat (5g saturated fat), 25mg cholesterol, 446mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 6g protein.
6/8
Mexi-Mac Casserole
Total Time
55 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
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
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups: 555 calories, 27g fat (13g saturated fat), 101mg cholesterol, 1330mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 6g fiber), 33g protein.
7/8
Mexican Mac and Cheese
Total Time
50 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
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
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups: 631 calories, 35g fat (17g saturated fat), 105mg cholesterol, 1286mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 3g fiber), 35g protein.
8/8
Hearty Mac & Cheese
Total Time
40 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
“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
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 480 calories, 24g fat (13g saturated fat), 92mg cholesterol, 1253mg sodium, 39g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 2g fiber), 25g protein.
