Have you ever made a Mac And Cheese Bar? It's a great dish for kids or for a casual party since guests can customize their own heaping bowls of cheesy macaroni with an array of delectable toppings and mix-ins. Whether it's a casual get-together, game day celebration, or a cozy night in, a mac and cheese bar is always a crowd-pleaser. Plus, it takes just 20 minutes to pull together!
A Quick Look at the Recipe
👩🏻🍳 Recipe Name: Mac And Cheese Bar
⏱️ Ready In: 20 minutes
🧑🧑🧒 Serves: 8
🍴Calories: ~487 (estimated)
🥣 Main Ingredients: Mac & Cheese + Toppings
🎯 Difficulty: Very Easy
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Mac and Cheese Bar night is one of my kids' favorite dinners. They love choosing the different toppings and creating their own flavor combos, and I love it too. Not only do I get to transform an ordinary mac and cheese into something special (we like to use small bowls so we can try multiple versions!), but it's super easy to make and takes almost no time, making it a great option for busy nights or last-minute parties.
In This Post
Why I Love This Idea
There are so many reasons to try a Mac And Cheese Bar at home. Here's why it's so great:
- Easy. This is a seriously simple dinner to pull off. I often make it for my kids when my husband is traveling for work, and I just don't feel like spending a ton of time in the kitchen. Just whip up a box of mac and cheese, pull out whatever toppings you can find in the pantry or fridge, and you're done. (Note - if you're looking for more easy, low effort recipes your kids will love, try my Air Fryer French Bread Pizza, Baked Ham And Cheese Crescent Roll Sandwiches, Sheet Pan Pancakes Using A Boxed Mix, and Sheet Pan Eggs!)
- Versatile. If you have picky eaters, this meal is a godsend. There are tons of toppings you can use to create your spread, and the beauty is that everyone gets to choose their own. (In other words, no complaining about something being too spicy or having too many veggies!).
- Fun! Letting guests customize their own bowls makes it a super fun and interactive dining experience. Who doesn't love a whole heaping load of macaroni and cheese with their own mix-ins?
Key Ingredients
The sky really is the limit when it comes to what you lay out as your toppings here. This is what I used, but feel free to try other toppings (I list some more ideas in the Variations and Substitutions section below).
- Mac and cheese. You can use whatever type of mac and cheese you like - homemade (try this pumpkin mac and cheese for something a little different!) or storebought - it all works.
- Bacon bits. Because, bacon!
- Extra cheese. I added a side of shredded aged Gouda.
- Chives.
- Jalapeno slices.
- Sauteed mushrooms
- Steamed broccoli.
- Tomatoes. Plain works fine, but these Fire Roasted Tomatoes make a statement!
- Fried onions. For some extra crunch!
- Panko! The added crunch of this Japanese breadcrumb goes great with mac and cheese. (For a full serving - try this panko mac and cheese recipe!)
How To Create A Mac and Cheese Bar
This is so easy - you'll wonder why you've never made it before! Here's how to pull this fun mac and cheese dinner together.
Step 1: Prepare the macaroni and cheese. Prepare your macaroni and cheese and keep it warm while you prep the other ingredients.
Step 2: Prepare the toppings. Chop your veggies, sautee the mushrooms if using, and steam the broccoli. (Check out this easy method for steaming your broccoli in the Instant Pot!)
Step 3: Set up. Add all the toppings to small individual bowls, and serve with the large bowl of mac and cheese. Be sure to provide small tongs, spoons, and forks for easy serving, and consider using multiple small bowls or plates so that guests can try a variety of combinations.
Step 4: Customize your bowls! Invite kids/guests to make their own mac and cheese bowl but adding the mac and cheese and whichever toppings they choose!
Variations & Substitutions
I am of the belief that it's very hard to screw a mac and cheese bar up. It's so versatile, and so many toppings go great with mac and cheese that you really can get creative here. Here are some ways to change it up to suit your own tastes.
