What's the Best Cheese for Mac and Cheese?

Is it in your favorite recipe?

View Online »

Get the Magazine   Give a Gift

Ask Sarah Q: What's the Best Cheese for Mac and Cheese? Homemade macaroni and cheese is bliss. It's creamy, comforting and totally cheesy. While it's hard not to finish any bowl of mac and cheese, the absolute best cheese to use is the classic: cheddar. Meltability, stretch, age and flavor are important qualities of cheese used for mac and cheese. Cheddar checks all those boxes. It's firm enough to grate, yet creamy enough to melt. Mild, medium and sharp cheddar are lightly aged, so they have some acidity but aren't salty or pungent. Skip extra-sharp because that additional aging makes it more prone to separating and becoming oily when heated. So the next time you're craving homemade mac and cheese, use a recipe that calls for cheddar and experience the difference.

Better with Cheddar   Our Best Cheddar Mac and Cheese Recipe » 56 Recipes That Use Cheddar Cheese »

Check It Out   The 10 Best Cheeses for Melting The best melting cheese becomes creamy and smooth, making your sandwiches, pizzas, pastas and quiches gooey perfection. See Them All » How to Set up a Mac and Cheese Bar A mac and cheese bar creates a delicious, interactive experience where guests can load their cheesy bowls with gourmet toppings, making it perfect for both picky and adventurous eaters. Learn More »

Send us your Recipe Taste of Home receives thousands of recipes from its community of home cooks every year. Before any dish is published, it's approved by the Taste of Home Test Kitchen, where our test cooks and editors make sure it is easy to follow, reliable and absolutely delicious. Here's what our Test Kitchen is looking for now: Breakfast for a Bunch We want to see your overnight bakes, slow-cooker breakfasts, morning tacos and other AM favorites that serve 8 or more! Submit Your Recipe

Know someone who would like this newsletter? Tell them to sign up! 1610 North 2nd Street, Suite 102, Milwaukee, WI 53212

PRIVACY POLICY MANAGE PREFERENCES UNSUBSCRIBE