Let your guests have some fun by setting up a Mac and Cheese Bar at your next party! A big bowl of creamy Mac & Cheese and some delicious toppings and mix-ins are all you need for the ultimate cheesy celebration. People are going to be begging for an invitation once they hear about your Mac and Cheese Bar! It’s fun, it’s hype, it’s “gourmet”! But, at the end of the day, it’s just everyone’s favorite comfort food and a variety of toppings. Yes, some prepping is required, but it’s all super easy and, come party time, you’ll be able to have fun instead of running to and from the kitchen! I am a huge advocate for “make-your-own” stations. Not only they are a great way to feed a crowd, but they make the party a hundred percent more fun.
How to Set Up a Mac and Cheese Bar
Here’s the thing: people love macaroni & cheese so much that if you put out a bowl of it and call it a Mac and Cheese Bar, no one will complain. Here’s the thing: people love macaroni & cheese so much that if you put out a bowl of it and call it a Mac and Cheese Bar, no one will complain. Of course we won’t do that, as toppings are what make this fun. My point is: make sure your macaroni and cheese bar is amazing! It is the star of the show, after all! The best advice I can give you is to get in your car and head to Walmart so you can bring home the creamy, cheesy goodness of STOUFFER’S® Macaroni & Cheese. It is so cheesy, rich and velvety. A carb-lover’s dream come true! And now that it’s summer, it makes the perfect side dish for our backyard BBQing. I also love that they have a party size, which takes care of the whole calculating “how much macaroni I need” part of planning the party! But this party is not gonna plan itself, so let’s get to all the deets.
Start by choosing the toppings
The possibilities are endless. Every time I start thinking, I come up with a new combination. It is fun, but can definitely get overwhelming! So take a deep breath, get a pen and paper and jot down some ideas. Remember: less is more! Try to think of toppings that are versatile and could be combined in different creations. How big or small your bar is going to be depends on the size of your guest list. Here we are creating a bar that can feed around 10 people, but you can easily halve or double/triple everything! As always, don’t feel limited to what you see here. Get creative and add some personality to your party!
The basics
The stuff you simply gotta have!
Toasted breadcrumbs – Gotta have some texture! Salt and cracked fresh pepper – Great flavor enhancers.
Meat
Bacon – A must have! Pepperoni Ground Beef – Cheeseburger Mac & Cheese, anyone?!?
Veggies
Broccoli – Because broccoli makes everything healthy, right…? Tomatoes Mushrooms
Other cheeses
Because there’s no such thing as “too much cheese”! (Besides, 4 Cheese Mac & Cheese has a spot in my heart.)
Gorgonzola Parmesan Gouda
Herbs
Chives Basil
Fun toppings
Fried Shallots – My absolute favorite! It’s always a struggle to not eat it all before the guests arrive. Pico de Gallo Jalapeños
Oils and sauces
Hot sauce – Because some people like it hot! Chili Oil Truffle Oil
Grocery List
Here’s what you’ll need to replicate my Mac and Cheese Bar. Just print this list and bring it with you to the store! You can also click in the photo above to buy at Walmart. And don’t forget to redeem your $3 cash back (party size) or $1.50 cash back (family size) from Ibotta when you buy from June 13 to July 11, while supplies last!
Some combination ideas
I have no doubt your guests will be able to come up with amazing creations. But if you feel like providing some guidance, you can always print (or write on a chalkboard) some suggestions. These are some of my favorites:
Umami Mac & Cheese: macaroni and cheese + fried shallots + bacon Broccoli Mac & Cheese: macaroni and cheese + broccoli + toasted breadcrumbs 4 Cheese Mac & Cheese: macaroni and cheese + gorgonzola + gouda + parmesan + breadcrumbs + a drizzle of truffle oil Cheeseburger Mac & Cheese: macaroni and cheese + ground beef + chives Pizza Mac & Cheese: macaroni and cheese + pepperoni + cherry tomatoes + basil The Queso Mac & Cheese: macaroni and cheese + pico de gallo – Close your eyes and you’ll think you’re eating queso!
Set the table!
Once you got the whole food part figured out, it’s time to think of presentation! After all, people eat with their eyes first. The tablescaping options are endless and there are many elements to play around with that can enhance the whole food experience. You can play with colors, textures, props, flowers, etc. The only rules are: Other than that, have fun! I like to look for inspiration on Pinterest and Instagram for ideas that won’t break the bank.
A few tips for the best Mac and cheese party
The macaroni and cheese is the star of the party and should always be hot! I like to keep mine warm in a slow cooker. If your toppings are too elaborate, consider labeling them so you don’t have to keep answering questions all party long! This can also be helpful if you know your guests have allergies or food restrictions. To minimize stress, you can prep everything – minus the macaroni and cheese, which should be cooked right before serving – the day before. Just reheat what needs to be served warm before the party begins. Choose small bowls. You want your guests to be able to come back for different combinations instead of stuffing themselves in the first sitting. Got leftovers? Consider making my Fried Mac and Cheese Balls! You can even mix in the toppings like you would with arancini.
Making Pico de Gallo: Cooking the bacon: Making the fried shallots: Toasting breadcrumbs: Cooking the ground beef: Sautéing mushrooms: Cooking the Macaroni and Cheese: Assembling the Mac and Cheese Bar:
The oil resulting from frying the shallots is so flavorful and can be used whenever olive oil is asked for.Toppings can be prepared up to 1 day ahead and reheated (if needed) before serving.
