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.
