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20 ways to maximize your mac ‘n cheese

This melty collection of mac ‘n cheese ideas will take your mac from popular to legendary, from spiced up to smoked up to fried up in bites, sliced up as pizza, folded up in a quesadilla and more. Plus, get the recipe for jambalaya mac.

Tara Fitzpatrick, Senior Editor

October 4, 2022

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Mac ‘n cheese is a surefire, popular menu item—and for good reason—but with the latest and greatest new ideas, flavors, toppings and cheeses, this American casserole can become legendary, your signature dish and culinary calling card. With cozy fall and early winter vibes on the horizon, now’s the time to maximize the appeal of your mac.

We found examples of classic-in-the-making mac ‘n cheese variations that incorporate brisket, chili, veggies, smoky spices, crispy crusts and more, baked until bubbly. What’s more, check out the mac mash-ups, like the classic chili-mac, a mac ‘n cheese quesadilla, a flatbread with Greek influence, a closely guarded secret recipe with new twists, a mac ‘n cheese pizza, the amazing jambalaya mac and more. Southwest flavors, smoky spices, spicy chiles and yes, bacon, are all ready to take your mac to the max, all built on the cheesy, melty foundation we all know and love.

About the Author

Tara Fitzpatrick

Senior Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group

Tara Fitzpatrick is Food Management’s senior editor and a contributor to Restaurant Hospitality and Nation’s Restaurant News, creating editorial content for digital, print and events. Tara holds a bachelor of science degree from the School of Journalism and Mass Communications at Kent State University. Before joining Food Management in 2008, Tara was associate editor at National Association of College Stores in Oberlin, Ohio. Prior to that, Tara worked as a newspaper reporter in her hometown of Lorain, Ohio, where she lives now. Tara is a fan of food history, legends, lore, ghost stories, urban farming and old cookbooks. 

Tara Fitzpatrick’s areas of expertise include the onsite foodservice industry (K-12 schools, colleges and universities, healthcare and B&I), menu trends, sustainability in foodservice, senior dining, farm-to-table and innovation.

Tara Fitzpatrick is a frequent webinar and podcast host and has served on the board of directors for IFEC (International Food Editors Consortium).

Tara Fitzpatrick’s experience:

Senior Editor, Food Management (Feb 2008-present)

Associate Editor, National Association of College Stores (2005-2008)

Reporter, The Morning Journal (2002-2005)

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tara-fitzpatrick-4a08451/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Tara_Fitzie

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/tarafitzie/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tara.y.fitzpatrick

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