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Who doesn’t love mac & cheese? I certainly do! I think what I love most about it is that it’s delicious, whether you whip up a quick box of Velveeta mac & cheese or make the homemade kind in your oven. It’s always my favorite side at a barbecue!

No matter what kind of mac you prefer, the only thing in the whole world that can make it better is your favorite topping(s). That’s why I put together this bar with all the best mac & cheese toppings! There’s a little something for everyone’s tastes.

For other party bar ideas, try my Nacho Toppings Bar, Chili Toppings Bar, Grilled Cheese Bar, Pizza Toppings Bar, and Mashed Potato Bar. 

Mac & Cheese: A Short History

Most of us might consider mac & cheese to be purely American, and maybe the version we all think of so fondly is! But the dish has much older roots. There’s evidence of a layered cheese and pasta combo all the way back in ancient Rome. By the 14th century, a similar dish named “makerouns” was documented in recipe collections from England. 

By the mid-18th century, macaroni, with the additions of a white sauce and Gruyère cheese, had become popular in France. How did it get to the States? Well, the story goes that James Hemings cemented its popularity among the American elite. Hemings was an enslaved man whom Thomas Jefferson brought to Paris to study the culinary arts. It is thought to be one of the dishes he brought home with him and served often for Jefferson. 

The dish became more accessible in the early 20th century with the birth of mass-produced pasta and Kraft’s Depression-era boxed mac & cheese. 

Throughout the dish’s evolution, Black American cooks have been instrumental in refining and popularizing it, embedding it deeply into American and Soul Food traditions.

For a more in-depth look, check out Epicurious’s comprehensive history.

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Easy Mac & Cheese Recipe 

The most important element of this mac & cheese bar is the mac & cheese! Pick your favorite, whether that’s Kraft boxed mac & cheese or grandma’s secret recipe. I make mine in a crock pot, so it’s easy to keep it warm, but here are some of my favorite recipes:

Slow Cooker

This is my favorite way to make mac & cheese for this toppings bar because you can keep it warm for hours! It’s got a super melty, silky texture, but the best part is that you can set it and forget it while you prep the rest.

Try this Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese from allrecipes.

Oven

I love baked mac because it gets a delicious layer of bubbly cheese on top, and it’s ooey, gooey, and perfectly tender underneath. If you have a smaller gathering where the mac will go fast, this could be ideal for you! Plus, you can get a lot done while it bakes.

Try this recipe from @Eatwitzo or this one from Epicurious.

Stove top

I love boxed mac or even homemade mac on the stove when I’m making it for dinner, but it’s probably the least ideal method for a bar because you have to monitor it a lot more closely. Still delicious! 

Try this 5-Ingredient Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese from TheKitchn.

Best Pasta for Mac & Cheese

The key to good mac & cheese is the pasta shape! Think about it: have you ever seen mac & cheese with spaghetti? Nope! The shape of the pasta is crucial for holding onto all that cheese goodness, that’s why macaroni is so popular! The cheese sauce gets into each nook and cranny, which makes for a perfectly cheesy bite every time. Instead of macaroni (elbows), try:

• Cavatappi
• Orrechiette
• Shells
• Rotelle
• Campanelle

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How To Make a Mac & Cheese Bar

I’ve put all my favorite mac & cheese toppings all on one board!

Ingredients

• Truffle salt
• Creole seasoning
• Chopped fresh parsley
• Chopped fresh chives
• Cooked peas
• Crumbled bacon
• Crab meat
• Sliced button mushrooms, sautéed
• Blue cheese crumbles
• Cooked hot dogs, sliced
• Ritz Crackers
• Fried onions
• Hot Cheetos
• Sliced jalanpeños
• Halved cherry tomatoes
• Blanched broccoli florets
• Your favorite mac & cheese
• Hot sauce

