20 EASY MAC AND CHEESE SKILLET DINNERS THE WHOLE FAMILY WILL LOVE

Looking for mac and cheese dinner ideas? Here are 20 one-pan skillet meals that turn creamy mac and cheese into a full, hearty dinner.

Mac and cheese is everyone’s favorite comfort food, but on its own it’s a side dish.

Stir in some beef, chicken, seafood or veggies, and it becomes a complete dinner the whole family will eat without complaining.

Every recipe here cooks in one skillet or pot. The pasta simmers right in the milk and broth, so it soaks up flavor and there’s no colander to wash.

You’ll find cheeseburger, taco, chili, buffalo chicken and Philly cheesesteak versions, plus seafood and veggie options.

Protein amounts for the chicken recipes are estimated per serving, based on 6 servings.

Here are the recipes.

Related Articles

• One Skillet Cheeseburger Mac and Cheese
• Homemade Chili Mac and Cheese with Cilantro
• Quick and Easy Microwave Mac and Cheese Under 10 Minutes
• 25 Easy Ground Turkey Recipes for Healthy Weeknight Dinners
• 30 Best Make-Ahead Casseroles to Freeze

MAC AND CHEESE SKILLET DINNERS

1. One-Pot Cheeseburger Mac and Cheese

Browned beef, onion and melty cheddar with a little ketchup and mustard, just like a cheeseburger.

Top with diced pickles if you like.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1/2 onion, diced
• 12 oz elbow macaroni
• 2 cups beef broth
• 2 cups milk
• 2 tbsp ketchup
• 1 tbsp mustard
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 2 cups shredded cheddar
• Diced pickles and tomatoes

Instructions:

1. Brown the beef and onion in a large skillet and drain.
2. Add the pasta, broth, milk, ketchup, mustard and garlic powder.
3. Bring to a simmer and cook 10 to 12 minutes, stirring often.
4. Turn off the heat and stir in the cheese.
5. Top with pickles and tomatoes.

2. Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese Skillet (39g Protein)

Creamy cheddar mac with shredded chicken and a spicy kick of buffalo sauce.

Top with blue cheese and green onions.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups cooked shredded chicken
• 12 oz elbow macaroni
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups milk
• 1/2 cup buffalo sauce
• 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar
• 2 oz cream cheese
• Blue cheese crumbles and green onions

Instructions:

1. Bring the broth and milk to a simmer in a large skillet.
2. Add the pasta and cook 10 to 12 minutes, stirring often.
3. Stir in the cream cheese and buffalo sauce.
4. Add the chicken and cheddar off the heat.
5. Top with blue cheese and green onions.

3. Taco Mac and Cheese Skillet

Taco-seasoned beef, salsa and pepper jack stirred into creamy mac.

Top with crushed tortilla chips for crunch.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 12 oz elbow macaroni
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 1 cup salsa
• 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese
• Sour cream, cilantro and tortilla chips

Instructions:

1. Brown the beef, drain and stir in the taco seasoning.
2. Add the pasta, broth, milk and salsa.
3. Simmer 10 to 12 minutes, stirring often.
4. Stir in the cheese off the heat.
5. Top with sour cream, cilantro and chips.

4. Chili Mac and Cheese

Hearty beef chili and macaroni simmer together, then get smothered in cheddar.

It’s a cozy one-pot dinner for cold nights.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 garlic cloves
• 12 oz elbow macaroni
• 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 cup milk
• 2 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• 2 cups shredded cheddar

Instructions:

1. Brown the beef with the onion and garlic and drain.
2. Stir in the spices.
3. Add the pasta, beans, tomatoes, broth and milk.
4. Simmer 12 minutes until the pasta is tender.
5. Stir in half the cheese, top with the rest and cover until melted.

5. Philly Cheesesteak Mac and Cheese

Thin-sliced beef, peppers, onions and provolone in a creamy mac.

It’s the cheesesteak you can eat with a spoon.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb shaved beef or thin-sliced steak
• 1 green bell pepper, sliced
• 1 onion, sliced
• 8 oz mushrooms, sliced
• 12 oz elbow macaroni
• 2 cups beef broth
• 2 cups milk
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 8 slices provolone, torn
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella

Instructions:

1. Sear the beef quickly and set aside.
2. Sauté the pepper, onion and mushrooms 5 minutes.
3. Add the pasta, broth, milk and Worcestershire and simmer 10 to 12 minutes.
4. Stir in the provolone and mozzarella off the heat.
5. Fold in the beef.

6. BBQ Pulled Chicken Mac and Cheese (38g Protein)

Smoky barbecue chicken piled on creamy cheddar mac with crispy fried onions on top.

