A Mac and Cheese Bar is your new go-to summertime dinner party favorite. Imagine having friends and family over for a night in, where you cook a whole heaping load of macaroni and cheese and everyone adds their own mix-ins and toppings.
What is a mac and cheese bar, you ask? Prepare to have your life changed, friend!
How To Set Up A Mac And Cheese Bar
First you’re going to make the very best macaroni and cheese. For ideas on how to make this easy, check out our recipes for the Creamiest Mac and Cheese, super easy Instant Pot Mac and Cheese and Baked Mac and Cheese.
When you invite your guests, ask them all to bring some kind of a topping with them. Ask someone else to bring paper plates and forks. You’ve instantly got one of the easiest and most popular party meals for a large crowd.
Arrange all of the ingredients like a salad bar. Guests spoon the mac and cheese onto their plates and then move down the aisle adding all their favorite toppings to create their own unique dish.
Add a little extra fun with a contest! Take pictures and vote on the best mixtures for a fun little party game!
Meat Toppings
Meat can be a great way to inject some protein into your mac and cheese. The addition of various meats could make this a more complete and hearty meal.
- Diced Ham
- Shredded Pork
- Grilled Chicken
- Chopped Bacon
- Chopped Hot Dog
- Ground Beef
- Shrimp
- Lobster/Crab Meat
- Fried Chicken
- Kielbasa
Extra Cheese Toppings
You can’t go wrong with cheese, am I right? Yes, you’ve already got cheese included but add some more for an extra special blending.
- Cheddar
- Pepperjack
- Blue Cheese Crumbles
- Grated Parmesan
- Salsa Con Queso
- Queso Fresco
- Crushed Nacho Cheese Doritos
- Cheese Curds
- Crumbled Cheez-its
- Crumbled Cheese Doodles (Seriously, try this! Regular or Flamin’ Hot Cheetos!)
Veggie Toppings
Whether you’re looking to add to your already impressive bowl or you want to create something slightly less fattening, or maybe you’re a vegetarian looking to mix and match, make sure you have a plethora of veggies available for your guests.
- Tomatoes
- Mushrooms (raw and cooked)
- Onion (raw and cooked)
- Jalapeños
- Shredded Carrots
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Beans (Pinto, Kidney, Black, baked and refried)
- Corn
- Scallions
Sauces and Seasonings
Sauces and seasonings can give your best mac and cheese bar that extra special addition by boosting the flavor into a truly memorable food experience.
- Ketchup (Seriously, try it and thank me later)
- Truffle Oil
- Hot Sauce (and Buffalo)
- Teriyaki
- Ranch
- Blue Cheese Dressing
- Garlic Powder
- Cayenne Pepper
- Barbecue Sauce
- Sour Cream
In Conclusion
There is no end to the number of different toppings you could include for your mac and cheese bar. Encourage your guests to get creative and bring their own additions to the bar.
Have you ever had a mac and cheese bar party? Did your favorite topping make the list? Sound off in the comment section below and let us know!
Podcast Episode About Making A Mac n Cheese Bar
Listen to our editor, Christine Pittman, explain briefly about how to make this recipe, with some great tips along the way, by clicking the play button below:
Listen to more Recipe of the Day episodes here.
This post originally appeared in August 2019 and was revised and republished in October 2022.
My daugther is graduating in 2024 and wanted Mac and Cheese for the food.. thank you this gives me many ideas for her party now!
Congrats to your daughter, Dixie. Mac and cheese party sounds amazing! Enjoy!
Great article
Here is my mix.
Stoffers Mac&cheese
Mixed in will be, chopped up Sun dried tomato, sauteed Bella mushroom slices. A bit of Ranch dressing.
Topped with shredded Parm cheese and fried Onions.
How about chopped Sun dried Tomato?
That sounds fantastic, James. I love sun-dried tomatoes!
Trust me try ketchup and bbq sauce together!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for the suggestion, Sebastian!