Mac and cheese gets hot hot hot in this buffalo cheddar mac and cheese with garlic croutons and broccoli.
buffalo cheddar mac and cheese with garlic croutons

When MAC AND CHEESE MANIA WEEK just so happens to coincide with your birthday week?

Basically the definition of kismet.

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Because we know that calories don’t count on your birthday week, and calories also don’t count on holidays (and what is MAC AND CHEESE MANIA WEEK if not a 120 hour holiday?).

And the last time I checked, a minus minus a minus equals a minus.

So the way I see it is that I’ll be BURNING calories this week by eating mac and cheese.

My kind of math.

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So now you’re probably like what is MAC AND CHEESE MANIA WEEK and how can I get involved/justify eating carbs and cheese every day for a week straight.

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Well, it’s a blogger-made holiday hosted by Rachel and Brandy and sponsored by Door to Door Organics and OXO, that celebrates everyone’s favorite comfort food! A whole slew of fabulous bloggers (including yours truly) have come together to create every possible variety of mac and cheese that your hearts could desire.

There will also be great prizes up for grabs, including Door to Door Organics Gift Cards, OXO Gift Baskets, Zak Designs Prize Pack, a year’s supply of Cabot cheese, a Vermont Creamery gift basket, a risotto kit from Marx Foods, Barilla Pasta, Anolon Advanced Bronze 4.5 Qt. Tapered Stockpot, Rachael Ray Stoneware Casseroval, Wusthof CLASSIC Studio Block Set, Microplane Graters and Kitchen Tools, a SavorX Starter Block with spices and Le Cordon Bleu by Swissmar oven to table roasters. Wow. That was a mouthful.

Head on over to  Rachel‘s and Brandy‘s blogs to find out more about how to win these fabulous items and to see what other great recipes have been cooked up for this fun event!

But first, let’s discuss this mac and cheese and why you need it in your week. I stumbled across a spicy (no, but REALLY SPICY) buffalo sauce-infused cheddar cheese at Whole Foods last week (and it was on SALE, no less!) and just knew that I needed it in mac and cheese form with little bites of broccoli florets scattered throughout. For health.

I was originally hellbent on making my own breadcrumbs for a breadcrumb crust until I got bitten by a lazy (post 11 mile run) bug and didn’t feel like breaking out my food processor. So croutons it was! These are extra special because they are tossed with a roasted garlic-infused olive oil, but if you don’t have such a thing hanging around your cabinets, regular olive oil will do!

The resulting mac and cheese was MEGA creamy, MEGA cheesy, and BIG on spice. The.Boy and I sweated through every delicious bite.

And went back for seconds.

Because, birthday/holiday week negative calories. Gotta take advantage while we can.

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One year ago…S’more Nut Bars

Two years ago…Barley Risotto with Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Apples and Champagne Honey Mustard, Chai-Spiced Cupcakes with Honey Frosting

Three years ago…Oven-Fried Chicken and Waffles  with a Pomegranate  Maple Syrup

Four years ago…Chocolate Coconut Banana Bread Pudding, Pork Chop Milanese with Arugula Salad

Five years ago…Crockpot Beef Stroganoff

Buffalo Cheddar Mac and Cheese with Garlic Croutons
 
Mac and cheese gets hot hot hot in this buffalo cheddar mac and cheese with garlic croutons and broccoli.
Yield: 4-6 servings
Ingredients
  • 1 loaf whole wheat Italian bread, cut into cubes
  • ¼ cup garlic-infused olive oil
  • salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1 lb pasta
  • 4 cups broccoli florets, chopped
  • 1½ cups milk, divided
  • 2 tbsp flour
  • 8 oz buffalo cheddar cheese, shredded
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 400.
  2. Toss bread cubes with garlic-infused olive oil. Spread out on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Sprinkle with salt and black pepper. Toast in the oven for 10-15 minutes, or until crispy on the outside.
  3. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until according to package instructions, adding in the broccoli florets during the last 2 minutes of cooking. Strain.
  4. Meanwhile, Bring 1 cup of milk to a simmer. Whisk together the remaining ½ cup milk and 2 tbsp flour. Pour into the simmering milk and whisk until warm and slightly thickened. Stir in the cheese, simmering until melted.
  5. Toss the cheese sauce with the pasta and broccoli. Serve topped with garlicky croutons.
Notes
An Eats Well With Others Original
Nutrition Information
Serving size: ⅙th of recipe

