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    105 Toppings for Your Mac and Cheese

    Mar 20, 2019 · 2 Comments

    Jump to Recipe

    Here are lots of mac and cheese topping ideas for setting up a mac and cheese bar! It's the perfect meal for big get togethers because it's fun, interactive, and customizable. Plus, who doesn't love mac and cheese?

    Macaroni and cheese bar topping ideas

    I love mac and cheese. I especially like it jazzed-up with toppings. ESPECIALLY if it's like a build-your-own toppings bar kind of set up.

    Not only is a mac and cheese bar a good way to make all the people happy, it's easy to get your whole meal in a bowl. And when you can fit your entire meal into a single bowl, you're winning at life.

    Mix and match, use what you have on hand, or get totally wild and fancy. There's really no way to go wrong when you're loading up a bowl of mac and cheese!

    How To Set Up A Mac + Cheese Bar

    Setting up a mac and cheese bar is easy and can mostly be done in advance! It's a perfect meal for big get togethers because it's fun, interactive, and customizable. Plus, who doesn't love mac and cheese? To set up your own mac and cheese toppings bar you'll need to:

    1. Make the mac and cheese. Frozen, homemade, or stovetop will all work here!
    2. Prep the toppings + put them in bowls. Pretty much every topping can be prepped and plated ahead of time. Just refrigerate or store until you're ready to put it out.
    3. Set out bowls, forks, and napkins. I love using small bowls so people can get smaller servings and try lots of different toppings combinations as they go back for more. If you want to use disposable, these ice cream cups are the perfect size!

    How Much Mac + Cheese Per Person

    Plan for about 2 cups of mac and cheese per person for a mac and cheese toppings bar. Since mac and cheese is the main dish, you'll need more than if it were just a side - but keep in mind that people do tend to be heavy-handed with the toppings when there are so many good options!

    If you're making my favorite mac + cheese, it'll make a good amount for 4 adults, likely with some leftovers.

    Keeping Mac + Cheese Warm

    You - of course - want your mac and cheese warm for your mac and cheese bar! Here are a couple ways to do this:

    For baked mac + cheese: A chaffing dish will work, or you can bake the mac and cheese in a dish with a lid and keep the lid on when not in use. mac and cheese retains heat really well, so it should stay hot for about half an hour just from keeping the lid on.

    For stovetop mac and cheese: Once it's done cooking, transfer to a slow cooker and keep it on “warm”. Stir it occasionally and add a splash of milk if it seems like it’s starting to dry out. 

    Toppings For A Mac And Cheese Bar:

    Meats + Proteins

    I like to have 2-3 meat options for a mac and cheese bar. Bacon is the obvious choice, but you really can't go wrong with any of these! All meats should be cooked and diced/sliced (if needed).

    Bacon
    Pulled pork
    Pepperoni
    Buffalo chicken
    Ground beef
    Ham
    Sausage
    Hot dog
    Lobster
    Ground turkey
    Roast beef
    Proscuitto
    Chorizo
    Grilled chicken
    Shrimp
    Taco meat
    Kielbasa
    Popcorn chicken
    Smoked turkey
    Fried egg

    Produce

    In the name of health! Put some veggies on your mac and cheese! Just kidding, these are delicious.

    Steamed broccoli
    Roasted cauliflower
    Roasted red pepper
    Chopped green onion
    Chopped red onion
    Chopped fresh garlic
    Roasted garlic
    Diced jalapeño
    Charred Brussels sprouts
    Diced tomatoes
    Sautéed asparagus
    Sautéed mushrooms
    Sautéed green beans
    Caramelized onions
    Fried cabbage
    Roasted butternut squash
    Diced avocado
    Sautéed kale
    Wilted spinach
    Edamame
    Fresh mushrooms
    Fried leeks
    Fresh arugula
    Collard greens
    Peas
    Coleslaw
    Fried shallots
    Bean sprouts

    Condiments & Sauces

    This might be my favorite category of topping. Different condiments and sauces can take your mac and cheese in a whole different direction.

