10 twists on macaroni cheese that will level up your weeknight dinners

Macaroni cheese with a crunch crumb in an oval baking dish

Macaroni cheese is a staple comfort dish for autumn and for good reason. We love its crispy golden exterior, breaking away to reveal piping hot macaroni baked in a velvety and gooey cheesy sauce. This American dish has reached new heights in recent years, with twists on the classic even appearing on supermarket shelves. There's little more comforting or rewarding, however, than a bowl of homemade macaroni cheese. That's why we've listed our popular twists on the classic, meaning you can enjoy cheesy pasta perfection while experimenting with new and exciting flavour combinations.

See our recipe for a classic macaroni cheese, then discover our exciting twists below. You can also check out more of our comforting macaroni cheese recipes.

1. Macaroni cheese lasagne

Combining two of our favourite comfort food dishes, this macaroni cheese lasagne hybrid is an instant crowdpleaser. Serving 6-8, it's a great way to feed the whole family, with any leftovers perfect for next day's lunch. And who knows, the family may prefer it to the classic!

Find more lasagne dishes with our collection of lasagne recipes, vegetarian lasagne recipes and healthy lasagne recipes.

2. Southern-style mac ‘n’ cheese

Southern-style mac ‘n’ cheese in a gratin dish with a spoon digging into it

Take macaroni cheese to new heights by adding roasted sweet potato and pepping it up with a pinch of cayenne. It also features American mustard and a generous grating of nutmeg.

Find more American-inspired dishes here, featuring our version of American sloppy joes.

3. Butternut squash & sage macaroni cheese

Combining creamy squash with earthy sage, this hearty macaroni cheese practically sings autumn. Including 1 of your 5-a-day, this version serves up to eight – it's freezable too, making it perfect for batch cooking.

Try more of our freezable pasta bake recipes and freezable vegetarian recipes for quick, easy dinners.

4. Truffled macaroni & smoked haddock bake

Truffled macaroni & smoked haddock bake in a baking dish

Round out this cheesy pasta classic with a moreish combination of smoked haddock and truffle. If you're hosting, you can assemble it the night before and finish in the oven the next day.

See more winning fish suppers with our smoked haddock recipes and mixed fish recipes.

5. Macaroni cheese with crunch crumb

Macaroni cheese with crunch crumb in an oval baking dish on a black backdrop

We've upped the ante by topping macaroni with a golden crunch crumb – simply drape over pancetta slices and scatter with the cheddar, bread cubes and spring onions. It's macaroni cheese, made even more comforting.

Achieve golden, bubbling pasta perfection with these top 20 pasta bake recipes and freezable pasta bakes.

6. Fish pie mac ’n’ cheese

Baking dish of fish pie mac and cheese with a chunk missing in the top left corner

A cross between macaroni cheese and fish pie, this popular hybrid makes for a crowdpleasing and filling family dinner. The dish freezes well, so you can make ahead if you like for busy weeknights.

Get ahead in a busy week with our freezable recipes, including pies, curries, stews and soups.

7. Microwave macaroni cheese

Microwave macaroni cheese in a blue oven proof dish

Fancy a comforting macaroni cheese quickly, without too many pots and pans to wash up afterwards? Look to your microwave - and our three-cheese recipe. Ready in just 25 minutes, it's our speediest macaroni recipe to date, making it a real keeper of a recipe.

Discover more easy microwave recipes for speedy dinners.

8. Cheeseboard macaroni cheese

Cheeseboard macaroni cheese in an oval shaped baking dish

Throw any leftover cheese lurking in the fridge into this super creamy macaroni cheese. We used Cheshire, cheddar and camembert, plus extra hard cheese for the topping.

Browse our collection of cheesy pasta recipes for more comforting weeknight dinners.

9. Green bean mac ’n’ cheese

Boost your macaroni cheese while upping your veg intake by adding runner and green beans into the mix. Top with pumpkin seeds for added crunch and serve with a peppery rocket and watercress salad.

Discover more veg-packed bakes in our vegetarian pasta bake collection.

10. Vegan mac and cheese

Baking dish of mac and cheese with a portion missing served on a plate to the left

Macaroni cheese gets a vegan makeover so everyone at the table can enjoy. The recipe is quick and easy to make, so it's a great midweek meal for the family.

Dive into more vegan pasta recipes, including our vegan carbonara and vegan bolognese.