🧀 Easy Made Thanksgiving Mac and Cheese Delight – Creamy, Golden

Thanksgiving Mac and Cheese Delight ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4.9 from holiday hosts and cheese lovers)
🍂 Rich & Creamy | 🦃 Holiday-Perfect | 💛 Crowd-Pleasing

When Thanksgiving rolls around, this Mac and Cheese Delight deserves a front-row seat on your dinner table. It’s everything you love about classic mac and cheese—gooey, creamy, and irresistibly cheesy—but with a festive twist that pairs beautifully with turkey, stuffing, and all your favorite sides.

It’s the dish everyone reaches for first—and asks for the recipe later!

Why You’ll Love This Thanksgiving Mac and Cheese Delight

⏱️ Prep Time: 15 minutes
🔥 Bake Time: 30 minutes
🍽️ Serves: 8–10
💰 Cost: Around $10
🧀 Flavor: Creamy, rich, and perfectly seasoned
🦃 Perfect For: Holiday feasts, potlucks, and family gatherings

Ingredients – The Creamy, Cheesy Essentials

• 1 pound elbow macaroni (or cavatappi)
• 4 tbsp butter
• 1 tsp salt
• 4 cups whole milk (or half-and-half for extra creaminess)
• 4 tbsp all-purpose flour
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp paprika
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs (for topping)
• 3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded Gruyère or Monterey Jack cheese
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• ½ tsp garlic powder (optional)
• 2 tbsp melted butter (for topping)

Optional add-ins:
🧅 ½ cup caramelized onions
🥓 ½ cup crispy bacon bits
🌿 1 tbsp fresh thyme or sage for a cozy holiday touch

How to Make Thanksgiving Mac and Cheese Delight

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

Boil the pasta in salted water until just al dente (about 7–8 minutes). Drain and set aside.

Step 2: Make the Cheese Sauce

In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute. Slowly add milk while whisking until smooth and thickened (about 5 minutes). Stir in salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder.

Step 3: Add the Cheese

Remove from heat and stir in cheddar, Gruyère, and Parmesan until melted and silky. Add the cooked pasta and stir to coat evenly in the sauce.

Step 4: Assemble and Bake

Pour the mac and cheese into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. In a small bowl, mix panko breadcrumbs with melted butter and sprinkle on top.

Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25–30 minutes, until the top is golden brown and bubbling.

How to Serve It

🦃 With roasted turkey and gravy – for a rich, creamy side that balances the meal
🥦 Next to green beans or Brussels sprouts – for a cozy contrast
🍽️ On its own – because honestly, it steals the show every time

What Everyone’s Saying

“This was the star of my Thanksgiving dinner. Creamy, cheesy perfection!”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – Hannah W.

“Forget turkey—I came back for seconds of the mac and cheese!”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – James P.

“I added crispy bacon and thyme—amazing flavor!”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – Maya L.

Thanksgiving Mac and Cheese Delight – Creamy, Cheesy & Perfectly Golden

This Thanksgiving Mac and Cheese Delight is the ultimate comfort dish for the holidays. Creamy, cheesy pasta baked with a crunchy golden topping, it’s rich, indulgent, and full of flavor. Perfect as a side for your Thanksgiving feast or any cozy family dinner, this recipe blends classic cheddar with a touch of creaminess and a buttery breadcrumb topping for the perfect balance of gooey and cris

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Course: Holiday, Side Dish

Cuisine: American, Comfort Food

Calories: 420

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

For the Mac and Cheese:

• 12 oz elbow macaroni or pasta of choice
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 3 cups milk whole or 2%
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder optional
• 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded Gruyère or mozzarella cheese
• ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard optional, for extra flavor

For the Topping:

• ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons butter melted
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon paprika optional

Equipment

• 9×13-inch baking dish
• Saucepan
• Whisk
• Mixing spoon
• Small bowl for topping

Method

 

1. Cook the Pasta – Boil pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. Make the Cheese Sauce – In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour to form a roux and cook 1–2 minutes. Gradually add milk, whisking constantly until smooth and slightly thickened. Stir in salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Dijon mustard. Remove from heat and fold in cheddar and Gruyère until melted and creamy.
3. Combine Pasta and Sauce – Add cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and stir until evenly coated.
4. Prepare Topping – In a small bowl, mix panko breadcrumbs, melted butter, Parmesan, and paprika.
5. Assemble and Bake – Pour mac and cheese into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle breadcrumb mixture evenly over the top. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20–25 minutes, until bubbly and golden.
6. Serve – Let cool for 5 minutes before serving for a perfect cheesy pull.

Notes

Make Ahead:
Assemble and refrigerate overnight; bake when ready to serve.

Cheese Variations:
Mix cheddar, Gouda, or Fontina for extra depth.

Add-Ins:
Cooked bacon, caramelized onions, or roasted butternut squash can be stirred in for a festive twist.

Creamier Option:
Stir in ¼ cup cream cheese or sour cream into the sauce before baking.

FAQ – Thanksgiving Mac and Cheese Delight

💡 Note

For an extra Thanksgiving twist, top with a sprinkle of crispy fried onions or crumbled cornbread stuffing before baking. It adds flavor, crunch, and a festive touch everyone will rave about.

Keep the festive flavors going with Cristal Recipes’ Moist Pumpkin Muffins as a cozy dessert to follow your mac and cheese.