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Maximum Mac

Boxed mac and cheese is a standby favorite, but after a few meals it could use a little sprucing up. Simple additions of canned food or frozen goods you have on hand can transform the dish with minimal effort, and there are some more elaborate routes that can make it downright gourmet. This mix of additions and recipes ensures your supply of mac and cheese boxes will be diverse and enjoyable.


Related: We Tried 13 Kinds of Store-Brand Mac and Cheese and These Are the Best

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Green Chile Mac and Cheese

Stir in a can of green diced chiles or some salsa verde for a spicy southwestern kick. Fresh chilies also work, though you'll probably want to sauté them a bit before making the cheese sauce in the same pan — it will reduce the spiciness of fresh hot peppers.


Related: Can You Handle These 15 Hot and Spicy Dishes?

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Bacon Mac and Cheese

Bacon and cheese are natural complements, and mac and cheese is no exception. Anything from bacon bits to thick-cut strips will work well with the base of noodles and cheese. You can even cook bacon in the pan and use its rendered fat to lend extra flavor to the cheese sauce.


Related: 26 Amazing Bacon Dishes Across America

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Fried Mac and Cheese Balls

How do you make mac and cheese even more cravable? Fry it into golden delicious balls of cheesy goodness. These are almost too easy to make, but are definitely not an everyday food — just a once-in-a-while indulgence that can be a real mood-lifter.


Recipe: Damn Delicious


Related: 25 Appetizers You Can Make for Less Than $5

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Spinach Artichoke Mac and Cheese

A tasty, gourmet spin. This recipe gets bonus points for using only five ingredients; adding artichokes and spinach, rather than a premade mix, cuts down on extra salt.


Recipe: Zen & Spice


Related: 25 Easy Recipes With Only 3 Ingredients

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Mac and Cheese With Ground Beef

Leftover hamburger meat can be crumbled, or fresh ground beef can be cooked and seasoned and mixed into the mac and cheese once it is prepared. This adds protein and creates a cheeseburger-like flavor, adding indulgence and heartiness to the pantry staple.


Related: We Taste Tested the Best Fast-Food Cheeseburger

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French Fries Mac and Cheese

You could simply pour your steaming mac and cheese over a bed of french fries for a variation on cheese fries or a very downscale poutine — but it's so much better to mix the two thoroughly and let the french fries add heft and crunch to your creamy bowl, almost like a baked mac and cheese from within.


Related: 26 Outrageous French Fries You Need to Try

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Roasted Veggies Mac and Cheese

Leftover vegetables? Combining roasted veggies with a box of mac and cheese is a satisfying way to use them up while adding nutrition to the dish. Any vegetable works, from broccoli or Brussels sprouts to potato or onions. Try chopping the vegetables into bite-sized pieces for the best integration of ingredients.


Related: 30 Vegetable Recipes for People Who Hate Vegetables

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Tomato Sauce Mac and Cheese

Create a chili-style dish by adding tomato sauce. Add a lot of sauce for a spoonable dish, or just a little to give the extra depth of tomato flavor to the cheese sauce. Topping it with some red chili flakes or oregano could even give it a pizza vibe.


Related: 13 Regional Chili Recipes to Feed to the Family

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Eggy Mac and Cheese

Breakfast mac and cheese? No problem. Top your mac with a fried egg, or scrambled, or poached if you're feeling fancy, and call it brunch. Add your favorite hot sauce or some extra cheese and enjoy with toast points to round it out.


Related: 30 Cheap, Easy Breakfast Ideas to Start the Day Right

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Tuna Mac and Cheese

Turn boxed mac and cheese into a tuna melt casserole by mixing in a can of drained tuna. It's best to mix the tuna in with the hot drained pasta to heat it through and for even distribution of the cheese sauce.


Related: 15 Old-School Dishes Making a Comeback at Restaurants

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Mac and Cheese With Frozen Veggies

A bag of frozen veggies plus a box of mac and cheese can be a nutritious and satisfying meal. Anything works well, from peas and carrots to broccoli or spinach. You can throw the veggies in the pasta water just before straining to warm them through, or get some extra flavor by sautéing them with some spices in the pan before making the cheese sauce.


Related: 24 Healthy Recipes You'll Never Know Were Made With Frozen Produce