Mac and cheese is a classic comfort food loved by people of all ages. But have you ever wondered what makes the perfect mac and cheese? One of the most critical components is the cheese. With so many options available, choosing one can be complicated. From cheddar to gouda, parmesan to blue cheese, it’s not easy to choose, especially when you’re vegan or lactose-intolerant. Fortunately, we are ready to help by explaining the best cheese options for a tasty mac and cheese.

It’s one of the most underrated cheeses in cooking when it shouldn’t be! Gouda cheese is a Dutch cheese with a nutty and sweet flavor profile. It melts smoothly, creating a creamy texture in the sauce. It’s an excellent choice if you want a milder flavor than cheddar cheese but still want a rich sauce. Gouda cheese gives your mac & cheese a sophisticated taste without turning off picky eaters, so don’t take it for granted!

Fontina cheese is an Italian cheese with a buttery and nutty flavor. Melts as easily as the other options on this list, so it creates a creamy texture in the sauce too. Fontina’s semi-soft to hard texture makes it easy to melt compared to other cheeses like Feta. Plus, it doesn’t tire you out as cheddar or other options if you’re a picky eater. Keep in mind that Fontinas from the U.S., Denmark, and Sweden usually have a softer texture and milder flavor than those of Italy.

Brie cheese is a French cheese that has a creamy and buttery flavor. It melts easily, creating a silky and creamy texture in the sauce. You should choose Brie cheese to get a rich mac and cheese. When we're in the mood for a luxurious treat, we opt for brie cheese in our mac and cheese recipe. Its creamy texture makes it perfect for coating the noodles, resulting in the most indulgent mac and cheese. However, it's crucial to remove the rind before using it.

Gruyère cheese has a hard texture, but it melts wonderfully. Therefore, it’s an excellent addition to mac and cheese recipes. Its saltiness adds a pleasant contrast to the rich flavors, while the nutty notes provide a distinctive taste. Incorporating Gruyère into your mac and cheese is an ideal way to introduce complexity to the dish while satisfying even the most finicky eaters. With its slightly nutty taste, it’s an ideal melting cheese, adding a rich and velvety texture to any dish.

It’s probably the most popular cheese from Italy, and we know why! It has a nutty and salty flavor that incorporates a delicious taste into any dish. It’s a hard cheese that grates well, making it a great option as a topping for mac and cheese. It adds a savory flavor to the dish and creates a crispy texture on top. In addition to its distinctive nutty taste, Parmesan delivers the desired salty flavor that elevates the dish's overall taste.

Mac and cheese is a classic dish that can be customized in numerous ways to cater to various tastes. Choosing the right cheese(s) can make all the difference in creating the perfect mac and cheese. Whether you prefer a gooey, cheesy texture or a more complex, nuanced flavor profile, there’s a cheese that can deliver what you're looking for.

For those who follow a vegan or keto lifestyle, it may be challenging to find a vegan and keto drive-thru restaurant in Mesa that suits your dietary restrictions. However, fear not! At Make A Mac we offer a creative and innovative menu with a range of mouth-watering mac and cheese dishes that cater to different dietary needs without compromising on taste. So why not give us a try and indulge in a guilt-free mac and cheese feast? Your taste buds will thank you!