13 Easy No-Bake Mac & Cheese Recipes That Feel Like a Warm Hug

mac & cheese on a white table

Whether you use the stove top or a multi-cooker, these easy, cheesy recipes will keep you from having to turn on the oven. Whether it's a side or a main dish, each of these yummy macaroni and cheese recipes is ready to serve in 30 minutes or less, so you can get dinner on the table in a pinch. Recipes like our Classic Mac & Cheese and Quick Stovetop Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese are creamy, cozy ways to add a healthy touch to your next meal.

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Classic Mac & Cheese

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No sneaky ingredients here, just delicious comfort food. You can enjoy this super-cheesy mac and cheese in the same time it takes to cook the boxed version. Whole-wheat noodles add fiber, while sharp Cheddar adds richness. A hefty twist of black pepper balances the cheese's salty tang.

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Quick Stovetop Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese

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Precut butternut squash in your grocery store's produce section makes this healthy mac and cheese recipe come together in a flash. For extra flavor, try smoked Gouda cheese.

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Quick Stovetop Mac & Cheese with Peas

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Fresh basil and green peas give this healthy mac and cheese recipe a pretty green hue. We like the buttery, nutty flavor of fontina, but provolone, Gruyère or Gouda could be used as a substitute.

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Creamy Mac & Cheese Soup

Creamy Mac & Cheese Soup

A package of frozen pureed winter squash adds sweetness and good nutrition--namely vitamin A, potassium and fiber--to this soup version of a family favorite, mac and cheese. It also lends its orange color to the soup, making it seem cheesier without actually adding more cheese. Feel free to swap in your favorite shape of medium-size pasta for the elbow macaroni. Using convenience items like the frozen squash means that this healthy kid-friendly dinner takes just 30 minutes to prep.

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One-Pot Mac & Cheese with Cauliflower & Brussels Sprouts

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Taking a minute to sizzle some garlic in olive oil is a simple way to pep up the cheese sauce for this easy homemade mac and cheese, and the flavor plays well with the cauliflower and Brussels sprouts in this family-friendly pasta dish. This recipe is designed for you to make a big batch of the cheese sauce to use in different dishes: Stir it into pasta and veggies to make this pasta a one-pot dinner then use it for Cheesy Beef Enchilada Casserole later in the week (see Associated Recipes). Or simply serve it over your favorite steamed vegetables for an easy side dish. If you'd rather make just enough sauce for this pasta, simply cut the sauce amounts in half.

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Cauliflower Mac & Cheese

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There's no pasta here, but this gluten-free and low-carb cauliflower "mac & cheese" is as comforting and creamy as your family's favorite cheesy dish.

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Pressure-Cooker Mac & Cheese

Pressure-Cooker Mac & Cheese

Make a healthier version of classic macaroni and cheese with this recipe that adds broccoli for a nutritional boost and an easy way to eat more vegetables. Using an electric pressure cooker, such as the InstantPot, gets dinner on the table in just 30 minutes.

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Quick Stovetop Mac & Cheese with Broccoli Rabe

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A swirl of prepared pesto gives this healthy mac and cheese recipe instant delicious flavor. If broccoli rabe is too bitter, try using broccolini or regular broccoli instead.

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Butternut Squash Chickpea Mac & Cheese

Butternut Squash Chickpea Mac & Cheese

This gluten-free butternut squash mac and cheese packs plenty of cheesy goodness in every bite. Chickpea pasta gets coated in a sauce made with pureed butternut squash that gives this comforting meal a nutrient boost and adds a sweet note to complement the savory flavors.

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3-Ingredient Broccoli Mac & Cheese with Rotisserie Chicken

3-Ingredient Chicken-Broccoli Mac and Cheese
Carolyn Hodges

Transform a box of macaroni and cheese for an easy weeknight dinner. Use frozen broccoli, steamed in the microwave, to cut down on prep time. Opt for chickpea-based macaroni and cheese for a boost of protein and fiber.

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Quick Stovetop Mac & Cheese with Kohlrabi

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If you like cabbage or broccoli stems, you'll love the flavor kohlrabi gives to this healthy mac and cheese recipe. To make this vegetarian, skip the salami and top with toasted nuts or herbs.

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Quick Stovetop Mac & Cheese with Red Beets

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Red beets give this healthy mac and cheese recipe a pink hue. If that's a little too much for you, try using yellow beets instead.

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No-Bake Macaroni & Cheese

No-Bake Macaroni & Cheese

Not only is this ultra-creamy version of mac-and-cheese nearly as fast as the boxed variety, but your family will be able to pronounce every ingredient. If they aren't broccoli fans, substitute a frozen vegetable of your choice.

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