10 Best Cheeses for Mac and Cheese - Yenra

Ten best cheeses for macaroni and cheese, including reasons, pictures, and recipes

1. Cheddar

Cheddar is a classic choice for mac and cheese, known for its sharp, tangy flavor and excellent melting qualities.

Cheddar Cheese for Mac and Cheese
Cheddar Cheese for Mac and Cheese: A kitchen scene with a block of rich, orange Cheddar cheese next to a pot of creamy mac and cheese. The cheese is partially grated, with strands of it falling into the pot, showcasing its excellent melting quality.

Cheddar Mac and Cheese Recipe

Ingredients

8 oz macaroni, 2 cups grated sharp Cheddar cheese, 2 tablespoons butter, 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, 2 cups milk, salt, and pepper to taste.

Instructions

  1. Cook macaroni according to package instructions; drain.
  2. In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour to form a roux, cooking for 1 minute.
  3. Gradually whisk in milk until smooth. Cook until thickened.
  4. Remove from heat, stir in grated Cheddar until melted. Season with salt and pepper.
  5. Combine sauce with macaroni, serve immediately.

2. Gruyère

Gruyère adds a nutty, slightly sweet taste. It melts smoothly, making for a creamy and velvety sauce.

Gruyère Cheese in Mac and Cheese
Gruyère Cheese in Mac and Cheese: A cozy dining setting featuring a wheel of Gruyère cheese with a slice cut out, revealing its smooth texture. In the background, a steaming bowl of mac and cheese garnished with Gruyère shavings, highlighting the nutty and slightly sweet flavor of the cheese.

Gruyère Mac and Cheese Recipe

Ingredients

8 oz elbow macaroni, 1.5 cups grated Gruyère cheese, 1 cup grated Parmesan, 2 cups milk, 2 tablespoons butter, 2 tablespoons flour, pinch of nutmeg, salt, and pepper.

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook macaroni; drain.
  2. In a pot, melt butter, add flour, cook for 1-2 minutes. Gradually add milk, whisking until thick.
  3. Off the heat, add Gruyère, Parmesan, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Mix until cheese melts.
  4. Combine cheese sauce with macaroni. Transfer to a baking dish, bake for 20-25 minutes until bubbly and golden.

3. Fontina

Fontina has a mild, yet slightly tart flavor. It melts beautifully, lending a silky texture to the dish.

Fontina Cheese in a Mac and Cheese Dish
Fontina Cheese in a Mac and Cheese Dish: An elegant cheeseboard with a wedge of Fontina cheese, characterized by its creamy texture and mild, tart flavor. Beside it, a creamy mac and cheese dish with a silky, smooth texture, illustrating how Fontina melts into the pasta.

Fontina Mac and Cheese Recipe

Ingredients

8 oz penne pasta, 2 cups grated Fontina cheese, 2 cups heavy cream, 1 garlic clove, minced, 1 tablespoon olive oil, salt, and black pepper.

Instructions

  1. Cook pasta; drain. In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat, sauté garlic until fragrant.
  2. Add heavy cream, bring to a simmer. Reduce heat, add Fontina cheese, stir until melted and smooth.
  3. Season with salt and pepper. Toss pasta with the sauce. Serve warm.

4. Mozzarella

Mozzarella is known for its stretchiness and mild flavor, which complements other cheeses well.

Mozzarella Cheese for Stretchy Mac and Cheese
Mozzarella Cheese for Stretchy Mac and Cheese: A vibrant scene of a freshly baked mac and cheese casserole being served, with strings of gooey Mozzarella stretching from the serving spoon to the dish. The Mozzarella cheese is shown in the foreground with its mild flavor and stretchy quality.

Mozzarella Mac and Cheese Recipe

Ingredients

8 oz macaroni, 2 cups shredded Mozzarella cheese, 1 cup ricotta cheese, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan, 1/2 cup milk, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

Instructions

  1. Cook macaroni; drain. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. In a bowl, mix ricotta, Mozzarella, Parmesan, milk, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
  3. Combine cheese mixture with macaroni. Transfer to a baking dish. Bake for 25 minutes or until cheese is bubbly.

5. Monterey Jack

Monterey Jack is creamy and mild, melting well and blending seamlessly with other cheeses.

Monterey Jack Cheese in Creamy Mac and Cheese
Monterey Jack Cheese in Creamy Mac and Cheese: A rustic kitchen setting with a block of Monterey Jack cheese, its creamy and mild nature highlighted. A pot of mac and cheese on the stove blends seamlessly with melted Monterey Jack cheese stirred in.

Monterey Jack Mac and Cheese Recipe

Ingredients

8 oz macaroni, 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese, 2 tablespoons butter, 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, 2 cups milk, 1/2 teaspoon paprika, salt, and pepper.

Instructions

  1. Cook macaroni; drain. In a saucepan, melt butter, add flour and cook for 1 minute.
  2. Slowly whisk in milk until thickened. Add Monterey Jack cheese, paprika, salt, and pepper, stirring until cheese melts.
  3. Mix cheese sauce with macaroni. Serve immediately or bake for a crispy top.

