Chefs' Takes on the Gooiest Mac and Cheese Ever — Comfort Food Feast

When you have a hankering for some serious comfort, a bowl of steamy macaroni and cheese is perhaps the only way to go.
Macaroni and Cheese

When you have a hankering for some serious comfort, a bowl of steamy macaroni and cheese is perhaps the only way to go. But before you put a from-the-box take on mac on the stove — or, dare we say, in the microwave — stir together a cheesy, comforting bowl of macaroni and cheese the from-scratch way. These mac and cheese recipes from your favorite Food Network chefs should help the cause.

The best things in life don't need to be fiddled with, and Tyler Florence's recipe for classic  Macaroni and Cheese is creamy, dreamy proof. With elbow macaroni, grated cheddar, and a little depth from dry mustard and thyme, Tyler's dish is a go-to recipe to have in your arsenal.

Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Baked Macaroni and Cheese; Alton Brown

Photo by: Tara Donne

Tara Donne

While some people grew up with mac and cheese stirred together on the stovetop, Alton Brown's Baked Macaroni and Cheese is the best thing to scoop out of your casserole dish. Made with elbow macaroni and cheddar, Alton's recipe comes with a buttery panko breadcrumb topping that crisps up in the oven.

Ina Garten's Mac and Cheese

Barefoot Contessa's Mac and Cheese

Photo by: Tara Donne ©Food Network

Tara Donne, Food Network

Sure, becoming an adult is tough, but Ina Garten's grown-up mac and cheese adds a little elegance to the comfort food staple. Top-rated Mac and Cheese depends on extra-sharp cheddar and nutty Gruyère, and layers on sliced fresh tomatoes and homemade breadcrumbs.

Slow-Cooker Mac and Cheese

FN_Slow_Cooker_Macaroni_Cheese

Slow cooker macaroni cheese served in a blue bowl.

Photo by: Marshall Troy ©2012, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Marshall Troy, 2012, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

For a cheesy recipe that comes together in the slow cooker from start to finish, go for Trisha Yearwood's Slow-Cooker Macaroni and Cheese. Grate cheddar cheese by the brick and add in evaporated milk for your richest recipe yet. Like you needed another reason to love your slow cooker, right?

Spicy Macaroni and Cheese

If you're the kind of person who drowns a pure bowl of macaroni and cheese with hot sauce, then Sunny Anderson's Spicy Macaroni and Cheese is probably your best bet. This spicy and comforting dish has a spike of cayenne pepper mingling with cheddar, Colby and pepper Jack cheeses. Topped with toasted bread cubes, it's the most-warming casserole yet.

Get more mac and cheese recipes from family and friends:

The Heritage Cook:  Gluten-Free Cream Cheesy Risotto

Daisy at Home:  Squasheroni and Cheese

Napa Farmhouse 1885:  Cauliflower and Veggie "Mac" & Cheese

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