All Grown-Up: 12 Macaroni and Cheese Recipes for the Mature Kid

The secret here is that there's no cheese involved! Instead, velvety pumpkin purée gives this dish the appearance of your favorite mac and cheese (and it tastes pretty stellar, too) but makes for a healthier and more flavorful alternative.

This is one of the most dressed-to-impress adult macaroni and cheese recipes, complete with chopped cauliflower, lots of garlic, broccoli florets, and chopped ham. There's also plenty of flavor and texture in this crowd-ready casserole.

Simple and oh, so good are the two phrases we'd use to describe this understated variation of macaroni and cheese. If you want the same flavor and creaminess found in classic macaroni and cheese but something just a little more unique, this is the recipe for you. Plus, you'll be able to get it on the table in just 30 minutes (no oven time needed!).

This dish is classic macaroni and cheese through and through. That is, until you get to the top. Sliced Roma tomatoes add vibrant color and texture to take this dish just slightly out of the ordinary.

Even though some say cacio e pepe is the original grown-up macaroni and cheese, we wanted to give it even more spunk. Fresh Meyer lemon juice and zest brighten up the flavors in this classic Italian dish.

For a casual party complete with comfort food appetizers, make these fried bites. Inside is the most decadent macaroni and cheese you can imagine. They're absolutely irresistible and will be gone before you know it.

This version of a classic baked pasta dish is even richer, creamier, and tangier thanks to the inclusion of cream cheese. It's a dressed up version of a family-favorite that everyone will want to indulge in.

What makes this grown-up macaroni and cheese? Sliced cremini mushrooms, that's what. When sautéed, the sliced 'shrooms add meatiness and a bit of umami to this vegetarian main course.

In between macaroni and cheese and pasta carbonara is this flavorful pasta. Grab a fork and twirl strands of spaghetti coated in a mix of melted cheese, fresh thyme, and bacon pieces. It takes less than an hour to put on the table, so get ready to see this in constant rotation during the week.

When you want macaroni and cheese to feel a little more balanced, add in boneless, skinless chicken breasts for protein and broccolini for a vitamin-rich vegetable. The sauce gets an adult upgrade with a mix of Dijon mustard and cream cheese.

Streamline supper with store-bought gnocchi. Parmesan, creamy, and soft-boiled eggs create a luscious coating on the potato-based pasta with peas for an adult comfort food.

Kick it up a notch—that's what we're doing to this creamy macaroni and cheese. Sliced scallions, sharp Monterey Jack and white cheddar cheese, and diced jalapeños add serious heat that's for adults only.

When asparagus is in season, it absolutely shines in this simple cheesy pasta dish. Give it a quick broil for one to two minutes to create a golden brown crust on top. No kids allowed.