It’s a cookout favorite in one skillet.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups shredded cooked chicken
• 3/4 cup BBQ sauce
• 12 oz elbow macaroni
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups milk
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 2 cups shredded cheddar
• Crispy fried onions

Instructions:

1. Toss the chicken with the BBQ sauce and warm it.
2. Simmer the pasta in the broth and milk with the paprika 10 to 12 minutes.
3. Stir in the cheddar off the heat.
4. Spoon the BBQ chicken over the top.
5. Finish with crispy onions.

7. Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Mac Skillet (39g Protein)

Tender broccoli, chicken and sharp cheddar make a complete dinner in one pan.

It’s a sneaky way to get kids to eat their greens.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups cooked chicken, diced
• 12 oz elbow macaroni
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups milk
• 3 cups small broccoli florets
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar

Instructions:

1. Bring the broth and milk to a simmer.
2. Add the pasta and cook 7 minutes.
3. Add the broccoli and cook 4 to 5 minutes more.
4. Stir in the garlic powder, chicken and cheese off the heat.
5. Season and serve.

8. Sloppy Joe Mac and Cheese

Sweet and tangy sloppy joe meat mixed into cheesy macaroni.

Kids love it, and it’s on the table in 25 minutes.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1/2 onion, diced
• 1/2 green bell pepper, diced
• 1 can (15 oz) sloppy joe sauce
• 12 oz elbow macaroni
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 cup milk
• 2 cups shredded cheddar

Instructions:

1. Brown the beef with the onion and pepper and drain.
2. Stir in the sloppy joe sauce.
3. Add the pasta, broth and milk and simmer 12 minutes.
4. Stir in the cheese.
5. Serve with a side of coleslaw.

9. Chicken Alfredo Mac and Cheese (40g Protein)

A cross between Alfredo and mac and cheese, with garlic, parmesan and mozzarella.

It’s rich and creamy.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups cooked chicken, diced
• 12 oz elbow macaroni
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup grated parmesan
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella
• Fresh parsley

Instructions:

1. Sauté the garlic in a little butter.
2. Add the broth, milk and pasta and simmer 10 to 12 minutes.
3. Stir in the cream, parmesan and mozzarella.
4. Fold in the chicken.
5. Top with parsley.

10. Tuna Mac and Cheese Skillet

Pantry staples like tuna, peas and cheddar make a fast, cheap dinner.

It’s like a stovetop tuna casserole.

Ingredients:

• 2 cans (5 oz) tuna, drained
• 12 oz elbow macaroni
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups milk
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 2 cups shredded cheddar
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• Crushed crackers for topping

Instructions:

1. Simmer the pasta in the broth and milk 8 minutes.
2. Add the peas and cook 3 minutes more.
3. Stir in the garlic powder and cheese off the heat.
4. Fold in the tuna.
5. Top with crushed crackers.

⚠️ Budget Note: This whole skillet costs about $8 and feeds 4 to 6.

11. Cajun Shrimp Mac and Cheese

Spicy Cajun shrimp tossed with creamy pepper jack and cheddar mac.

It’s a little fancy but still weeknight-easy.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb shrimp, peeled
• 2 tsp Cajun seasoning, divided
• 2 tbsp butter
• 12 oz elbow macaroni
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups milk
• 1 cup shredded pepper jack
• 1 cup shredded cheddar
• Green onions

Instructions:

1. Toss the shrimp with 1 tsp Cajun seasoning and sear in butter 2 minutes per side, then remove.
2. Add the pasta, broth, milk and remaining seasoning to the pan.
3. Simmer 10 to 12 minutes.
4. Stir in the cheeses.
5. Top with the shrimp and green onions.

12. One-Pot Chicken Sausage Mac and Cheese

Sliced chicken sausage gets browned, then stirred into a creamy cheddar and gouda mac.

Smoked turkey sausage works great too.

Ingredients:

• 12 oz smoked chicken or turkey sausage, sliced
• 12 oz elbow macaroni
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups milk
• 1 cup shredded cheddar
• 1 cup shredded gouda
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 2 cups baby spinach

Instructions:

1. Brown the sausage slices in a large skillet.
2. Add the pasta, broth, milk and paprika.
3. Simmer 10 to 12 minutes, stirring often.
4. Stir in the spinach until wilted.
5. Stir in the cheeses off the heat.

13. Chicken Enchilada Mac and Cheese (36g Protein)

Red enchilada sauce, chicken and Mexican cheese stirred into creamy macaroni.

It’s all the enchilada flavor with none of the rolling.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups shredded cooked chicken
• 12 oz elbow macaroni
• 1 can (10 oz) red enchilada sauce
• 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 1 can (4 oz) diced green chiles
• 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese
• Cilantro and avocado

Instructions:

1. Combine the pasta, enchilada sauce, broth, milk and chiles in a skillet.
2. Simmer 12 minutes, stirring often.
3. Stir in the chicken and half the cheese.
4. Top with the rest of the cheese and cover until melted.
5. Finish with cilantro and avocado.

