Goat cheese (called 'chevre' when it's from France), comes in many varieties and can range from a creamy tanginess to a crumbly grassiness that is beloved by cheese lovers across the globe. Whether it's used as the star attraction, or to complement other cheeses, nothing puts a 'what is that flavor?' zing into your homemade macaroni and cheese quite like goat cheese can. You'll go gaga for goat cheese mac and cheese Best Cheeses For Lobster Mac And Cheese Italian Parmesan's slightly fruity, subtly nutty notes and grittier texture pair beautifully with the smoother, creamier mouth feel of cheddar. This combo is amazing in grilled cheese sandwiches - and the same goes for mac and cheese. The sharper, more complex flavors of aged cheddar team up well with salty Parmesan cheese. Aged cheddar and Parmesan team up to make perfect mac and cheese Luxurious and decadent, this rich cheese promises to instantly take your humble mac and cheese to the next level. This creamy wonder is the right way to go if you're looking to make mac and cheese that's sure to impress. Its flavor ranges from mild to extremely nutty and tangy, depending on what you get your hands on at the store. Named after a region in France and literally eaten by kings, soft-ripened Brie is buttery, runny, and creamy like you wouldn't believe. Brie is creamy, decadent, mac and cheese dream come true For deliciously melty, smooth, velvety mac and cheese, we highly recommend you try some Jack. Buttery in texture and very mild, like cheddar, Monterey Jack is an easy choice for mac and cheese that both children and adults can get on board with. At once firm and creamy, it melts like a dream, making it the perfect choice for all your gooey cheese needs. Monterey Jack creates creamy mac and cheeseĪn American cow's milk cheese with origins in Monterey, California, the aptly named Monterey Jack is easy to love. If you want to infuse robust, bacon-adjacent notes to your mac and cheese, try using smoked Gouda. Young Gouda is rich and mellow, while aged varieties possess a deeper, more pungent flavor. While a majority of Gouda is made with cow's milk, some types are made from sheep's or goat's milk. Named after the Dutch city it hailed from, Gouda is a semi-soft cheese appreciated for its smooth, creamy texture and mild flavor. Smoked Gouda lends meaty flavor (minus the meat) to mac and cheese It lends mac and cheese just the right touch of grownup sophistication. From gratin and fondue to burgers and grilled cheese, this winning Swiss cheese delivers the goods. With subtle sweet notes that complement earthy, nutty ones, Gruyere easily adds depth of flavor to a variety of dishes. This hard cheese is prized for its complex flavor profile. Made from cow's milk, Gruyere borrows its name from a village in Switzerland. Gruyere cheese adds mature flair to mac and cheese While this cow's milk cheese is an ideal choice for grilled cheese sandwiches and general snacking, cheddar has also made quite a name for itself as the go-to choice for traditional all-American mac and cheese. One of the most popular varieties of cheeses in the U.S., it is beloved for its melting powers and smooth flavor. Classic sharp cheddar in mac and cheese is always a crowdpleaserįirm, rich, and relatively mellow, cheddar cheese gets its name from the English town where it originated. These are the best cheeses to use in your homemade mac and cheese. To help you get started on your mac game, here's a down-and-dirty guide to the major players at the market. Whether it's baked for an irresistibly crunchy top, or cooked on the stovetop for maximum creaminess, this perennial comfort food requires the right cheese in order to fulfill its dinnertime destiny. Like most dishes you'll cook, half the battle is won (or lost!) when you're choosing your ingredients in the grocery aisles. Luckily for all of us cheesy carb lovers, this meal is simple to whip up from scratch. If you don't agree, then you haven't had the good stuff. When it's done right, homemade mac and cheese has the potential to be truly transformative - the stuff dreams are made of. Instant macaroni and cheese might pass the college dorm test - and we all know there's a time and a place for that blue box of Kraft Macaroni & Cheese.īut we all learn eventually that nothing beats the real stuff.