Directions

1. Place the truffle salt, Creole seasoning, parsley, chives, peas, bacon, crab, mushrooms, and blue cheese in small bowls or ramekins. 
2. Add the ramekins of truffle salt and creole seasoning in the bottom left corner of the board. To the bottom right corner of the board, add the hot dogs, a row of Ritz, a pile of fried onions, and a row of Hot Cheetos. 
3. Along the left side of the board, add the jalapeños above the ramekins, then add the tomatoes and broccoli in separate sections.  
4. Place the chives in the corner with the ramekins, then place the bowls of parsley and blue cheese in the center. Add the bowl of peas to the right side of the board above the Cheetos. 
5. Arrange the bowls of mushrooms, bacon, and crab around the other bowls in the center of the board.
6. Serve the mac and cheese and hot sauce on the side. 

Pro tip: make this board vegan by whipping up your favorite vegan mac & cheese and see my list of topping variations below to swap in for all the meat and cheese!

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Mac & Cheese Topping Variations

There are a lot of toppings out there that are just as delicious, but I didn’t have room for them! Like:

Mix-ins

• Canned tuna
• Hamburger meat
• Italian sausage
• Spinach
• Lobster
• Chicken
• Pulled pork
• Butternut Squash
• Tofu
• Jackfruit

Toppings

• Sliced scallions
• Pickled red onions
• Pimentos
• Toasted panko
• Hatch green chiles
• Minced garlic
• Old Bay Seasoning
• Taco seasoning
• Crispy chickpeas
• Goldfish crackers
• Crushed pretzels
• Crushed potato chips or veggie straws

Sauces

• BBQ
• Ranch
• Buffalo sauce
• Sriracha
• Ketchup

Extra Cheese

• Shredded mozzarella
• Shredded cheddar
• Parmesan sprinkles

Pro tip: If you are gluten-free or want to skip the pasta, you can also make cauliflower mac & cheese and still serve all these killer mix-ins! 

How To Serve Mac & Cheese

With most of my “Build-Your-Own” bars, I like to serve them family style so folks can make their own creations at their own speed. That’s what I recommend here as well! That said, for a larger gathering, it might be easier to pre-serve the mac & cheese into separate vessels.

Guests can still choose their DIY toppings, but they won’t hold up the line by piling mac onto their plates. Plus, it makes it easier to gauge how many people will be able to partake! 

In terms of vessels, I like to provide small bowls or jars! You can also use plates–or really anything that will hold all those cheesy noodles.

How to Reheat Mac & Cheese

While microwaving is the best for reheating small portions, reheating in a batch all depends on how you cooked it to start! 

If you made stove-top or slow cooker mac: reheat it on the stove, breaking up any larger clumps, and add some milk. Cover and cook on medium-low, then stir in more cheese and/or butter for added creaminess. 

If you made it in the oven: cover the baking dish and bake it at 350 until warmed through. For added crispiness, sprinkle on more cheese and bake uncovered for a little longer. Pro tip: if you want to turn stove-top mac into baked mac, now’s your chance! Just make sure you stir in some butter after baking it covered, then definitely add a layer of cheese and bake uncovered until it’s melted and crispy. 

What Goes With Mac & Cheese

I think most things pair well with mac and cheese, but here are my favorites that add a little bit of lightness:

Sides

• Roasted green veggies (like Brussels sprouts, broccoli, green beans, or asparagus)
• Grilled corn
• Cucumber salad
• Broccoli salad
• Green salad (like my Cobb Salad or Italian Chopped Salad)

Drinks

• Sparkling or mineral water
• Sweet tea
• Lemonade
• Lager beer
• Dry, crispy white wine (like sauvignon blanc or an unoaked chardonnay)
• Fruity red wine (like pinot noir)

Show Me Your Mac & Cheese Bar

I hope this post inspires you to make this easy mac & cheese recipe. Nothing makes me happier than seeing the snacks and apps you create from my tips. If you make something inspired by this post, please tag me at @ainttooproudtomeg so I can see and share! 

And, if you liked this recipe, please rate and review.