By Akshara
October 13, 2025
Mac and cheese is creamy, familiar, and very easy to make, but it doesn’t have to be bland or boring. Here are five Indian-style ideas that upgrade this classic into something a little more exciting.
Start with butter, onions, tomatoes, ginger-garlic paste, and Indian masalas. Add milk and cheese to make a spicy, creamy sauce, then toss in cooked macaroni.
Blend palak with green chilli and garlic to make a smooth puree. Add crumbled paneer and mix it into the pasta with some cheese for a green, mildly spicy dish.
Toss plain mac and cheese with a squeeze of lemon, chopped onions, coriander, and chaat masala. Top with a few sev or crushed papdi for crunch.
Use leftover biryani masala or mix garam masala, fried onions, and a pinch of saffron. Stir into creamy pasta for a fusion dish with a familiar aroma.
Mix in grilled tandoori vegetables like capsicum, onion, and baby corn. Add a dollop of hung curd spiced with tandoori masala for a smoky finish.