What to make with pasta and cheddar: 28 easy dinners

These 28 dinners all use pasta and cheddar. The quickest is Microwave mac and cheese, on the table in 15 minutes. 16 of them are simple enough for a first try. Under each one is what else you’d need, not counting salt, oil and spices.

Dolly says: In the app, tell me what’s in your kitchen and I’ll plan the whole week around it, then list only what’s missing.

• 

  Microwave mac and cheese

  Also needs frozen broccoli and milk.

  15 min

• 

  Air fryer mac and cheese for two

  Also needs cream cheese, milk and panko breadcrumbs.

  25 min

• 

  Gluten-free mac and cheese

  Also needs Monterey Jack cheese, evaporated milk and ground mustard.

  25 min

• 

  Instant Pot broccoli cheddar pasta

  Also needs vegetable broth, butter, frozen broccoli and milk.

  25 min

• 

  Instant Pot butternut squash mac and cheese

  Also needs butter, frozen butternut squash and milk.

  25 min

• 

  Instant Pot mac and cheese

  Also needs butter, ground mustard and milk.

  25 min

• 

  Instant Pot tuna mac and cheese

  Also needs butter, Dijon mustard, frozen peas and 2 more.

  25 min

• 

  Stovetop mac and cheese

  Also needs butter and milk.

  25 min

• 

  Buffalo chicken mac and cheese

  Also needs rotisserie chicken, butter, milk and 2 more.

  30 min

• 

  Macaroni and tomatoes

  Also needs yellow onions, butter and diced tomatoes.

  30 min

• 

  One-pot cheeseburger pasta

  Also needs yellow onions, 85/15 ground beef, tomato paste and 4 more.

  30 min

• 

  One-pot chili mac

  Also needs yellow onions, diced tomatoes and kidney beans.

  35 min

• 

  Instant Pot cheesy kielbasa pasta

  Also needs smoked kielbasa, yellow onions, butter and 2 more.

  40 min

• 

  American goulash

  Also needs yellow onions, green bell peppers, garlic and 3 more.

  45 min

• 

  Buffalo cauliflower mac and cheese

  Also needs cauliflower, butter, milk and 2 more.

  45 min

• 

  Crab mac and cheese

  Also needs butter, milk, Old Bay seasoning and 3 more.

  45 min

• 

  Filipino spaghetti

  Also needs yellow onions, garlic, 85/15 ground beef and 4 more.

  45 min

• 

  Tuna pasta bake

  Also needs yellow onions, garlic, crushed tomatoes and 2 more.

  45 min

• 

  Sheet pan mac and cheese

  Also needs butter, milk, ground mustard and panko breadcrumbs.

  50 min

• 

  Jalapeño popper mac and cheese

  Also needs jalapeños, butter, milk and 3 more.

  55 min

• 

  Bacon mac and cheese

  Also needs bacon, butter, milk and 2 more.

  60 min

• 

  Chicken spaghetti

  Also needs chicken breasts, butter, yellow onions and 4 more.

  65 min

• 

  Baked spaghetti

  Also needs 85/15 ground beef, yellow onions, garlic and 6 more.

  70 min

• 

  Southern baked mac and cheese

  Also needs butter, Colby Jack cheese, large eggs and 4 more.

  70 min

• 

  Cincinnati chili

  Also needs yellow onions, 85/15 ground beef, beef bouillon cubes and 5 more.

  90 min

• 

  Filipino chicken macaroni salad

  Also needs rotisserie chicken, carrots, celery and 4 more.

  90 min

• 

  Lazy pierogi casserole

  Also needs russet potatoes, yellow onions, butter and milk.

  90 min

• 

  Slow cooker mac and cheese

  Also needs butter, evaporated milk, milk and ground mustard.

  165 min

Dinners from what you already have

Dollop looks at what’s in your fridge and cupboards, plans a week of dinners around it, and writes a grocery list with only what you still need.

Coming soon to iPhone and Android