12 Delicious Leftover Mac and Cheese Recipes (2024)

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12 flavorful and yummy leftover mac and cheese recipes to use up your favorite cheesy and creamy dinner!

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Leftover Mac and Cheese is a regular occurrence in our house with young kids. We have started getting super creative on how to use our leftovers so it’s not the same old thing every night.

Plus, macaroni and cheese can lose its cheesy flavor the next night and you need something with more flavors to bring it back to life!

I’ve put together 12 leftover mac and cheese recipes to make dinner that much more enjoyable – and easy to make! Just make extras and enjoy these recipes the day after.

How Long is Leftover Mac and Cheese Good For?

Macaroni and cheese will stay fresh in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days when properly stored in an airtight container.

Other Leftover Recipe Options:

  • What to do with leftover pumpkin pie filling
  • Leftover steak recipes
  • Leftover taco meat recipes

How to Make Leftover Mac and Cheese Creamy Again

Macaroni and cheese can lose a lot of its flavor the next day, so it’s important to turn it back creamy and flavorful when eating it as leftovers.

The best way to revive mac and cheese is to do 2 things when reheating it:

  1. Add 1 tablespoon of butter (more if reheating a bunch)
  2. Add 1 tablespoon of milk per plate of mac and cheese

You can also add additional shredded cheddar cheese to add more of a cheesy flavor the next day.

Add these before reheating for the best results.

Try one of my three favorite mac and cheese recipes!

  • Easy Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese
  • 5-Ingredient Instant Pot Macaroni and Cheese
  • Mac and Cheese with Cream Cheese

Here are 12 options on what to do with leftover mac and cheese!

12 Delicious Leftover Mac and Cheese Recipes (2)

12 Creamy Leftover Mac and Cheese Recipes

Delicious and flavorful ways to use up leftover mac and cheese for your next dinner!

12 Delicious Leftover Mac and Cheese Recipes (3)

Mac and Cheese Bites In The Air Fryer

You won’t believe how easy it is to make mac and cheese bites in the air fryer! They’re crispy, golden, & full of melty cheese.

12 Delicious Leftover Mac and Cheese Recipes (4)

Macaroni and Cheese Stuffed Acorn Squash

Cheesy homemade macaroni and cheese stuffed inside a buttery roasted acorn squash. It's a great way to revive leftover mac and cheese with new flavors!

Two classic childhood favorites come together in this cheesy, gooey, pepperoni-topped, and noodle-filled baked skillet. Ready in just 30 minutes, this easy Pepperoni Mac and Cheese Skillet Recipe is guaranteed to have your kids begging for more!

12 Delicious Leftover Mac and Cheese Recipes (6)

Photo Credit:www.scatteredthoughtsofacraftymom.com

Easy Mac and Cheese Pizza Recipe

Macaroni and cheese plus pizza? Oh yes, we did! This 10 Minute Mac and Cheese Pizza recipe is a super quick and easy dinner idea the kids will love!

12 Delicious Leftover Mac and Cheese Recipes (7)

Photo Credit:www.simplystacie.net

Mac and Cheese Cups Recipe

Comfort food in a cup! The perfect cozy, cheesy side dish, but handheld for appetizers and tailgating.

12 Delicious Leftover Mac and Cheese Recipes (8)

Photo Credit:inmamamaggieskitchen.com

Mexican Fried Mac and Cheese

Mexican Fried Mac and Cheese Balls are slightly addictive and a great way to use up mac and cheese leftovers. Serve with salsa for dipping and enjoy!

A comforting vegan shepherd's pie topped with creamy mac and cheese! Use leftover mac and cheese to make this quick twist on a classic.

12 Delicious Leftover Mac and Cheese Recipes (10)

Photo Credit:vegandollhouse.com

Vegan Mac n Cheese Donuts

These mac n cheese donuts are a fun way to use up leftover mac n cheese. Since they bake in the oven, they are easy and healthy.

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Photo Credit:www.upstateramblings.com

Air Fryer Mac and Cheese Bites

Turn macaroni and cheese into a bite-sized party food with this recipe for air fryer mac and cheese bites. They are crispy on the edges and soft and creamy in the middle.

