Best 7 Kicked Up Mac And Cheese Recipes

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Indulge in a tantalizing culinary journey with our exquisite collection of kicked-up mac and cheese recipes. These elevated takes on the classic comfort food promise an explosion of flavors that will leave your taste buds dancing. From the fiery spice of the sriracha mac and cheese to the smoky allure of the bacon and jalapeño mac and cheese, each recipe offers a unique and unforgettable experience.

Embark on a cheesy adventure as you explore our mac and cheese variations. The creamy cheddar mac and cheese is a timeless classic, while the four-cheese mac and cheese adds a symphony of flavors with its blend of cheddar, mozzarella, Parmesan, and Gruyère. If you crave a touch of heat, the buffalo chicken mac and cheese delivers a spicy kick, while the lobster mac and cheese offers a luxurious indulgence with its succulent lobster meat.

Our kicked-up mac and cheese recipes cater to diverse preferences and dietary needs. The cauliflower mac and cheese provides a healthier alternative with its cauliflower base, while the vegan mac and cheese ensures that plant-based eaters can relish this cheesy delight. The gluten-free mac and cheese accommodates those with gluten sensitivities, and the kid-friendly mac and cheese is sure to be a hit with the little ones.

With step-by-step instructions and helpful tips, these recipes guarantee a smooth and successful cooking experience. Whether you prefer a traditional baked mac and cheese or a quick and easy stovetop version, we have you covered. Elevate your mac and cheese game and prepare to impress your family and friends with these culinary masterpieces.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

KICK IT UP A NOTCH MACARONI AND CHEESE



Kick It up a Notch Macaroni and Cheese image

Make and share this Kick It up a Notch Macaroni and Cheese recipe from Food.com.

Provided by southern chef in lo

Categories     Cheese

Time 1h

Yield 6-8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 (16 ounce) box elbow macaroni
1/2 cup butter (softened)
1 (13 ounce) can evaporated milk
1 (16 ounce) package sharp cheddar cheese
1 (8 ounce) package mild cheddar cheese
1 (16 ounce) box Velveeta cheese
1 (4 ounce) can jalapeno peppers, chopped
salt and pepper

Steps:

  • Cook elbow noodles according to directions.
  • While the pasta is cooking cut 16 oz block of cheese into small cubes and slice the Velveeta into pieces.
  • Drain the pasta when done, do not rinse.
  • Return the pasta to the pot; add butter, milk, cheese cubes and slices to the hot pasta. Mix well until the Velveeta is melted.
  • The mixture will be soupy and the cubes of cheese will not be melted completely.
  • Add the peppers and salt and pepper to taste.
  • Pour in baking dish. Cover with the 8 oz of cheddar that has been shredded.
  • Bake at 350°F for 35 minutes. Top should be browned and pasta should be set.

KICKED UP SAUSAGE MACARONI AND CHEESE



Kicked Up Sausage Macaroni and Cheese image

Provided by Emeril Lagasse

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h5m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 23

9 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 pound elbow macaroni
1 pound homemade-style spicy pork sausage, removed from casings and crumbled
1 cup chopped yellow onions
1/2 cup chopped green bell peppers
1 tablespoon Essence, recipe follows
4 teaspoons minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon anise seeds
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
3 cups whole milk
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon cayenne
3 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese (8 ounces)
1/2 cup fine dry bread crumbs
2 1/2 tablespoons paprika
2 tablespoons salt
2 tablespoons garlic powder
1 tablespoon black pepper
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon dried leaf oregano
1 tablespoon dried thyme

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Butter a large casserole dish with 1 tablespoon of the butter and set aside.
  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook until al dente, about 10 minutes. Drain in a colander and rinse under cold running water. Drain well.
  • In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the sausage, stirring, until browned and the fat is rendered. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Pour off all but 1 tablespoon of fat from the pan. Add the onions, bell peppers, and 1 teaspoon of the Essence, and cook, stirring, over medium-high heat until soft, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and anise seeds, and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Remove from the heat.
  • Melt the remaining stick of butter in a large, heavy saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour, and stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, cook over medium heat until thick, 3 to 4 minutes, being careful not to let the flour brown. Using a whisk, add the milk in a steady stream and cook, whisking constantly, until thick and smooth, 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from the heat. Add the salt, pepper, cayenne, and 2 cups of the cheese, and stir well. Add the noodles, cooked sausage and vegetables, and stir well to combine. Pour into the prepared baking dish.
  • In a mixing bowl, combine the remaining 1 cup of cheese with the breadcrumbs and remaining 2 teaspoons of Essence. Sprinkle over the macaroni and bake until golden brown and bubbly, about 25 minutes.
  • Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
  • Combine all ingredients thoroughly and store in an airtight jar or container.
  • Recipe from "New New Orleans Cooking", by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch. Published by William and Morrow, 1993.