14. Beef Stroganoff Mac and Cheese

Ground beef, mushrooms and a tangy sour cream sauce with macaroni and Swiss cheese.

It’s a cozy mash-up of two classics.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 8 oz mushrooms, sliced
• 1 onion, diced
• 12 oz elbow macaroni
• 2 1/2 cups beef broth
• 1 cup milk
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 cup shredded Swiss or mozzarella

Instructions:

1. Brown the beef with the mushrooms and onion.
2. Add the pasta, broth, milk and Worcestershire.
3. Simmer 12 minutes.
4. Turn off the heat and stir in the sour cream and cheese.
5. Season with salt and pepper.

15. Pizza Mac and Cheese Skillet

Mac and cheese stirred with marinara and topped with mozzarella and beef pepperoni, then broiled.

It’s pizza night meets mac night.

Ingredients:

• 12 oz elbow macaroni
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 1 cup marinara
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 cup shredded cheddar
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella, divided
• 1/2 cup beef pepperoni slices
• Sliced olives and peppers, optional

Instructions:

1. Simmer the pasta in the broth and milk 10 to 12 minutes in an oven-safe skillet.
2. Stir in the marinara, seasoning, cheddar and 1 cup mozzarella.
3. Top with the remaining mozzarella and pepperoni.
4. Broil 3 to 4 minutes until bubbly.
5. Add any extra toppings and serve.

16. Jalapeño Popper Chicken Mac and Cheese (38g Protein)

Cream cheese, cheddar, chicken and diced jalapeños, with a crunchy panko topping.

It tastes just like the appetizer.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups cooked chicken, diced
• 12 oz elbow macaroni
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups milk
• 4 oz cream cheese
• 2 cups shredded cheddar
• 2 jalapeños, diced
• 1/2 cup panko toasted in butter

Instructions:

1. Simmer the pasta in the broth and milk 10 to 12 minutes.
2. Stir in the cream cheese until melted.
3. Add the cheddar, jalapeños and chicken.
4. Spoon into bowls.
5. Top with the toasted panko.

17. Spinach Artichoke Mac and Cheese

The favorite party dip turned into a creamy, cheesy pasta dinner.

It’s a great meatless night option.

Ingredients:

• 12 oz elbow macaroni
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 2 cups milk
• 4 oz cream cheese
• 1 cup chopped artichoke hearts
• 3 cups baby spinach
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan

Instructions:

1. Sauté the garlic in a little butter.
2. Add the broth, milk and pasta and simmer 10 to 12 minutes.
3. Stir in the cream cheese, artichokes and spinach.
4. Stir in the mozzarella and parmesan.
5. Season and serve.

18. Ground Turkey and Veggie Mac Skillet

Lean ground turkey and a handful of hidden veggies in a cheesy one-pan mac.

It’s a lighter family dinner that still feels like comfort food.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground turkey
• 1 zucchini, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 12 oz elbow macaroni
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups milk
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 2 cups shredded cheddar

Instructions:

1. Brown the turkey with the zucchini and pepper.
2. Add the pasta, broth, milk and garlic powder.
3. Simmer 10 minutes, then add the peas.
4. Cook 2 minutes more.
5. Stir in the cheese.

19. French Onion Beef Mac and Cheese

Sweet caramelized onions, ground beef and nutty gruyère make a grown-up mac and cheese.

Taking time to caramelize the onions is worth it.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 3 onions, thinly sliced
• 2 tbsp butter
• 12 oz elbow macaroni
• 2 1/2 cups beef broth
• 1 cup milk
• 1 tsp fresh thyme
• 1 1/2 cups shredded gruyère
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella

Instructions:

1. Cook the onions in butter over medium-low 20 minutes until deep golden.
2. Add the beef and brown it.
3. Add the pasta, broth, milk and thyme and simmer 12 minutes.
4. Stir in the gruyère.
5. Top with mozzarella and broil until bubbly.

20. Shrimp and Crab Seafood Mac and Cheese

Shrimp and lump crab folded into a rich, three-cheese mac.

It’s perfect for a special weekend dinner.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 lb shrimp, peeled and chopped
• 8 oz lump crab meat
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 tsp Old Bay seasoning
• 12 oz elbow macaroni
• 2 cups seafood or chicken broth
• 2 cups milk
• 1 cup shredded gouda
• 1 cup shredded white cheddar
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan

Instructions:

1. Sauté the shrimp in butter with Old Bay 2 minutes, then remove.
2. Simmer the pasta in the broth and milk 10 to 12 minutes.
3. Stir in the cheeses until smooth.
4. Gently fold in the shrimp and crab.
5. Sprinkle with a little more Old Bay.

If you only make one recipe from this list, start with the one-pot cheeseburger mac and cheese, because it’s the one everyone at the table will agree on.

Then try the buffalo chicken or Cajun shrimp versions when you want a little heat.