11 of the Dreamiest Mac & Cheeses

by Natasha Wolff | June 7, 2016 10:00 am

Peanut butter and jelly, cookies and milk, spaghetti and meatballs — some foods are just made to go together. One of our all-time favorites is that childhood staple, mac and cheese. Though now considered an American comfort food classic, macaroni and cheese[1] didn’t actually originate in the States. With English origins dating back to the 14th century, the first modern recipe for the dish appeared in Elizabeth Raffald’s 1769 book, “The Experienced English Housekeeper,” and didn’t show up in an American cookbook until over 50 years later, in 1824.

Since then, the dish — often prepared as an oven casserole or in a sauce pan with all kinds of cheeses, including cheddar, Monterey Jack, provolone and Swiss — has become a national treasure, with many regional variations. Whether it’s served as a homey, creamy side or an elegant entree mixed with bacon or lobster, mac and cheese is one tasty combination that never gets old. Here are 11 unique takes that’ll make you say “cheese” with a smile:

1. CAULFIELD’S BAR & DINING ROOM (Los Angeles)[2]

Caulfield’s Bar & Dining Room proves that no great American menu would be complete without mac and cheese, serving the standout starter with chunks of fresh lobster meat, aged cheddar and a touch of truffle.

Photo provided by Caulfield’s Bar & Dining Room.

2. ALMOND (New York)[3]

Served in a piping hot cast iron pan, the macaroni and cheese recipe at Almond is bubbling with perfection. Prepared two ways, everyone’s favorite dish can be enjoyed as a main course with prosciutto and chopped truffles or as a traditional side dish.

Photo provided by Almond. Photo by Lindsay Morris.

3. REX 1516 (Philadelphia)[4]

Southern-inspired eatery Rex 1516 offers a celebrated shells and cheese dish with Cooper cheddar, jalapeño breadcrumbs and an optional pulled pork topping.

Photo provided by Rex 1516.

4. MUSSEL BAR & GRILLE (Arlington)[5]

In place of familiar elbow pasta, orecchiette is used in Mussel Bar & Grille’s lobster mac n’ cheese with stewed tomatoes, rapini (broccoli rabe) and a creamy Gruyere fondue.

Photo provided by Mussel Bar & Grille.

5. WARD 8 (Boston)[6]

An ultra-cheesy delicacy, Ward 8 dishes out mac and cheese spiked with Vermont smoked ham and garlic spinach.

Photo provided by Ward 8.

6. THE MARSHAL (New York)[7]

Using local produce, The Marshal delivers a wood oven mac n’ cheese for the table — a savory mix of corkscrew pasta with thick-cut bacon and Pennsylvania Swiss cheese.

Photo provided by The Marshal.

7. PREUX & PROPER (Los Angeles)[8]

The cast-iron baked macaroni at Preux & Proper is topped with scallions, Turbodog (dark brown ale) and Vella Dry Jack (a nutty, aged relative of cheddar) — a Creole- and Cajun-inspired take on the classic dish.

Photo provided by Preux & Proper.

8. SMITH & WOLLENSKY (New York)[9]

The truffled macaroni and cheese at Smith & Wollensky is made with four different cheeses — grated Parmesan, provolone, Monterey Jack and cheddar — blended with a dash of truffle oil and topped with Panko bread crumbs. Even if you don’t live in New York, you can still try and recreate the mouthwatering gratin thanks to the restaurant’s online recipe.

Photo provided by Smith & Wollensky.

9. THE FAT HAM (Philadelphia)[10]

Served straight from the pot, the baked mac and cheese at The Fat Ham is sprinkled with smoked cracker crumbs, rounding out the delicious Southern comfort food menu.

Photo provided by The Fat Ham.

10. BOA STEAKHOUSE (Los Angeles)[11]

The mark of a truly great steakhouse, BOA Steakhouse delivers not just good chops but fantastic side dishes, including its Mac N Cheese with smoked Gouda-cheddar Mornay sauce (a creamy sauce with shredded cheese and egg yolk), orecchiette and toasted Panko.

Photo provided by BOA Steakhouse.

11. DITCH PLAINS (New York)[12]

As if mac and cheese weren’t amazing enough on its own, Ditch Plains goes and makes it even better, using it as a melty topping over its delicious Ditch Dogs.

Photo provided by Ditch Plains.