KICKED UP MAC AND CHEESE



KICKED UP MAC AND CHEESE image

Provided by Emeril Lagasse

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 8

2 teaspoons butter
2 eggs
2 cups whole milk
Salt and white pepper
2 cups grated Cheddar cheese
2 cups grated White Cheddar cheese
1 cup ham, diced
2 pound bag tater tots, thawed

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9 by 9 by 2-inch square baking dish with the butter. In a mixing bowl, whisk the eggs and milk together. Season the mixture with salt and pepper. Add 1 cup of the Cheddar cheese, 1 cup of the White Cheddar cheese, the ham and the tater tots. Mix the mixture thoroughly. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and sprinkle the top with the remaining cheese. Place in the oven and bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until the top is golden brown.

KICKED-UP MAC AND CHEESE



Kicked-Up Mac and Cheese image

Make and share this Kicked-Up Mac and Cheese recipe from Food.com.

Provided by nccrreporter

Categories     Chicken

Time 40m

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 5

1 lb ground chicken or 1 lb turkey, seasoned to taste
16 ounces elbow macaroni
1 lb Velveeta cheese
1 1/2 cups salsa
1 cup milk

Steps:

  • 1. Brown chicken/turkey.
  • 2. Boil macaroni.
  • 3. Melt cheese with milk.
  • 4. Add to cheese mixture chicken/turkey and salsa and macaroni.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 494, Fat 16.2, SaturatedFat 9.4, Cholesterol 88.8, Sodium 1192.5, Carbohydrate 55.1, Fiber 2.7, Sugar 7.1, Protein 30.9

KICKED UP MACARONI AND CHEESE



Kicked up Macaroni and Cheese image

For a potluck I needed something fast and easy. I had everything on hand, threw it together, and it was gone by the end of the potluck. If you don't want to make the Macaroni and Cheese you can use your favorite boxed brand. It will take 2 or 3 boxes to make the full recipe.

Provided by Triple BQ

Categories     Macaroni And Cheese

Time P1DT6h20m

Yield 1 cup, 11 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 14

8 ounces elbow macaroni
4 ounces butter
1/4 cup flour
2 cups low-fat milk
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
4 ounces Velveeta cheese, cubed
4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, grated
1 small onion, chopped
1 (16 ounce) package kielbasa, sliced
1 (16 ounce) package frozen broccoli, chopped
2/3 cup breadcrumbs
1/4 cup butter, melted
1/4 teaspoon parsley

Steps:

  • Boil macaroni about 8 minutes, until al dente, and drain well.
  • Meanwhile melt 1/4 cup butter and whisk in flour until smooth.
  • Add milk a little at a time, whisking until smooth; bring back to a boil.
  • Repeat until all the milk is added.
  • Stir in white pepper and garlic powder.
  • Remove from heat, slowly stir in the Velveeta cheese and Cheddar cheese, mixing until smooth.
  • Stir in macaroni, set aside.
  • Fry the onion and kielbasa to brown meat.
  • Stir in broccoli, cook for 5 minutes to warm through.
  • Stir mixture into the macaroni and cheese.
  • Pour into a large crock pot or a 9x13 baking dish.
  • Mix bread crumbs, melted butter and parsley together; sprinkle over macaroni and cheese.
  • Bake in a 350 degree Fahrenheit oven for 30 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 460.9, Fat 30.7, SaturatedFat 15.8, Cholesterol 81.7, Sodium 779, Carbohydrate 30.5, Fiber 2.4, Sugar 5.7, Protein 16.2

UPGRADED KRAFT MAC N CHEESE



Upgraded Kraft Mac N Cheese image

This recipe came from a Kraft newsletter. It's very simple, takes the 'blue box' of mac and cheese and adds just a few ingredients and steps to make it taste a bit more homemade. Note that this calls for the "dinner" Kraft mac n cheese, which is the one with the packet of cheese that you squeeze out, not the standard one with the powdered cheese. If you have to use the standard variety, use 2 boxes and add more milk or sour cream, as it tends to dry out during baking.