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98 Responses to Buffalo Cheddar Mac and Cheese with Garlic Croutons

  1. […] posts check out all these amazing recipes: Jalapeno Popper Mac & Cheese by Heather’s Dish Buffalo Cheddar Mac and Cheese by Eats Well With Others Creamy Spinach Artichoke Macaroni and Cheese with Gouda by Sarah’s […]

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  5. Kelster says:

    Spicy & cheesy? Sounds heavenly.

  6. […] Popper Mac & Cheese by Heather’s Dish Buffalo Cheddar Mac and Cheese by Eats Well With Others Creamy Spinach Artichoke Macaroni and Cheese with Gouda by Sarah’s […]

  7. This looks so good! And with all that broccoli it is definitely healthy.

  8. Happy birthday week! You have fun eating all the calories in the world. 😀 And I love that pasta shape. Fun!

  9. […] Popper Mac & Cheese by Heather’s Dish Buffalo Cheddar Mac and Cheese by Eats Well With Others Creamy Spinach Artichoke Macaroni and Cheese with Gouda by Sarah’s […]

  10. Love those crunchy garlic croutons! Gotta have a bit of garlic in my macaroni cheese 🙂

  11. Buffalo cheddar cheese?!?!?!?! Ok yes. and obviously in this form!

  12. Johanna GGG says:

    woah – buffalo cheese – sounds too spicy and yet too intriguing to pass up – love your mac and cheese – esp those cute little pasta shapes

  13. […] Buffalo Cheddar Mac and Cheese by Eats Well With Others […]

  14. This looks amaaaazing! I love those pasta shapes 🙂

  15. Yes to this. A thousand times yes. This will be my dinner tonight.

  16. I’ve never heard of buffalo cheddar cheese – bet my boys would gobble this right up!

  17. Corina says:

    This sounds amazing. I may have to make something cheesy myself now to overcome the cravings!

  18. Happy birthday week Joanne! I hope you have a great one!

  19. What a perfect, easy recipe! I’ve never heard of buffalo infused cheese. Gonna make it a mission to find it now. I always need a good excuse to go to Whole Foods, this is definitely one!

  20. Yummm! I bet the buffalo cheese works wonders here. I can definitely make an Inspiralized version of this!

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  22. First off, a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you! And I definitely think mac and cheese is an awesome way to celebrate (among other things, of course). Hope you have a wonderful bday week and that this is a wonderful year for you.

  23. […] Popper Mac & Cheese by Heather’s Dish Buffalo Cheddar Mac and Cheese by Eats Well With Others Creamy Spinach Artichoke Macaroni and Cheese with Gouda by Sarah’s […]

  24. Who doesn’t love mac and cheese? We Love the ingredients in this recipe! Have a wonderful Birthday too!

  25. Julia says:

    Haaaaaaaaaappy birthday week!! I’m so excited for mac n cheese week, I can barely stand it! Those pasta noodles! OMG, those pasta noodles! Never have I ever seen noodles like that and they look like they trap in so much cheesy goodness in their open-face glory. I’ve never tried buffalo mac and now it’s time to get my buffalo mac ON!

  26. Abby says:

    The best week ever! I love that you kept the broccoli florets in it 🙂 What a fun idea!

