Do you keep a stocked pantry at all times? I think most of us would answer yes, even if the things we always want on hand might vary. Meal planning and cooking on busy nights are so much easier when you know certain ingredients are always sitting in your kitchen.
One thing I can always find in the cupboard, no matter what, is elbow macaroni. Not only is it one of the most economical staples you can buy, but there are so many things you can do with it. From simple casseroles to hearty pasta suppers and creamy macaroni salads, those tried-and-true elbows are a busy home cook's best friend. So, I rounded up 52 of the best elbow macaroni recipes for the next time you find yourself with an extra box.
Related: 75 Retro Recipes and Vintage Suppers You Will Remember From Your Childhood
If you browse any recipe book or blog, you will see countless ways to use elbow macaroni in recipes. Here are some of the most popular dishes we love to use it in:
soupscasserolesmacaroni and cheesepasta saladspasta bakeschili macRelated: 101 Classic, Simple and Easy Pasta Recipes
What Is the Most Popular Way to Use Macaroni?
Just because you can do a thousand things with a box of elbow macaroni doesn't mean there isn't one utilization that sits atop the rest as being the number one choice. Can you guess it? Yes! Macaroni and cheese, of course!
Related: 20 Best Instant Pot Mac and Cheese Recipes
When you launch the gallery you will find some things you probably expect, but also some great new ideas for classic macaroni. Easy Goulash has been a family favorite around here for four generations. There is a Homemade Hamburger Helper that will bring back all the childhood feels. The Cajun Pasta Salad would liven up your next burger night and the Budget Hamburger Casserole can save you some extra pennies.
Related: 65 Best Summer Pasta Salad Recipes
In my local grocery stores, I can usually find a one-pound box of elbow macaroni for a dollar or less. Talk about being able to stretch a buck! With these classic, new and unique recipes, I have so many reasons to stock up and make sure the pantry always has a box just waiting on me.
Easy Macaroni Recipes
Easy Goulash
Krista Marshall
Sure to become your go-to dish when time is short.
Get the recipe: Easy Goulash
Related: 60 Easy Pasta Bakes
Easiest, Homemade Macaroni Salad Recipe
Jon Ashton
The pasta salad to beat all pasta salads.
Get the recipe: Easiest, Homemade Macaroni Salad Recipe
Nacho Beef Casserole
Krista Marshall
Every bite of this cheesy casserole tastes like a big plate of nachos.
Get the recipe: Nacho Beef Casserole
Sheet Pan Macaroni and Cheese
Krista Marshall
The best macaroni and cheese of your life begins with a sheet pan!
Get the recipe: Sheet Pan Macaroni and Cheese
Avocado Macaroni Salad
Meal Makeover Moms
No mayo in this mac salad! Instead, it has a homemade dressing with an avocado base.
Get the recipe: Avocado Macaroni Salad
No-Boil Baked Macaroni and Cheese
Krista Marshall
The macaroni boils right in the casserole, saving you time.
Get the recipe: No-Boil Baked Macaroni and Cheese
Homemade Hamburger Helper
Krista Marshall
This will take you back to your childhood without the box.
Get the recipe: Homemade Hamburger Helper
Trisha Yearwood's Slow-Cooker Macaroni and Cheese
iStock
Ms. Yearwood knows great mac and cheese.
Get the recipe: Trisha Yearwood's Slow-Cooker Macaroni and Cheese
Mac ‘n’ Cheese Frittata
John Whaite
A delicious, low-stress skillet meal.
Get the recipe: Mac ‘n’ Cheese Frittata
Copycat Cracker Barrel Restaurant Macaroni and Cheese
Krista Marshall
The restaurant classic can easily be made at home anytime you're craving it.
Get the recipe: Copycat Cracker Barrel Restaurant Macaroni and Cheese
Related: 30 Copycat Olive Garden Recipes
Country Macaroni Salad
Krista Marshall
This mac salad has a secret ingredient everyone will try to guess.
Get the recipe: Country Macaroni Salad
Ham and Macaroni Au Gratin
Alison Ashton
Perfect for a lazy Sunday brunch.
Get the recipe: Ham and Macaroni Au Gratin
Stove Top Mac n Cheese
Krista Marshall
This creamy macaroni and cheese is great when you don't want to turn the oven on.
Get the recipe: Stove Top Mac n Cheese
One Skillet 20-Minute Mac and Cheese with Broccoli
Chad A Elick
So delicious, the kids won't care if they are eating their vegetables.
Get the recipe: One Skillet 20-Minute Mac and Cheese with Broccoli
Copycat Stouffer’s Macaroni and Cheese
Christopher Testani
No need to hit the freezer section for this classic comfort food.
Get the recipe: Copycat Stouffer’s Macaroni and Cheese
BLT Macaroni Salad
Jocelyn Ruggiero
With all the classic BLT ingredients, plus more, you will crave this salad.
Get the recipe: BLT Macaroni Salad
Mac 'n' Cheese Soup
Erin Schmit
A bowl of this cheesy soup is what you want to warm up with on a cold night.
Get the recipe: Mac 'n' Cheese Soup
Best-Ever Amish Macaroni Salad
Krista Marshall
A sweet and tangy macaroni salad with added crunch from fresh veggies.
Get the recipe: Best-Ever Amish Macaroni Salad
Pub-Style Mac and Cheese
Krista Marshall
Yep! There is beer in there!
Get the recipe: Pub-Style Mac and Cheese
Chicken Macaroni Salad
Krista Marshall
Make a batch on the weekend and have lunch all week long.
