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5 Ways to Upgrade Your Mac with Mix-Ins

By Betty Crocker Kitchens
Created February 7, 2017
5 different bowls of Mac with different mix-ins
Mac and cheese will always have a special place in our hearts, and with these creative mix-ins, your old favorite has never been better.

Macaroni and cheese is the ultimate comfort food no matter what age you are. It’s also the cure for weeknight dinner blues and a guaranteed hit with the kiddos. There’s something undeniably comforting about a bowl of steaming, creamy, cheesy pasta at the end of a long, hard day, and of course, it doesn’t hurt that it only requires a few on-hand ingredients and a few simple steps.

But when you’re short on time and you find yourself turning to a box of mac and cheese, you can still make it your own and feel good about it with wholesome goodness like organic pasta and real cheese. With a few simple add-ins, your beloved box of mac and cheese gets a complete makeover.

Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese

Our spin: Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese

Start with: Annie’s Four Cheese Mac and Cheese

Mix in: We can never get enough buffalo chicken so we added one cup of chopped cooked chicken and ¼ cup of buffalo wing sauce.


Zesty Bacon Cheddar Mac and Cheese

Our spin: Zesty Bacon Cheddar Mac and Cheese

Start with: Annie’s Shells and Real Aged Cheddar

Mix in: Bacon and cheddar go together like, well, bacon and cheddar. Mix in ½ cup of crumbled bacon bits and add some flavor with a can of Muir Glen™ organic fire roasted diced tomatoes.


Creamy Spinach Artichoke Mac and Cheese

Our spin: Creamy Spinach Artichoke Mac and Cheese

Start with: Annie’s Shells and White Cheddar

Mix in: We turned a savory creamy dip into a must-try mac and cheese recipe! Mix in one cup frozen spinach and ¼ cup chopped artichoke hearts. Sprinkle ¼ cup of grated Parmesan cheese on top.


Hawaiian Mac and Cheese

Our spin: Hawaiian Mac and Cheese

Start with:  Annie’s Shells and White Cheddar

Mix in: There are infinite possibilities when creamy cheddar pairs up with superstars like ham and pineapple. Mix in one cup of diced ham and an 8-ounce can of crushed pineapple.


Veggie Packed Mac and Cheese

Our spin: Veggie-Packed Mac and Cheese

Start with: Annie’s Classic Macaroni and Cheese

Mix in: Sneak some veggie love into your mac and cheese with half of a bag of frozen mixed vegetables.


The options to upgrade your mac and cheese are endless! What’s your favorite way to dress up your childhood favorite?