24 Thanksgiving Mac and Cheese Recipes for Ultimate Comfort

From the Recipe Creator: Even people who have had their own Thanksgiving mac and cheese recipe for years ask for mine when they taste this crumb-topped version. For the best baked mac and cheese, use extra-sharp white cheddar cheese for more flavor. —Shelby Thompson of Dover, Delaware

From the Recipe Creator: My cast-iron skillet is a workhorse in my kitchen. I just love it for cooking and baking. This mac and cheese recipe makes for a perfect smaller-portion side. —Lisa Keys, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania

From the Recipe Creator: This is the ultimate creamy mac and cheese. It's saucy, thick and very rich, with a wonderful cheddar flavor. Once you taste it, you'll be hooked. —Cindy Hartley, Chesapeake, Virginia

From the Recipe Creator: I found this smoked Thanksgiving mac and cheese recipe, and I kept working with the ingredients until I discovered the perfect combination. You can bake it in the oven, too. —Stacey Dull, Gettysburg, Ohio

From the Recipe Creator: I created this dish after my father had triple bypass surgery. He loves comfort food and I wanted him to be able to enjoy a rich and tasty dish like mac & cheese without all the fat and butter. It's also a great way to sneak in some veggies for children. —Megan Schwartz, New York, New York

From the Recipe Creator: This is by far the creamiest, tastiest and most special macaroni and cheese I have ever tried. I'm not usually a fan of the homemade kind, but when a friend served this mac and cheese with cream cheese, I had to have the recipe. Since it's so little fuss and well received, it's a terrific potluck dish. —Catherine Odgen, Middlegrove, New York

From the Recipe Creator: This spicy mac and cheese recipe came about when I asked my two sisters what they would like to add to mac and cheese to make it special. One said pepper jack cheese and the other said black beans. I liked both of the ideas and this is the result. The black beans add color and nutrition. The pepper jack cheese adds zip and fun. —Andrea Johnson, Freeport, Illinois

From the Recipe Creator: Who can resist cheesy pasta hot from the oven? This ooey-gooey rigatoni mac and cheese boasts a homemade white sauce. —Shirley Foltz, Dexter, Kansas

From the Recipe Creator: To give our Thanksgiving mac and cheese a Sicilian touch, we mix sausage, basil and fennel with three cheeses for an incredibly comforting casserole. —Michael Cohen, Los Angeles, California

From the Recipe Creator: Bring back the taste of days gone by with this ooey-gooey classic. A little ground mustard and hot pepper sauce give this old-fashioned baked macaroni and cheese just the right spice. —James Backman, Centralia, Washington

From the Recipe Creator: Many years ago after I had had knee surgery, a friend brought me a big casserole of mac and cheese along with the recipe. I have fiddled with the recipe over the years, most recently adding jalapenos at the request of my son. What an awesome spicy twist! —Teresa Gustafson, Elkton, Maryland

From the Recipe Creator: This creamy mac and cheese is so simple it’s almost too easy! Kids really go for the rich cheese flavor, but I’ve never met an adult who didn’t love it just as much. —Ann Bowers, Rockport, Texas

From the Recipe Creator: Our kids always loved this cheesy pasta and would sample a spoonful right from the slow cooker when they walked by. Adding cocktail sausages, sliced Polish sausage or cubed ham makes it a hearty dinner. —Heidi Ferkovich, Park Falls, Wisconsin

From the Recipe Creator: Young relatives were coming for a holiday party, so I wanted something fun for them to eat. To my surprise, it was the adults who devoured these mini Thanksgiving mac and cheese bites. —Kate Mainiero, Elizaville, New York

From the Recipe Creator: No down-home meal is complete without southern mac and cheese. Three types of cheese and a squirt of mustard make this comforting dish sing! —Katie Sloan, Charlotte, North Carolina

From the Recipe Creator: This creamy mac and cheese definitely doesn't come from a box! Fresh veggies add crunch and color and will leave everyone asking for seconds. —Marsha Morril, Harrisburg, Oregon

From the Recipe Creator: My mac and cheese is simple and has lots of flavor from the cheeses and ground chipotle chile. I use conchiglie pasta because its shape allows more melted cheese to pool inside. Yum! —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia

From the Recipe Creator: This classic casserole is a rich and cheesy meatless main dish. I've never met anyone who didn't ask for a second helping. —Bernice Glascoe, Roxboro, North Carolina

From the Recipe Creator: You'll always have a winner at the potluck when you bring macaroni and cheese. Here's an extra-rich, creamy version for the slow cooker. —Jennifer Blondek, Chicopee, Massachusetts

From the Recipe Creator: I like to serve this mac & cheese with a salad and crusty bread. It's a satisfying meal that feels upscale, but will fit just about any budget. And because the Gorgonzola is so mild in this dish, even the kiddos will go for it. —Charlotte Giltner, Mesa, Arizona

From the Recipe Creator: When I was a girl, Mama used Texas longhorn cheese in this Thanksgiving mac and cheese. After it melted all over the macaroni, I loved to dig in and see how many strings of cheese would follow my spoonful. —Imogene Hutton, Brownwood, Texas

From the Recipe Creator: My husband made a version of this casserole for me on our first date. Over the 11 years we’ve been married, we’ve made several changes to the ingredients and now it’s even better than the original. —Lisa DeMarsh, Mount Solon, Virginia