6. Parmesan

Parmesan adds a salty, nutty flavor. It's often used in combination with creamier cheeses for a richer taste.

Parmesan Cheese Adding Flavor to Mac and Cheese
Parmesan Cheese Adding Flavor to Mac and Cheese: A traditional Italian kitchen scene with a wedge of Parmesan cheese and a hand grater. Parmesan shavings are sprinkled over a bowl of mac and cheese, emphasizing the salty, nutty flavor enhancement it provides.

Parmesan Mac and Cheese Recipe

Ingredients

8 oz fusilli pasta, 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1 cup heavy cream, 2 tablespoons butter, 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg, salt, and black pepper.

Instructions

  1. Cook pasta; drain. In a saucepan, combine heavy cream and butter, bring to a simmer.
  2. Reduce heat, add Parmesan cheese, nutmeg, salt, and pepper, stirring until the cheese melts and the sauce thickens.
  3. Toss pasta in the sauce, serve garnished with more Parmesan if desired.

7. Gouda

Gouda, especially smoked Gouda, offers a unique flavor profile, adding depth to mac and cheese.

Gouda Cheese in a Unique Mac and Cheese Variant
Gouda Cheese in a Unique Mac and Cheese Variant: A smoky, ambient scene with a round of smoked Gouda cheese, its deep and complex flavor profile on display. Next to it, a dish of mac and cheese with a smoky flavor twist, signifying the depth Gouda adds to the dish.

Gouda Mac and Cheese Recipe

Ingredients

8 oz macaroni, 1.5 cups shredded Gouda cheese (smoked or regular), 2 tablespoons butter, 2 tablespoons flour, 2 cups milk, 1 teaspoon mustard powder, salt, and pepper.

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook macaroni; drain.
  2. In a pot, melt butter, whisk in flour, then gradually add milk until thickened.
  3. Stir in Gouda cheese, mustard powder, salt, and pepper until smooth.
  4. Combine with macaroni, bake in a greased dish for 20-25 minutes until golden.

8. Havarti

Havarti is creamy with a buttery flavor. It melts well, making it a great choice for a smooth sauce.

Havarti Cheese for a Smooth Mac and Cheese Sauce
Havarti Cheese for a Smooth Mac and Cheese Sauce: A bright, airy kitchen scene showcasing a creamy slice of Havarti cheese. A pot of mac and cheese with a notably smooth and buttery sauce is seen in the background, illustrating Havarti's contribution to the dish's texture.

Havarti Mac and Cheese Recipe

Ingredients

8 oz macaroni, 2 cups shredded Havarti cheese, 2 tablespoons butter, 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, 2 cups milk, 1/4 teaspoon white pepper, salt.

Instructions

  1. Cook macaroni; drain. In a saucepan, melt butter, stir in flour, then slowly add milk, whisking until thick.
  2. Add Havarti cheese, white pepper, and salt, stirring until the cheese melts.
  3. Mix the cheese sauce with macaroni. Serve warm, optionally baked for a crispy top.

9. Brie

Brie adds a touch of luxury. Its creamy interior melts into a rich, decadent sauce.

Brie Cheese in a Luxurious Mac and Cheese
Brie Cheese in a Luxurious Mac and Cheese: An elegant dining table setting with a wheel of Brie cheese, its rich and creamy interior exposed. A serving of mac and cheese looks rich and decadent, indicating the luxurious touch Brie adds to the classic dish.

Brie Mac and Cheese Recipe

Ingredients

8 oz elbow macaroni, 1 cup cubed Brie cheese (rind removed), 1 cup heavy cream, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder.

Instructions

  1. Cook macaroni; drain. In a saucepan, heat heavy cream over low heat.
  2. Add Brie and Parmesan, stirring until melted. Season with black pepper and garlic powder.
  3. Combine sauce with macaroni, serve immediately for a creamy texture.

10. Blue Cheese

For a bold flavor, blue cheese can be used. It adds a sharp, tangy twist to the classic dish.

Blue Cheese for a Bold Mac and Cheese Flavor
Blue Cheese for a Bold Mac and Cheese Flavor: A moody, gourmet food scene with a wedge of Blue Cheese showing its characteristic blue veins. A bowl of mac and cheese with a distinct, sharp flavor profile is featured, highlighting the bold twist Blue Cheese brings to the recipe.

Blue Cheese Mac and Cheese Recipe

Ingredients

8 oz macaroni, 1 cup crumbled Blue Cheese, 1 cup heavy cream, 1/2 cup grated sharp Cheddar, 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper.

Instructions

  1. Cook macaroni; drain. In a saucepan, combine heavy cream, Blue Cheese, and Cheddar over low heat.
  2. Stir until cheeses melt and the sauce is smooth. Season with black pepper.
  3. Mix the sauce with macaroni, serve immediately for a bold and tangy flavor.