12 Delicious Leftover Mac and Cheese Recipes (12)

Photo Credit:www.plattertalk.com

Crispy Shells Casserole

This leftover casserole recipe can easily be modified to use leftover mac and cheese as the pasta.

12 Delicious Leftover Mac and Cheese Recipes (13)

Photo Credit:www.fearlessdining.com

Gluten Free Fried Mac and Cheese Bites

These gluten-free Mac and Cheese Bites are crispy on the outside and cheesy on the inside. They are a great way to use up leftover mac and cheese!

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Photo Credit:vegandollhouse.com

Mac-n-Cheese Hearts

These fried mac n cheese hearts are a delicious and fun way to use up leftover mac n cheese.

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Yield: 4 servings

12 Leftover Mac and Cheese Recipes

12 Delicious Leftover Mac and Cheese Recipes (16)

12 delicious and flavorful ways to use up leftover mac and cheese.

Prep Time5 minutes

Cook Time40 minutes

Total Time45 minutes

Ingredients

  • 4 Acorn Squashes
  • 5 tablespoons of butter, divided
  • 4 cups of leftover mac and cheese
  • 2 tablespoons of milk (more if needed)

Optional

  • Shredded cheddar cheese
  • Breadcrumbs

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.
  2. Cut tops of acorn squash off. Scoop out seeds and pulp leaving about 1-2
    inches on the sides and bottom. Place acorn squashes on a baking sheet.
  3. Melt 3 tablespoons of butter in the microwave then use a basting brush to spread butter on top and inside of each acorn squash.
  4. Bake squash for 40-50 minutes, until tender with a fork.
  5. While the acorn squash is baking, reheat the macaroni and cheese by adding in the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and milk, then reheat in the microwave, stirring a few times when cooking.
  6. Remove the acorn squash from the oven, scoop 1 cup of macaroni and cheese into each acorn squash and enjoy!
  7. Optional: Top with breadcrumbs, shredded cheddar cheese, and broil for 2 minutes, if desired.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving:Calories: 679Total Fat: 34gSaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 3gUnsaturated Fat: 16gCholesterol: 52mgSodium: 893mgCarbohydrates: 83gFiber: 12gSugar: 9gProtein: 15g

This nutrition information is based on the exact products I used in this recipe. Brands and sizes of products could alter exact nutrition and should always be calculated independently.

Did you make this recipe?

Share a photo on Instagram tagging @EverydayFamilyCooking! I love to see your pictures!

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About Samantha

I’ve always had a love of cooking and creating new recipes, so it only made sense to create a food blog so I could share those recipes with you. This site is designed to provide easy and flavorful recipes with as little ingredients as possible. That means you still get great flavor combinations without all that extra time and effort. Read more...

12 Delicious Leftover Mac and Cheese Recipes (2024)

FAQs

How do you make leftover mac and cheese good again? ›

How to Reheat Mac and Cheese on the Stove
  1. Add the mac and cheese and one tablespoon of milk (per cup of mac and cheese) to a saucepan or pot.
  2. Heat the mac and cheese over medium heat, breaking it up with a wooden spoon.
  3. Cook for about 5 minutes, or until heated through.
Jan 12, 2024

How does Gordon Ramsay make the best mac and cheese? ›

Gordon Ramsay's mac and cheese is a simplified recipe. Just boil pasta in milk and then, add butter, cheese, salt, and pepper to it. Merge all the elements and Gordon Ramsay's mac and cheese will be ready in no time.

How long is leftover mac and cheese good for? ›

Tips For Storing And Eating Leftover Macaroni And Cheese

In general, leftovers stored in a refrigerator set at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or lower should be eaten within three to four days, according to the USDA. If you can't eat it within that time frame, transfer it to the freezer at 0 degrees Fahrenheit.

