Introduction

Mac & cheese fits perfectly into winter brunch tables — warm, creamy, familiar, and satisfying. This list brings you hearty pans, skillet bakes, and flavor-packed twists you can enjoy with family or friends. Each recipe is simple, comforting, and ideal for New Year mornings when you want something that feels generous and cozy.

Recipes

1. Classic Cheddar Brunch Mac & Cheese

A timeless brunch choice with a rich, creamy base and simple flavors.

Ingredients

Elbow macaroni: 2 cups
Cheddar cheese (shredded): 2 cups
Milk: 2 cups
Butter: 3 tbsp
Flour: 3 tbsp
Salt: ½ tsp
Black pepper: ¼ tsp

Instructions

Boil macaroni until just tender.
Melt butter, add flour, and whisk for 1 minute.
Pour milk slowly and cook until thick.
Stir in cheddar, salt, and pepper.
Combine with macaroni, transfer to a dish.
Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20 minutes.

How to Serve It

Top with a sprinkle of chives or toasted breadcrumbs.

2. Smoky Bacon Breakfast Mac & Cheese

A savory bake filled with smoky bacon flavor that suits any brunch table.

Ingredients

Macaroni: 2 cups
Cheddar: 1½ cups
Smoked Gouda: 1 cup
Milk: 2 cups
Cooked bacon (chopped): 1 cup
Butter: 3 tbsp
Flour: 3 tbsp
Paprika: ½ tsp
Salt & pepper

Instructions

Cook pasta.
Prepare roux with butter and flour.
Add milk and whisk.
Add cheeses and paprika.
Mix pasta and bacon in.
Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 22 minutes.

How to Serve It

Finish with extra bacon and parsley.

3. Spinach & Feta Brunch Mac Bake

A fresh and tangy skillet bake with balanced flavors.

Ingredients

Macaroni: 2 cups
Feta (crumbled): 1 cup
Mozzarella: 1 cup
Milk: 2 cups
Fresh spinach (chopped): 2 cups
Butter: 3 tbsp
Flour: 3 tbsp
Salt & pepper

Instructions

Cook pasta.
Make creamy base with butter, flour, and milk.
Add mozzarella.
Stir in spinach until wilted.
Combine with pasta and top with feta.
Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 18–20 minutes.

How to Serve It

Add extra feta on top for brightness.

4. Jalapeño Cheddar Mac & Cheese

A mildly spicy brunch option that brings warmth and color.

Ingredients

Macaroni: 2 cups
Cheddar: 2 cups
Cream cheese: 2 tbsp
Milk: 2 cups
Sliced jalapeños: 2
Butter: 3 tbsp
Flour: 3 tbsp
Salt

Instructions

Cook pasta.
Make cheese sauce.
Add jalapeños.
Fold in pasta.
Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20 minutes.

How to Serve It

Top with fresh jalapeños or tortilla crumbs.

5. Garlic Herb Brunch Mac & Cheese

A fragrant dish with simple, comforting herb notes.

Ingredients

Macaroni: 2 cups
Parmesan: ½ cup
Cheddar: 1 cup
Milk: 2 cups
Butter: 3 tbsp
Flour: 3 tbsp
Minced garlic: 1 tbsp
Italian herbs: 1 tsp
Salt & pepper

Instructions

Sauté garlic in butter.
Add flour and whisk.
Pour in milk.
Add cheeses and herbs.
Mix pasta and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 18 minutes.

How to Serve It

Top with fresh parsley.

6. Truffle Brunch Mac & Cheese

An earthy and rich brunch treat.

Ingredients

Macaroni: 2 cups
Gruyère: 1 cup
Cheddar: 1 cup
Milk: 2 cups
Butter: 3 tbsp
Flour: 3 tbsp
Truffle oil: 1–2 tsp
Salt & pepper

Instructions

Make Gruyère-cheddar sauce.
Add truffle oil.
Combine with pasta.
Bake at 380°F (193°C) for 20 minutes.

