

I try not to make this too often but when I do, it’s always worth the extra calories. This isn’t the healthiest option here but crushed cheetos make any cheesy dish taste even better! Instead of the usual bread crumbs, top off your mac and cheese with hot cheetos and thank me later! Add them on top of your mac and cheese and you’ve got the perfect one-bowl meal!įor an extra pop of flavor, drizzle some additional BBQ sauce on top! 7. The BBQ sauce pairs perfectly with the cheesy pasta.Ĭut your chicken into smaller pieces.

Yum!Īside from the usual fried option, BBQ chicken is also a great way to add some protein into your mac and cheese. If you want something crunchy, add in some homemade corn nuts and pour them on top. Here’s another southern way to top of your mac and cheese… with corn! Add some buttery corn kernels with a sprinkle of salt, pepper, and paprika and you’ll never think about mac and cheese the same way again. I recommend using smoked ham as the smokiness pairs perfectly with the creamy, cheesy flavors. This combo works especially well with a milkier mac and cheese. It’s just as delicious and you even get that extra savory, salty flavor from the juicy ham. Diced HamĬraving something meaty with your mac and cheese but want to keep its gooey texture? Add in some diced ham instead of bacon! If you’re trying to stay away from gluten or carbs, you can even make cauliflower mac and cheese without the pasta! Guilt-free but equally delicious! 4. I love its mild, milky flavor and I will usually add this on top of my mac and cheese before baking. CauliflowerĪ healthy way to add texture to your mac and cheese is by adding cauliflower bits. This one is foolproof and probably won’t last long after you serve it! This combo is too good to resist. Fried Chickenįor some truly southern comfort food, top off your mac and cheese with fried chicken! I like to use small pieces of chicken (the size of tater tots!) coated in a batter that makes them extra crispy. When I make this, I always cook the bacon extra crispy and then crush them before adding a generous amount on top of my mac and cheese. Bacon Bitsīacon and cheese, a match made in heaven! Just the sight of golden yellow mac and cheese and the dark crispy bits of bacon are enough to make your mouth water. Everyone has their favorite cheese to add but my go-to’s are mozzarella, sharp cheddar, white cheddar, smoked gouda, fontina, and gruyere.īut there are far more toppings available for this family favorite than just cheese! From fried chicken and pulled pork to butter crackers and hot dogs, here are some of the best ways to top your mac and cheese. This casserole is so simple and delicious, you will be making it for your family on the regular.This one is an all-time favorite in my house and I’m sure it is in yours too. It has become a staple on dinner tables and a popular dish at restaurants and family gatherings. Since then, macaroni and cheese has evolved into a beloved comfort food enjoyed by people all over the world. He served it at a state dinner in 1802, and the dish eventually became well-known and loved in the United States. Jefferson’s version included macaroni noodles, cheese, and butter, similar to the modern-day macaroni and cheese. He encountered the dish during his travels in Europe and brought back a pasta machine and a recipe for “macaroni pie” to the United States. In the United States, Thomas Jefferson is often credited with popularizing macaroni and cheese. It became a fashionable dish enjoyed by the upper classes. It wasn’t until the 18th century that macaroni and cheese gained popularity in England.

The dish evolved over the centuries, and different variations of pasta and cheese dishes were made across Europe. One of the earliest known recipes for a pasta and cheese dish dates back to the 14th century in a medieval Italian cookbook called “Liber de Coquina.” This recipe, known as “de lasanis,” featured sheets of pasta cooked with grated cheese in-between. The dish’s roots can be traced back to various pasta and cheese dishes that were popular in different regions of Italy. The exact origins of macaroni and cheese are not entirely clear, but it is believed to have originated in Italy. Or just eating it as a meal in general! Origins of macaroni and cheese You can never go wrong with this as any side to ANY dinner. Print Recipe Southern Baked Mac and Cheese
