The Creamiest Side Dish for Your Holiday

Elevate your holiday spread with this Easy Thanksgiving Mac and Cheese, the ultimate comfort food that brings everyone to the table. Combining a silky, homemade cheese sauce with perfectly al dente pasta, this recipe is a total showstopper that saves you time in the kitchen. Whether you are hosting a large feast or a cozy dinner, this dish is the perfect Pinterest-worthy addition to your holiday menu. It is rich, velvety, and features a smoky twist using crispy chicken strips for a savory crunch that will have your guests asking for seconds. Get ready to master the most requested side dish of the season! 🧀✨

⏱️ Time Breakdown

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 8 servings

📝 Ingredients List

1 lb elbow macaroni
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
4 cups whole milk
4 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
2 cups gruyère cheese, shredded
1 cup crispy smoked chicken strips, chopped
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
Salt and pepper to taste

✨ Kitchen Tools You’ll Need

This recipe doesn’t require fancy gadgets, just a few reliable kitchen basics to keep everything simple and stress-free.

Large pot for boiling pasta
Large skillet or saucepan for the sauce
Whisk
Measuring cups & spoons
Baking dish (9×13 inch)
Wooden spoon or spatula

Step-by-Step Beginner-Friendly Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
While the pasta cooks, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until it smells slightly nutty.
Slowly pour in the milk while whisking constantly. Continue whisking for 5-7 minutes until the sauce is thick and glossy.
Remove from heat and stir in the cheeses, garlic powder, and paprika until smooth. 🥣
Fold in the cooked pasta and the chopped smoked chicken strips. Transfer everything to the prepared baking dish.
Bake for 15-20 minutes until the top is golden and bubbling. Serve warm and enjoy! 😋

💡 Pro Tips Section

Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat with a splash of milk to restore creaminess.
Substitutions: If you prefer a different protein, smoked beef or venison ham work wonderfully as a savory swap for the chicken.
Cheese Blend: For the best results, grate your own cheese from a block rather than using pre-shredded bags, as it melts much smoother.

Variations

Feel free to add roasted broccoli or sautéed spinach for a touch of greens. You can also sprinkle buttery breadcrumbs on top before baking for extra texture.

FAQ

Can I make this ahead of time? Yes, assemble the dish, cover it, and keep it in the fridge. Add 5-10 minutes to the bake time if starting from cold.

Is this recipe kid-friendly? Absolutely! The mild, cheesy flavor is a hit with children of all ages.

Easy Thanksgiving Mac and Cheese

Author: Samantha Jones
Total Time: 40
Yield: 8 servings 1x
Diet: Halal-friendly

Print Recipe

Description

Elevate your holiday spread with this Easy Thanksgiving Mac and Cheese, the ultimate comfort food that brings everyone to the table. Combining a silky, homemade cheese sauce with perfectly al dente pasta, this rich and velvety dish features a smoky twist using crispy smoked chicken strips for a savory crunch. It is the perfect Pinterest-worthy side dish for your holiday menu that is guaranteed to have your guests asking for seconds.

Ingredients

Scale

1 lb elbow macaroni
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
4 cups whole milk
4 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
2 cups gruyère cheese, shredded
1 cup crispy smoked chicken strips, chopped
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the macaroni according to package directions until al dente; drain and set aside.
In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter.
Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until nutty.
Slowly pour in the milk while whisking constantly; continue whisking for 5-7 minutes until thick and glossy.
Remove from heat and stir in the cheeses, garlic powder, and paprika until smooth.
Fold in the cooked pasta and the chopped smoked chicken strips.
Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish.
Bake for 15-20 minutes until the top is golden and bubbling.

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days; reheat with a splash of milk to restore creaminess. For a protein swap, smoked beef or venison ham work wonderfully. Always grate your own cheese from a block rather than using pre-shredded for the best melting results.

Prep Time: 15
Cook Time: 25
Category: Recipes
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1.5 cups
Calories: 520
Sugar: 7g
Sodium: 850mg
Fat: 28g
Saturated Fat: 16g
Carbohydrates: 42g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 24g
Cholesterol: 85mg