Top 8 Ways to Jazz Up a Box of Mac and Cheese

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.

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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.