Mac ‘N’ Cheese Bar
One recipe—endless ways to enjoy!
- Wheat
- Sesame
- Milk
How do you please everyone at dinner? A mac ’n’ cheese bar! You’ll set out luscious baked mac ’n’ cheese with toppings galore: toasted everything-bagel breadcrumbs, roasted broccoli, juicy diced tomato, and tangy pickled jalapeños, then let everyone create their own perfect plate! Order bacon for smoky crispness and/or hot honey for sweet spice.
Ingredients
1 unit
Broccoli
¼ cup
Panko Breadcrumbs
(Contains: Wheat)
1 tablespoon
Everything Bagel Seasoning
(Contains: Sesame)
6 ounce
Cavatappi Pasta
(Contains: Wheat)
4 ounce
Cream Sauce Base
(Contains: Milk)
6 tablespoon
Cream Cheese
(Contains: Milk)
1 unit
Mushroom Stock Concentrate
1 teaspoon
Garlic Powder
2 cup
Cheddar Cheese
(Contains: Milk)
1 unit
Tomato
1 unit
Jalapeño
5 teaspoon
White Wine Vinegar
Not included in your delivery
Salt
Pepper
1 teaspoon
Olive Oil
¼ teaspoon
Sugar
Nonstick Cooking Spray
2 tablespoon
Butter
(Contains: Milk)
Nutrition Values
Utensils
Cooking Steps
• Adjust racks to top and middle positions and preheat oven to 425 degrees. Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. Wash and dry produce. • Cut broccoli into bite-size pieces if necessary. • Toss broccoli on a baking sheet with a drizzle of olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast on top rack until browned and tender, 15-20 minutes. TIP: If you added any other items to your meal (apps, sides, and/or dessert), you can get started on them now!
• Meanwhile, melt 1 TBSP butter (2 TBSP for 4 servings) in a large pan over medium- high heat. Add panko, Everything Bagel Seasoning, salt, and pepper; cook, stirring, until golden brown, 2-3 minutes. Turn off heat; transfer to a small bowl. Wipe out pan. • Once water is boiling, add cavatappi to pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente, 9-11 minutes. Drain, then return pasta to pot.
• While pasta cooks, in pan used for panko, whisk together cream sauce base and 1 cup water (2 cups for 4 servings) over medium heat. Bring to a simmer. • Add cream cheese, stock concentrate, and garlic powder. Cook, whisking, until cream cheese is fully incorporated and sauce is smooth, 2-3 minutes. • Remove from heat. Whisk in three-quarters of the cheddar and 1 TBSP butter (2 TBSP for 4) until melted and smooth. Taste and season with salt and pepper if desired.
• Transfer cheese sauce to pot with drained cavatappi; stir to combine. • Coat an 8-by-8-inch baking dish (9-by-13- inch baking dish for 4 servings) with nonstick cooking spray. Transfer mac ’n’ cheese to prepared baking dish. • Top with remaining cheddar and bake on middle rack until browned, 12-15 minutes. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
• While mac ’n’ cheese bakes, halve jalapeño lengthwise, removing ribs and seeds for less heat; thinly slice crosswise into half-moons. Dice tomato into 1⁄2-inch pieces.
• In a second small microwave-safe bowl, combine jalapeño, 1 tsp vinegar, 1⁄4 tsp sugar, and a pinch of salt (for 4 servings, use 2 tsp vinegar, 1⁄2 tsp sugar, and a big pinch of salt). (Save remaining vinegar for another use.) • Cover with plastic wrap and microwave for 30 seconds. Set aside to pickle, stirring occasionally.
• Serve broccoli, mac ’n’ cheese, toasted panko, tomato, and pickled jalapeño family style and let everyone build their own plate.
Customer reviews
Review summary
Updated on Feb 2026- Flavor: Many loved the rich, creamy cheese sauce; some found the mushroom stock and garlic powder added great depth 🧀
- Ease of prep: While delicious, several noted it took longer to prepare than expected, especially for a weeknight meal.
- Suggestions: Consider topping with panko and everything bagel seasoning before baking for extra crunch and flavor.
- Portions: Generous servings pleased many, with plenty for leftovers or to feed a larger group.
- Toppings: The pickled jalapeños and everything bagel seasoning were surprise hits; some found raw tomatoes less appealing.
- Kid-friendly: Many reported this was a hit with children, even picky eaters who usually avoid mac and cheese.
Reviews from our home cooks
I ordered this because my 12-year-old loves mac & cheese, but this ended up being one of my favorite recipes of the year. It was delicious, fun, easy to make, and as soon as it appears again, I will definitely order it again.
This was very delicious and had hearty servings! It did take longer than the recipe card said. Fancy casserole style macaroni, just needs some extra veggies to round out the meal (I miss the days when salads used to be included instead of an extra $$ add on)
So yummy and something for everyone! Options for Deliciously fresh produce and the crunchy everything bagel seasoning is a great way to diversify a traditional Mac and cheese!
This is one of the best Hello Fresh meals and some of the best mac and cheese I've ever had in my life. Had it for thanksgiving and it was the star of the show. Every bite was perfect. So glad there will be so many leftovers (I only needed half a serving)
This is one of my favorites! I love the mac&cheese recipes you guys have, this one is extra awesome because it has all the toppings we like. We throw everything all together and eat the broccoli on the side. Please keep offering these!! We love them!
Was good we liked it. We actually saved the bacon from the bacon beans from the night before and used it on the Mac n cheese. Sometimes we switch some things up we may steam vegs or bake a potato and smash it instead of roast
I didn't use half of the ingredients included in the bar. I'm a mac and cheese minimalist I guess. My son, however, used all of them and really enjoyed it, so it really depends on your taste.
How can you go wrong with mac and cheese - LOVED the pickled jalopeno. Dinner and a lesson in cooking!
Tasty but definitely didn't feel like a "bar" with only one cheese & 2 topping options. Just assembled both dishes the same. Loved the meal at its core, however.
A bit too soupy but the flavor is good. I topped the Mac n cheese with some of the panko and everything bagel seasoning the last 3 minutes of cook time in the oven.