    Barbecue sauce
    Buffalo sauce
    Pesto
    Hot sauce
    Bacon-onion jam
    Salsa
    Salsa verde
    Sour cream
    Bruschetta
    Chili
    Pico de gallo
    Chimichurri
    Guacamole
    Horseradish
    Sriracha
    Ketchup
    Mustard
    Ranch

    Canned

    So many good toppings in the canned aisle! Just chop (if needed) and transfer to a cute bowl.

    Artichoke hearts
    Olives
    Capers
    Diced green chiles
    Sundried tomatoes
    Pickled onion
    Chipotles in adobo
    Baked beans
    Black beans
    White beans

    Cheese

    If you've never put extra cheese on top of your mac and cheese, you are missing out!

    Blue cheese crumbles
    Feta
    Goat cheese
    Cotija
    Pepper jack
    Parmesan
    Asiago
    Mozzarella
    Gouda

    Crunchy

    It's nice to have a few different crunchy topping options for mac and cheese for a variety in texture.

    Homemade breadcrumbs
    Croutons
    Crushed Ritz crackers
    Panko
    Toasted pine nuts
    Crushed potato chips
    Chopped almonds

    Herbs and Spices

    Some extra flavorings that can really bump your mac and cheese bowl to the next level.

    Himalayan salt
    Cracked black pepper
    Garlic powder
    Crushed red pepper flakes
    Cilantro
    Chili powder
    Fresh basil
    Sage
    Fresh tarragon
    Smoked paprika
    Ground nutmeg
    Fresh chives
    Dried oregano
    Fresh dill

    Macaroni and cheese bar

    Some favorite combinations:

    Bacon + Brussels sprouts + tomato + homemade breadcrumbs

    Hot dog + barbecue sauce + crushed jalapeño potato chips + sliced jalapeño

    Buffalo chicken + blue cheese crumbles + green onions + cilantro

    Ham + peas + crushed Ritz crackers + nutmeg

    Fresh garlic + fresh basil + roasted red pepper + toasted pine nuts

    mac and cheese toppings for a diy mac and cheese bar
    Macaroni and cheese bar topping ideas
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    5 from 2 votes

    The Best Mac + Cheese Bar EVER

    Here are lots of mac and cheese topping ideas for setting up a mac and cheese bar! Most toppings can be prepped in advance and mac and cheese bars are a perfect meal for big get togethers because they're fun, interactive, and customizable. Plus, who doesn't love mac and cheese?
    Prep Time1 hr
    Cook Time30 mins
    Total Time1 hr 30 mins
    Course: Dinner, Lunch, Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 4
    Author: Mandy Jackson

    Ingredients

    • 1 recipe homemade mac and cheese (see note)
    • 8-10 assorted toppings (see list in post)

    Directions

    • Make the mac and cheese according to recipe directions. Keep it warm in a chafing dish or slow cooker. You can also keep the lid on the dish the mac and cheese was baked in and it will stay warm for at least half an hour.
      Prepare toppings and place in bowls. A good starting point is to choose 1-2 toppings from each category (meat/protein, produce, condiments, canned, cheese, crunchy, herbs/spices), but feel free to tweak to your tastes.
      Arrange the mac and cheese and toppings on a bar or table. Let everyone dish out their own mac and cheese and choose their toppings. Discuss at length which combination is best. Enjoy!

    Notes

    Any mac and cheese will work here! If you prefer to use stovetop or frozen, feel free. Plan for about 2 cups of mac and cheese per person. If you're using the recipe listed in the post, you'll want 1 recipe for 4-6 people.
    Did you make this recipe?Mention @itsmandyjackson on instagram so I can admire + share it!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Pam Mitchell says

      June 30, 2023 at 5:27 pm

      Thank you for all of the delicious choices to add to our Mac and Cheese bar. Great suggestions with lots of variations are sure to make everyone happy. 😋

      Reply
      • Keith B Shaver says

        December 29, 2024 at 3:28 pm

        5 stars
        Great ideas but one was missed - - I like peanut butter with my mac n cheese.

        Reply

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    Mandy Jackson

    hi, i'm mandy.

    A regular Midwest homebody. Here, I share recipes we love, and how we're thoughtfully renovating our 100-year-old American foursquare.

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