How to Serve It

Drizzle a touch of truffle oil on top.

7. Ham & Swiss Brunch Mac Bake

A comforting deli-inspired bake.

Ingredients

Macaroni: 2 cups
Swiss cheese: 2 cups
Ham (diced): 1 cup
Milk: 2 cups
Butter: 3 tbsp
Flour: 3 tbsp
Pepper: ½ tsp

Instructions

Cook pasta.
Make sauce.
Mix in ham.
Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 22 minutes.

How to Serve It

Sprinkle chopped parsley on top.

8. Broccoli Cheddar Brunch Mac

A family classic with veg and cheese in perfect balance.

Ingredients

Macaroni: 2 cups
Cheddar: 2 cups
Milk: 2 cups
Butter: 3 tbsp
Flour: 3 tbsp
Broccoli florets (steamed): 1½ cups
Salt & pepper

Instructions

Make cheddar sauce.
Stir in broccoli and pasta.
Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 18–20 minutes.

How to Serve It

Add toasted breadcrumbs.

9. Sausage & Cheddar Morning Mac & Cheese

A hearty brunch dish with savory sausage.

Ingredients

Macaroni: 2 cups
Cheddar: 2 cups
Breakfast sausage (crumbled): 1 cup
Milk: 2 cups
Butter: 3 tbsp
Flour: 3 tbsp
Salt & pepper

Instructions

Brown sausage.
Make sauce.
Combine everything.
Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 22 minutes.

How to Serve It

Add a little cracked pepper on top.

10. Mushroom & Thyme Brunch Mac

A cozy dish with earthy comfort.

Ingredients

Macaroni: 2 cups
Mozzarella: 1½ cups
Sautéed mushrooms: 1½ cups
Milk: 2 cups
Butter: 3 tbsp
Flour: 3 tbsp
Thyme: 1 tsp
Salt & pepper

Instructions

Sauté mushrooms.
Make sauce.
Combine pasta and mushrooms.
Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20 minutes.

How to Serve It

Top with fresh thyme.

11. Three-Cheese Brunch Mac

A cheese-lover’s brunch dream.

Ingredients

Macaroni: 2 cups
Cheddar: 1 cup
Gouda: 1 cup
Parmesan: ½ cup
Milk: 2 cups
Butter: 3 tbsp
Flour: 3 tbsp
Salt & pepper

Instructions

Make triple-cheese sauce.
Fold in pasta.
Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20 minutes.

How to Serve It

Grate a little parmesan on top.

12. Chicken & Cheddar Brunch Mac

Great for brunch plates that need more protein.

Ingredients

Macaroni: 2 cups
Cheddar: 2 cups
Cooked chicken (diced): 1½ cups
Milk: 2 cups
Butter: 3 tbsp
Flour: 3 tbsp
Salt & pepper

Instructions

Prepare sauce.
Add chicken and pasta.
Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 22 minutes.

How to Serve It

Top with black pepper or paprika.

13. Tomato Basil Brunch Mac

A fresh, bright twist with brunch-friendly flavors.

Ingredients

Macaroni: 2 cups
Mozzarella: 1½ cups
Milk: 2 cups
Butter: 3 tbsp
Flour: 3 tbsp
Cherry tomatoes (halved): 1 cup
Fresh basil: ½ cup
Salt & pepper

Instructions

Make cheese base.
Add tomatoes and pasta.
Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 18 minutes.
Add basil after baking.

How to Serve It

Top with more basil.

14. Buffalo Chicken Brunch Mac

A tangy, spicy bowl that wakes up the table.

Ingredients

Macaroni: 2 cups
Cheddar: 2 cups
Shredded buffalo chicken: 1½ cups
Milk: 2 cups
Butter: 3 tbsp
Flour: 3 tbsp
Salt

Instructions

Make cheese sauce.
Fold in pasta and chicken.
Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20 minutes.