How to fancy up mac and cheese? ›

8 Ways to Elevate Your Macaroni and Cheese Dinners
  1. Add extra cheese to your dish.
  2. Mix in some hot sauce and chicken to make buffalo chicken mac n' cheese.
  3. Add in vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower and spinach.
  4. Sprinkle some bacon bits or breadcrumbs on the top of your dish.
  5. Add spices and fresh herbs to your dish.
May 21, 2022

How to keep mac and cheese creamy? ›

You want equal amounts of butter and flour by weight. This is key. Throw in too much flour, and sure the sauce might get thick, but it also might taste floury and be lumpy. Even if you get the roux right, use too much or reduce your sauce down too far, and the macaroni and cheese will turn out dry.

Can you eat cold leftover mac and cheese? ›

Taste and texture: Cold mac and cheese can have a different taste and texture compared to when it's heated. The cheese may be firmer and less creamy, and the pasta could be harder and less enjoyable to eat. Reheating it can help restore the desired texture and enhance the flavors.

What are the 3 best cheeses for mac and cheese? ›

What Is the Best Cheese for Mac and Cheese? Sharp cheddar is the overwhelming popular choice, but for extra-creamy results, we think medium cheddar is even better. Other delicious options include Gruyère, smoked Gouda, and Monterey Jack.

What does Gordon Ramsay put in his mac and cheese? ›

Ingredients
  1. 1 lb small elbow pasta.
  2. 4 cups whole milk.
  3. 8 tablespoons unsalted butter.
  4. 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese.
  5. 2 teaspoons kosher salt.
  6. ½ teaspoon ground black pepper.
  7. 2 cups bacon bits.
  8. ½ cup bread crumbs, toasted.
May 4, 2023

How do you keep mac and cheese creamy when reheated? ›

For an individual serving or small amounts, use the microwave or stovetop. For larger amounts of frozen mac and cheese, use the oven or toaster oven. For all methods, to keep the mac and cheese from drying out, stir 1 tablespoon milk into each 1 cup mac and cheese before reheating.

Can I eat 7 day old leftovers? ›

Leftovers can be kept for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. After that, the risk of food poisoning goes up. If you don't think you'll be able to eat leftovers within four days, freeze them right away.

Can you eat 7 day old mac and cheese? ›

Store mac & cheese in the fridge for no more than 4 days. Keep at the same temp! Moisture can collect inside the container when temperature change occurs.

What not to do when making mac and cheese? ›

The 5 Biggest Mac & Cheese Mistakes
  1. Using Only Cheddar cheese. Because macaroni and cheese is English in origin, you might be tempted to make it with only cheddar cheese. ...
  2. Not Adding Spice and Seasoning with Salt. The flavor of the cheese is enhanced with spice. ...
  3. Choosing the Wrong Pasta. ...
  4. Overcooking. ...
  5. Skimping on the Toppings.
May 21, 2020

What is the best flavor to add to mac and cheese? ›

Black Pepper: Always a must! Nutmeg: This is also optional but trust me, a dash of it goes a long way to balance the tangy cheese flavor and all the fats. Cayenne Powder: A little sprinkle makes all the difference. It does not make this spicy – it just balances the flavors.

What to put in a box of mac and cheese to make it better? ›

It's very easy to adapt. We like to ad cream cheese and/or sour cream, a little spicy brown mustard, and whatever cheese we have on hand. Sometimes we ad ground beef, ground turkey, sliced ot dogs or bacon, but its the rits topping on the top that makes it sooo good.

Can you save mac and cheese for the next day? ›

Everyone's favorite comfort food can be made up to 4 days ahead of time.

How do you fix clumpy mac and cheese? ›

Whisk Vigorously: If your cheese sauce becomes clumpy, remove it from the heat immediately and whisk it vigorously. This can help break up the clumps and restore a smoother consistency [2]. Strain the Sauce: If the clumps persist, you can strain the sauce through a sieve to remove any remaining lumps.

How to fix curdled mac and cheese? ›

Add a splash of the sauce's base liquid – if it's a milk-based sauce, for example, pour in a few teaspoons of cold milk. You may also add a splash of wine, beer or cream. Whisk the sauce vigorously for about 10 seconds; this may be enough to repair a cheese sauce that's just beginning to curdle.

Does mac and cheese taste better the next day? ›

Macaroni and cheese is the perfect comfort dish that is even tastier the next day — that's why we love when we have leftovers! The only problem? All too often the cheesy goodness we love turns into a congealed glob.

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