  27. […] Buffalo Cheddar Mac and Cheese by Eats Well With Others Creamy Spinach Artichoke Macaroni and Cheese with Gouda by Sarah’s Cucina Bella Light Sweet Potato Mac ‘n Cheese Recipe by Cookin’ Canuck Macaroni and Cheese Fritters by Amuse Your Bouche Skinny Chicken Mac and Cheese Casserole by A Zesty Bite Creamy Pancetta + Leek Macaroni and Cheese by Simply Scratch Smoked Bacon Mac and Cheese by Cravings of a Lunatic Pizza Mac and Cheese by Very Culinary Crab Mac and Cheese by Dine & Dish Bacon & Eggs Breakfast Mac & Cheese by Sweet Remedy Fried Mac & Cheese Balls by The Little Kitchen Sweet Pork Macaroni and Cheese by Oh, Sweet Basil Butternut Squash Quinoa Mac n’ Cheese Bake by Queen of Quinoa Lightened Up Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese by Prevention RD Butternut Mac and Cheese with Pretzel Crust by Healthy. Delicious. Skinny Greek Mac and Cheese with Crunchy Pita Chip Topping by The Law Student’s Wife Potato Skin Mac and Cheese by Eat Your Heart Out Homestyle Baked Mac & Cheese by Pocket Change Gourmet Bacon Mac and Cheese Egg Rolls by Miss in the Kitchen Pepper Jack Mac and Cheese by Crunchy Creamy Sweet Blue Cheese Bechamel Mac and Cheese by Sweetphi Korean Mac & Cheese by Cooking with Books Black and Blue Mac and Cheese by Fabtastic Eats Tomato and Leek Mac and Cheese by Susie Freaking Homemaker Healthier Mac & Cheese with Chipotle Peppers by Go Gingham Mac and Cheese Ice Cream by Fat Girl Trapped in a Skinny Body Blue Cheese & Bacon Macaroni & Cheese by Gimme Some Oven Poutine Mac and Cheese with Andouille Gravy by Climbing Grier Mountain Double Smoked Chicken Mac and Cheese by Girl Carnivore Creamy Greek Yogurt Mac and Cheese with Peas and Bacon by Running to the Kitchen Nudel Gratin by Crumbs and Chaos Mushroom and Truffle Sea Salt White Cheddar Macaroni and Cheese by Big Bear’s Wife Roasted Poblano and Goat Cheese Mac by Daisy at Home Creamy Cauliflower ‘n Cheese with Bacon by Barefeet in the Kitchen Wisconsin Cheese, Brats, and Onion Macaroni and Cheese by a farmgirl’s dabbles Spinach Queso Mac & Cheese by Bake Your Day Roasted Garlic Mac and Cheese with a Pancetta Parmesan Crust by Mountain Mama Cooks French Onion Mac & Cheese by Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts Healthier Macaroni and Cheese by Texanerin Baking Pulled Pork Mac and Cheese by CafeTerraBlog Macaroni and Cheese Stuffed Peppers by Cook the Story Jack Daniels Mac and Cheese by The Slow Roasted Italian Lobster Mac and Cheese by FoodieCrush Green Chili 5-cheese Baked Mac and Cheese by A Southern Fairytale Homemade Elbow Noodle Tutorial + a Recipe for Roasted Veggie Mac by Bakeaholic Mama Salsa Verde Mac-n-Cheese (two ways) by Eat2Gather Cauliflower Mac and Cheese with Crispy Panko Topping by The Lemon Bowl […]

  28. I’m stunned you didn’t put some squash in there – THAT would have made it the best birthday dinner! Also? I WANT ALL THE MAC AND CHEESE. Lol. Love yours!

  29. Buffalo cheddar deliciousness is what this is! … and the croutons! I die.

  30. […] out all the great recipes happening today: Jalapeno Popper Mac & Cheese by Heather’s Dish Buffalo Cheddar Mac and Cheese by Eats Well With Others Creamy Spinach Artichoke Macaroni and Cheese with Gouda by Sarah’s […]

  31. Megan says:

    I definitely need this mac and cheese in my life! It sounds/looks amazing!

  32. Jessie says:

    Happy Birthday Week! (Which is totally a legitimate thing.) I’d like this spicy mac and cheese on my birthday, especially with those crisp croutons. Enjoy this gorgeous cake and live it up on your birthday!

  33. cheri says:

    Happy Birthday Joanne, mac n cheese is the perfect way to celebrate birthday week for sure and this looks awesome. Love the broccoli bits.

