Swiss Macaroni and Cheese

Macaroni and cheese is the ultimate comfort food. What’s not to love about the combination of gooey cheese and hearty pasta? While there’s no shame in the boxed macaroni and cheese game (especially when you need dinner on the table five minutes ago), most of our best mac and cheese recipes include a homemade sauce. Making it from scratch allows you to customize the ingredients and use unique cheeses to create dishes like Swiss macaroni and cheese.

Homemade cheese sauce is easier to make than you might think. This creamy Swiss cheese-infused sauce comes together in only 20 minutes! It uses simple ingredients found in your fridge and pantry, so you can probably make it without an extra trip to the store. Of course, if you want to get fancy and lean into the Alpine vibes, feel free to pick up a fancy cheese like Appenzeller or Gruyere.

Swiss Macaroni and Cheese Ingredients

• Elbow macaroni
• Onion
• Butter
• All-purpose flour
• Milk
• Swiss cheese
• Salt
• Pepper

Directions

Step 1: Cook the macaroni

Cook the macaroni according to the package directions.

Editor’s Tip: Add cubed potatoes to macaroni for an authentic älplermagronen (an Alpine-style Swiss mac and cheese). Make sure the potatoes are cut small enough so they cook in the same amount of time as the macaroni.

Step 2: Make the cheese sauce

While the pasta cooks, saute the onion in butter in a small saucepan until tender. Stir in the flour until smooth, then gradually add the milk. Bring the mixture to a boil. Cook and stir for two minutes or until thickened. Stir in the cheese, salt and pepper.

Step 3: Add the macaroni

Drain the cooked macaroni. Add the macaroni to the cheese mixture and toss gently to coat.

How to Store Swiss Macaroni and Cheese

Store Swiss macaroni and cheese in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The leftovers will last up to four days.

Swiss Macaroni and Cheese Tips

What can you serve with Swiss macaroni and cheese?

Serve Swiss mac and cheese with hearty German meat dishes like bratwurst, pork schnitzel or Bavarian pot roast. These rich, meaty mains complement the macaroni’s creamy texture and nutty flavor.

What types of cheeses can you use in Swiss mac and cheese?

Amp up the Alpine vibes in this mac and cheese recipe by replacing the Swiss cheese with another melting cheese like Gruyere. You could also use a mix of cheeses, like shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese. For the best results, grate the cheese yourself from a block of cheese. Pre-shredded cheese doesn’t melt as smoothly.

What toppings can you add to Swiss macaroni and cheese?

You can add all kinds of toppings, like caramelized onions, crispy bacon bits or toasted bread crumbs, to Swiss mac and cheese. Plain or seasoned bread crumbs work well in this recipe. If you don’t want to toast the bread crumbs, transfer the macaroni and cheese to an oven-safe pan, top it with fresh bread crumbs and set it under the broiler until the topping is golden brown.