How to Serve It

Top with a drizzle of buffalo sauce.

15. Caramelized Onion Brunch Mac

Sweet onions add richness and depth.

Ingredients

Macaroni: 2 cups
Gruyère: 1½ cups
Caramelized onions: 1 cup
Milk: 2 cups
Butter: 3 tbsp
Flour: 3 tbsp
Pepper

Instructions

Caramelize onions.
Make cheese sauce.
Mix everything.
Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 18–20 minutes.

How to Serve It

Add extra onions on top.

16. Green Chile Brunch Mac

A mild, flavorful dish with a comforting kick.

Ingredients

Macaroni: 2 cups
Monterey Jack: 2 cups
Milk: 2 cups
Diced green chiles: ¾ cup
Butter: 3 tbsp
Flour: 3 tbsp
Salt

Instructions

Make cheese sauce.
Add chiles and pasta.
Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20 minutes.

How to Serve It

Top with cilantro.

17. Crispy Topping Brunch Mac & Cheese

A textural dream for brunch lovers.

Ingredients

Macaroni: 2 cups
Cheddar: 2 cups
Milk: 2 cups
Butter: 3 tbsp
Flour: 3 tbsp
Breadcrumbs: 1 cup
Salt & pepper

Instructions

Make cheddar sauce.
Mix pasta.
Add breadcrumb topping.
Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 22 minutes.

How to Serve It

Top with melted butter–toasted crumbs.

18. Sweet Corn Brunch Mac & Cheese

Corn adds sweetness and texture.

Ingredients

Macaroni: 2 cups
Cheddar: 2 cups
Milk: 2 cups
Butter: 3 tbsp
Flour: 3 tbsp
Sweet corn: 1 cup
Salt & pepper

Instructions

Make sauce.
Add corn and pasta.
Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 18–20 minutes.

How to Serve It

Add paprika or scallions.

19. Tuna Brunch Mac & Cheese

A comfort-food classic turned brunch-friendly.

Ingredients

Macaroni: 2 cups
Cheddar: 1½ cups
Milk: 2 cups
Butter: 3 tbsp
Flour: 3 tbsp
Tuna (drained): 1 can
Salt & pepper

Instructions

Make sauce.
Add tuna and pasta.
Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20 minutes.

How to Serve It

Top with black pepper.

20. Pesto Brunch Mac & Cheese

A bright, aromatic take for brunch lovers.

Ingredients

Macaroni: 2 cups
Mozzarella: 1½ cups
Parmesan: ½ cup
Milk: 2 cups
Butter: 3 tbsp
Flour: 3 tbsp
Pesto: ⅓ cup
Salt & pepper

Instructions

Make mozzarella sauce.
Add pesto.
Combine with pasta.
Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 18 minutes.

How to Serve It

Top with basil leaves.

21. Chili Brunch Mac & Cheese

A hearty, warming bowl perfect for cold mornings.

Ingredients

Macaroni: 2 cups
Cheddar: 2 cups
Chili (prepared): 1½ cups
Milk: 2 cups
Butter: 3 tbsp
Flour: 3 tbsp
Salt

Instructions

Mix chili into cheese sauce.
Add pasta.
Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 22 minutes.

How to Serve It

Top with scallions.

22. Egg Brunch Mac & Cheese Bake

A brunch-forward twist with a soft, custard-like base.

Ingredients

Macaroni: 2 cups
Cheddar: 2 cups
Eggs: 3
Milk: 1½ cups
Butter: 3 tbsp
Flour: 3 tbsp
Salt & pepper

Instructions

Make sauce.
Whisk eggs into warm mixture.
Add pasta.
Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30 minutes.

How to Serve It

Sprinkle paprika on top.

Conclusion

These New Year brunch mac & cheese recipes bring warmth, flavor, and comfort to your table. Save your favorites, try a few different versions, or mix and match toppings to create your own cozy bowl. Each one is simple to prepare and perfect for sharing with people you care about.

Jenna Collins