Change the Variety of Mac and Cheese
There are lots of great mac and cheese options out there, or you may have your favorite homemade recipe. Here are a few ideas for your Mac bar:
- Classic cheddar. The traditional creamy mac and cheese.
- White cheddar and gruyère. A more sophisticated blend with a smooth, rich flavor.
- Smoked gouda. For a smoky, savory option.
- Vegan mac and cheese. Made with cashew or almond milk and nutritional yeast for a dairy-free option.
Change the Toppings and Mix-Ins
- Proteins. Crispy bacon bits, grilled chicken pieces, pulled pork or chicken (try this Instant Pot BBQ Chicken), or shrimp (learn how to cook your frozen shrimp in the air fryer). You could even add some black beans for a vegetarian take on this dish!
- Vegetables. Steamed broccoli, sautéed mushrooms, caramelized onions, cherry tomatoes, roasted red peppers, and sun-dried tomatoes all work well here.
- Crunchy add-ons. Panko breadcrumbs, crushed potato chips, fried onions, and toasted nuts (almonds, pecans) are a great way to add a satisfying crunch to the creamy dish.
- Sauces and drizzles. Don't underestimate the power of a good sauce to transform a bowl of mac and cheese. Truffle oil, hot sauce (Sriracha, Cholula), BBQ sauce, and pesto are all amazing.
- Cheese selection for topping. Of course, you'll have whatever cheese you use in the mac and cheese, but extra shredded cheese to add to bowls is always a great idea. Shredded Parmesan, blue cheese crumbles, feta cheese, and Monterey Jack are just a few options.
What to serve with a Mac and Cheese Bar
- Breads and crackers. Garlic breadsticks, soft pretzels, and artisan crackers are great finger foods to include here.
- Fresh salads. A simple arugula or baby spinach salad always goes well.
- Steamed or roasted veggies. I love a good veggie side dish with mac and cheese. Something like this Roasted Fennel dish, InstantPot Steamed Broccoli, or Maple Brussels Sprouts all would work well.
- Potatoes! I love a side of fries, or something crispy to serve with these. Fried mashed potato balls, simple air fryer french fries, or air-fried zucchini fries are all great sides here. Or, if you're looking for something spicy, these air-fried shishito peppers also go well with this dish.
Mac And Cheese Bar FAQs
A mac and cheese bar is a dinner that uses mac and cheese as the main dish, with a variety of toppings that can be chosen from to make each dish customizable and delicious. It's maybe the best dinner idea ever!
My opinion? Your favorite brand, or whatever you have on hand. This is the base of the dish so pick something you like.
There's no wrong answer here. I like to use several cheeses, crisp veggies like broccoli or tomatoes, something a bit spicy like sliced jalapenos, and some crunchy bits, like fried onions or nuts, for added texture.
If you try this Easy Mac And Cheese Bar, let me know what you think in the comments below. And don't forget to tag me with a pic @frontrangefed on Instagram so I can see your cheesy masterpiece!
Recipe
How To Make The Absolute BEST Mac And Cheese Bar
Ingredients
- 28 oz cooked macaroni and cheese (I used 2 14 oz boxes of Kraft mac and cheese)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 cup mushrooms sliced and sauteed
- 1 cup steamed broccoli
- ½ cup bacon bits
- ½ cup crispy fried onions
- ½ cup aged gouda shredded
- ¼ cup chives chopped
- ¼ cup jalapenos thinly sliced
Instructions
- Cook the mac and cheese according to the package instructions.
- While the mac and cheese is cooking, prepare all the toppings and place them in small bowls.
- Add the mac and cheese to a large serving bowl and place the smaller bowls of toppings around the mac and cheese.
- Serve immediately with small bowls to allow guests to try out different combinations.
Notes
- Use a variety of toppings here: I like to use fresh veggies, savory crispies (nuts/fried onions/etc.) lots of cheese, and some roasted veggies like mushrooms.
Donna says
My kids loved this idea! Made dinner time so much fun, and they loved getting creative with their mix-ins!
Nancy says
Looks like the perfect thing for my daughters bday party!