Get the recipe: Chicken Macaroni Salad
Related: 55 Best Leftover Chicken Recipes
Creamy Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese
Candace Floyd
A great starter recipe you can totally customize.
Get the recipe: Creamy Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese
Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
ZENB
The cheesy flavor will have your kids asking for more.
Get the recipe: Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
Vegan Mac and Cheese
Jessica Seinfeld
This plant-based macaroni and cheese will please everyone at your table.
Get the recipe: Vegan Mac and Cheese
Crock Pot Lamb Ragu
Krista Marshall
If you've never cooked with ground lamb, this is the perfect way to begin.
Get the recipe: Crock Pot Lamb Ragu
Wolfgang Puck's Baked Macaroni and Cheese
Wolfgang Puck
Wolfgang's version has three cheeses and is baked to perfection.
Get the recipe: Wolfgang Puck's Baked Macaroni and Cheese
Creamy Macaroni Salad
Deanna Samaan
This mac salad tastes unlike any other you've had, thanks to green olives.
Get the recipe: Creamy Macaroni Salad
Baked Jalapeno Mac and Cheese
Spend With Pennies
Comfort food with a kick!
Get the recipe: Baked Jalapeno Mac and Cheese
BBQ Macaroni Salad
Plain Chicken
Sure to be a hit at every summer cookout you take it to.
Get the recipe: BBQ Macaroni Salad
Beef and Macaroni Soup
Spend With Pennies
This hearty soup is a great use for leftover browned ground beef and is loaded with flavor.
Get the recipe: Beef and Macaroni Soup
Beef Taco Pasta Skillet
Spend With Pennies
This dish lets elbow macaroni come out to play on Taco Tuesday!
Get the recipe: Beef Taco Pasta Skillet
Related: 42 Mexican Crock Pot Recipes
Cajun Pasta Salad
How To Feed A Loon
Add a little Cajun kick to your next summer cookout.
Get the recipe: Cajun Pasta Salad
Chicken Bacon Ranch Mac n Cheese
Southern Bite
Even picky eaters can't argue with chicken, bacon and ranch!
Get the recipe: Chicken Bacon Ranch Mac n Cheese
Easy Instant Pot American Goulash
The Country Cook
Yes, you can make this classic dish in your Instant Pot!
Get the recipe: Easy Instant Pot American Goulash
Easy Cheesy Macaroni Skillet
The Country Cook
A tasty skillet meal that feeds a hungry crowd with leftovers, too.
Get the recipe: Easy Cheesy Macaroni Skillet
Goulash Soup
Southern Bite
A new twist on this nostalgic recipe everyone loves.
Get the recipe: Goulash Soup
Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
The Country Cook
Add a tropical twist to your next summer picnic basket.
Get the recipe: Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
Homemade Beefaroni
Cupcakes and Kale Chips
You only need five main ingredients to make this childhood classic.
Get the recipe: Homemade Beefaroni
Instant Pot Sausage Mac and Cheese
The Country Cook
A weeknight supper made in just minutes.
Get the recipe: Instant Pot Sausage Mac and Cheese
Macaroni Beef Saute
Plain Chicken
A 20-minute meal where everything cooks in the same skillet.
Get the recipe: Macaroni Beef Saute
One-Pot Pesto Chicken Skillet
Southern Bite
This simple meal is filled with Italian flavors.
Get the recipe: One-Pot Pesto Chicken Skillet
Related: 28 Fuss-Free Skillet Meals
Overnight Chicken Tetrazzini
Plain Chicken
Dump everything in the casserole dish and sit in the fridge overnight.
Get the recipe: Overnight Chicken Tetrazzini
Pesto Mac and Cheese
Spend With Pennies
A grown-up version of this childhood classic.
Get the recipe: Pesto Mac and Cheese
Pimento Cheese Macaroni Salad
The Country Cook
Store-bought pimento cheese is the star of this dish.
Get the recipe: Pimiento Cheese Macaroni Salad
Slow Cooker Macaroni and Cheese With Ham
Plain Chicken
No need to boil the noodles! They cook right in the slow cooker.
Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Macaroni and Cheese With Ham
The Best Chili Mac
The Country Cook
A hearty, simple meal when you're exhausted and starving.
Get the recipe: The Best Chili Mac
BLT Mac and Cheese
Bobbi's Kozy Kitchen
Two classic dishes in on simple, delicious meal.
Get the recipe: BLT Mac and Cheese
The Best Macaroni Salad
The Country Cook
Perfect for your next burger night.
Get the recipe: The Best Macaroni Salad
Sausage and White Bean Ragout
Basilmomma
Yes, you can entertain with an elbow macaroni dish too.
Get the recipe:Sausage and White Bean Ragout
Macaroni and Tomatoes
Julia's Simply Southern
An old-time dish that is just as loved today.
Get the recipe: Macaroni and Tomatoes
Mushroom Swiss Cheeseburger Pasta
Bobbi's Kozy Kitchen
A low-carb pasta dish with a homemade Swiss cheese sauce.
Get the recipe: Mushroom Swiss Cheeseburger Pasta
Related: 55 Best Mushroom Recipes
Jambalaya Pasta With Crawfish and Sausage
Bobbi's Kozy Kitchen
If you've never had crawfish, you're in for a real treat.
Get the recipe: Jambalaya Pasta With Crawfish and Sausage
Mac and Cheese Cupcakes
Everyday Mom's Meals
A hands-friendly mac and cheese perfect for a party.
Get the recipe: Mac and Cheese Cupcakes
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