Provided by jaynine

Categories     Lunch/Snacks

Time 40m

Yield 5 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 (14 ounce) package Kraft macaroni and cheese (dinner, blue box)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper or 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
6 butter flavored crackers, crushed (like Ritz)
1 tablespoon butter or 1 tablespoon margarine, melted

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 375°F.
  • Prepare Mac n Cheese dinner as directed on package.
  • Stir in 1/2 cup of the Cheddar cheese, the sour cream and pepper.
  • Spoon into greased 1-1/2 quart baking dish; sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup Cheddar cheese.
  • Combine the melted butter and cracker crumbs and sprinkle over the top.
  • Bake at 375 for 20 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 318, Fat 21.3, SaturatedFat 10.6, Cholesterol 46.6, Sodium 584.9, Carbohydrate 21.9, Fiber 0.8, Sugar 2.8, Protein 10.1

"KICKED UP" MACARONI AND CHEESE



I have made this quite a few times, it is just delicious and a favourite with my family. This recipe makes quite a lot so make certain that you have a very large fry pan or use a Dutch oven. The complete recipe is made on top of the stove. Make certain to only cook pasta until just firm but a bit tender, as the pasta will cook more in the pan. All ingredients may be adjusted to suit taste. I have even added in some chopped cooked bacon...you will love this!

Provided by Kittencalrecipezazz

Categories     Meat

Time 1h10m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 16

2 lbs ground beef
1 -2 teaspoon seasoning salt or 1 -2 teaspoon salt
black pepper
1 tablespoon minced fresh garlic
1 large onion, chopped
2 -3 stalks celery, finely chopped
2 (225 g) boxes macaroni & cheese dinner mix (I use Kraft)
2 (10 ounce) cans mushrooms, drained
2 tablespoons HP steak sauce (or to taste)
1 dash Tabasco sauce (optional)
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 (10 ounce) can tomato soup, undiluted
2 (10 ounce) cans cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
1 -2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese (optional)
milk (to thin sauce) or half-and-half cream (to thin sauce)

Steps:

  • Cook the pasta from the Kraft dinner until firm-tender (do not over cook, leave firm!) drain and rinse under cold water, set aside the cheese packages and the cooked macaroni.
  • In a large frypan or Dutch oven brown the ground beef with onion, garlic and celery until beef is no longer pink; drain fat.
  • Add in the mushrooms and the cooked macaroni to the ground beef; mix to combine.
  • In a bowl, mix together mushroom soup, tomato soup, HP steak sauce, Tabasco sauce (if using) green pepper, Parmesan cheese (if using) and the two packages of cheese mix; mix well to combine.
  • Add the mixture to the ground beef in the pan and stir to combine.
  • Simmer on medium heat for 10 minutes; reduce heat to low and simmer for 30-35 minutes, stirring occasionally, adding in milk to thin sauce (I use about 1/4-1/3 cup).
  • Delicious!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 752.6, Fat 31.7, SaturatedFat 11.7, Cholesterol 113.3, Sodium 1616.6, Carbohydrate 71.6, Fiber 4, Sugar 16.4, Protein 46

Tips:

  • Selecting the right cheese is important for a flavorful mac and cheese. A good combination of sharp cheddar, creamy Gouda, and nutty Parmesan is recommended.
  • To enhance the cheese sauce's richness, use a combination of whole milk and heavy cream. If you prefer a lighter sauce, you can use more milk and less cream.
  • Adding vegetables like spinach, broccoli florets, or diced bell peppers to the mac and cheese increases its nutritional value and adds texture and color.
  • Use a variety of spices and seasonings to create a unique flavor profile. Paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper are some common choices.
  • To achieve a crispy and golden-brown crust, top the mac and cheese with panko breadcrumbs before baking.
  • For a smoky flavor, add some cooked bacon or crumbled sausage to the mac and cheese.
  • Mac and cheese can be customized to suit individual preferences. For a spicy kick, add some diced jalapenos or hot sauce. For a more decadent version, stir in some truffle oil.

Conclusion:

The "Kicked-Up Mac and Cheese" recipe is a versatile dish that can be customized to suit different tastes and preferences. By following the tips and suggestions provided in this article, you can create a creamy, cheesy, and flavorful mac and cheese that will be a hit at any gathering. Experiment with different ingredients and combinations to create your own unique mac and cheese recipe.

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