  34. That looks mega delicious! Love the add of garlic croutons.

  35. […] Popper Mac & Cheese by Heather’s Dish Buffalo Cheddar Mac and Cheese by Eats Well With Others Creamy Spinach Artichoke Macaroni and Cheese with Gouda by Sarah’s […]

  36. danielle says:

    I love that you added some buffalo flair to your mac n cheese. I love a little heat and this sounds delicious.

  37. […] Popper Mac & Cheese by Heather’s Dish Buffalo Cheddar Mac and Cheese by Eats Well With Others Creamy Spinach Artichoke Macaroni and Cheese with Gouda by Sarah’s […]

  38. Hot-diggity-dog – happy Week-Long Birthday Celebrations Joanne!
    Mac n cheese is my daughters all time fav and she will love these week long mac n cheese fest!

  39. I can definitely handle a week long holiday that involves eating mac and cheese! Love the spiciness!

  40. Sarah says:

    This sounds so delicious! I have been on a Buffalo kick lately… I’m surprised at myself that I didn’t try to do a buffalo mac! Ha! Well you’ve done it for me. So now I’m off to the store to find that amazing cheese! Also, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

  41. sandra says:

    give me mac and cheese any time (even though I really shouldn’t eat all that cheese). I generally pass croutons by – pick them out of my salad, actually, but these look really good! Whole wheat, no?

  42. OH MY WORD!!! So, this means I can have two or three bowls, right? 🙂

  43. I love how you can use ‘lazy’ and ‘post 11 mile run’ in the same sentence 😉
    This is seriously my idea of heaven you know how much I love spicy foods! Dang kids are cramping my style 😉 I put broccoli in my M&C too!

  44. An 11 mile run justifies eating Mac and Cheese for an entire year. I need to get in on the celebrations!

  45. I love this pasta shape. LOVE IT. Also, you are good at math;)

  46. Pam says:

    What a great way to celebrate your birthday week. It looks TASTY!!!

  47. Kate says:

    We had mac and cheese the past 2 weeks. I’m either way out of the loop, or totally ahead of the game.

  48. Beth says:

    I would NEVER call you lazy, Joanne! But the croutons were a great solution.

  49. grace says:

    love the pasta shape, love the broccoli, love the flavors. very nice take on mac and cheese!

  50. I love buffalo flavored cheese! And I love mac and cheese more. What a great way to start your birthday week!

  51. Happy Birthday to you!! I hope it’s fantastic!

  52. […] Popper Mac & Cheese by Heather’s Dish Buffalo Cheddar Mac and Cheese by Eats Well With Others Creamy Spinach Artichoke Macaroni and Cheese with Gouda by Sarah’s […]

  53. That looks SO GOOD! I might modify this and use some Cabot Bacon Cheddar I have lurking in my fridge.

  54. I would love to have this for lunch right about now. So delicious!

  55. Shannon says:

    mike would most definitely add hot sauce to this 🙂 what a great way to start celebrating your birthday week!

  56. BEST BIRTHDAY WEEK EVER! This reminds me of the velveeta broccoli mac we had as kids (yes, I was the weird kid who liked the broccoli one), except 1,000x classier and more flavorful!

  57. Happy Birthday! Buffalo mac and cheese is a fantastic idea. That kick of spice sounds like a great way to change things up.

  58. Deena kakaya says:

    Smooth oozy cheese with garlic crunchy croutons…who could resist x

  59. You cannot go wrong with broccoli and cheddar, why not put it in mac n’ cheese form?

  60. rachel says:

    What a fun twist on Mac and Cheese! SO yummy – I’m all about anything buffalo chicken! This is such a fun link up!

  61. Eileen says:

    I love the idea of adding a crispy crouton to a bowl of creamy mac & cheese! Such a great texture contrast. 🙂

  62. Mac and cheese mania week? Count me in! This looks so yum 🙂

  63. I love the added spice and the croutons. Well done, Joanne!

  64. Happy Birthday indeed! I need to find some of this cheddar, I have not seen buffalo cheddar before!

  65. what a fun recipe! looks amazing, joanne.

  66. Mac and cheese with CROUTONS?! I need like five bowls!

  67. Christina says:

    Happy birthday week! I must try this! Buffalo cheddar? Yum yum..!!

  68. Daniela says:

    LOL, about your kind of math – seems to be my kind of math as well:)
    I could have this Mac and cheese dish any time, definitely a delish comfort food.

  69. Mac and cheese is my weakness. The addition of the buffalo cheese sounds amazing! Happy almost birthday 🙂

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  71. This is stunning, Joanne! I want it for diiiiiinner asap!

  72. Hotly Spiced says:

    Happy birthday! I love the look of the pasta you bought for this dish. I don’t think I’ve seen it here in Oz. I don’t have an issue with carbs but I know plenty of people who do. They won’t eat carbs at night! I just think a warm bowl of pasta is one of the best mid-weak meals ever xx

  73. Christine says:

    Happy B-day week Joanne!!! Hope it’s wonderful! I’m so glad you posted the crouton recipe ’cause I have half a loaf of semi-stale multi-grain that needs to get used up. Do you have any idea what kind of pasta that is? I’ve never seen anything like it. Love the idea of using broccoli with the mac and cheese. Again, Happiest of Birthdays sweetie!

  74. ramblingtart says:

    I’ve been craving mac and cheese for two weeks straight. 🙂 Simply must pick up milk tomorrow so I can make it. 🙂

  75. such a simple and great looking mac and cheese!

  76. JulieD says:

    Happy birthday, Joanne!! This looks amazing!!! Yes to anything buffalo!

  77. I love mac n cheese and this dish sounds like a winner to me!

  78. Happy Birthday week!! I hope it is a great one,. I could eat this mac and cheese. I like this, it not your everyday mac and cheese.

  79. P says:

    I love the shape of this macaroni—helps to hold onto more cheese!

  80. Katerina says:

    Happy birthday Joanne and you couldn’t find a better way to celebrate than with this delicious pasta dish!

  81. Veronica says:

    Usually I’m not a fan of buffalo sauce but I’d totally hit a buffalo mac ‘n cheese, esp with the broccoli for health! 🙂

  82. […] Buffalo Cheddar Mac and Cheese with Garlic Croutons […]

  83. What an awesome variation. It does not get more original than this. I never thought of adding croutons to mac and cheese but I bet it gives it a nice crunch 🙂

  84. Oh MY!! Can you please ship me some of this?! It looks so, good! I’m in love with that pasta shape too! *HAPPY BIRTHDAY WEEK!!*

  85. Woohoo! I always love birthday week- I eat whatever I want and say well, of course I have to celebrate, it would be wrong not to. Cheese is always an amazing celebration and this mac and cheese is a great birthday-week-celebration-meal-starter. Woo, that’s a mouthful!

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  88. That’s my kind of math too hehe ;–) I love this mac & cheese and the croutons topping sounds incredible. Ahhh brilliant 😀

  89. Kim Beaulieu says:

    I’m totally digging this mac n cheese. All my favourite things in one dish.

  90. Reeni says:

    You just inspired my love affair with buffalo-flavored-everything to continue! This sounds and looks crazy good! I have to get my hands on some of that cheese!

  91. A whole week of Mac and Cheese sounds like a great week to me! Happy Birthday!

  92. Rachel Cooks says:

    Croutons on mac and cheese!?! I love it!!! Thanks for helping us kick off mac and cheese mania with this amazing recipe!

  93. Happy birthday! It was my birthday this week too and I told my husband the same as you just said…calories don’t count! 🙂
    I love this dish! It looks delicious and easy. 🙂

  94. I feel this recipe was totally made for me. Buffalo cheddar cheese and delicious croutons….yes please! Also, I’m totally going to find that buffalo cheese. I need it in my life!

  95. […] Popper Mac & Cheese by Heather’s Dish Buffalo Cheddar Mac and Cheese by Eats Well With Others Creamy Spinach Artichoke Macaroni and Cheese with Gouda by Sarah’s […]

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