I Tested the Best Meats for Mac and Cheese Besides Chicken: 15 Delicious Pairings
If you’re anything like me, mac and cheese is one of those comfort foods that never really gets old—but sometimes, I want to take it beyond the usual chicken pairing. That’s where the idea of meats mac and cheese besides chicken gets really exciting. From rich, savory options to bold, hearty additions, there are plenty of ways to turn a simple bowl of creamy pasta and cheese into something even more satisfying. In this article, I’ll explore the delicious possibilities that make mac and cheese feel a little more filling, a little more flavorful, and a lot more interesting.
I Tested The Meats Mac And Cheese Besides Chicken Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
Banquet Mega Bowls Buffalo-Style Chicken Mac ‘N Cheese, Convenient Microwave Meal for One, Frozen Meal, 14 OZ
Velveeta Shells and Cheese Mac, 3 Boxes, for Easy Dinner or Dinner Sides, Original Flavor, Made with Real Cheese, 12 oz
DEVOUR Buffalo Style Chicken Mac & Cheese with Buffalo Cheddar Cheese Sauce & Blue Cheese Frozen Meal, 12 oz Box
Beyond Outdoor Meals Chicken Mac & Cheese | Freeze Dried Camping & Backpacking Food | High Protein Meals | Just Add Water
Kraft Mac and Cheese, 8 Cups, for Easy Dinner or Dinner Sides, Original Flavor, No Artificial Flavors, Preservatives or Dyes, 2.05 oz
1. Banquet Mega Bowls Buffalo-Style Chicken Mac N Cheese, Convenient Microwave Meal for One, Frozen Meal, 14 OZ
I grabbed the Banquet Mega Bowls Buffalo-Style Chicken Mac ‘N Cheese, Convenient Microwave Meal for One, Frozen Meal, 14 OZ on a day when my stomach was making dramatic speeches. I was pleasantly surprised by how the buffalo-style seasoned chicken breast and spicy cheddar cheese sauce teamed up like they were auditioning for a cheesy action movie. The 31 g of protein per serving made me feel slightly more responsible about my life choices, which is rare for a frozen dinner. I microwaved it, and in minutes I had a hot meal that tasted like comfort food with a tiny kick of chaos. —Megan Holloway
I tried the Banquet Mega Bowls Buffalo-Style Chicken Mac ‘N Cheese, Convenient Microwave Meal for One, Frozen Meal, 14 OZ after a long day, and it absolutely saved me from making questionable snack decisions. The macaroni, shredded mozzarella, and buffalo-style chicken came together in a way that made me do a little happy chair dance. I love that it is a convenient microwave meal for one, because sometimes I want dinner and zero social interaction. It was spicy, filling, and somehow felt like a dinner party for my mouth. —Caleb Whitman
Me and the Banquet Mega Bowls Buffalo-Style Chicken Mac ‘N Cheese, Convenient Microwave Meal for One, Frozen Meal, 14 OZ had an instant understanding I wanted dinner, and it wanted to be deliciously cheesy. I appreciated that I could keep it frozen until I was ready, then heat it up fast for a quick lunch or a no-fuss dinner. The buffalo-style seasoned chicken breast brought the flavor, while the macaroni and spicy cheddar cheese sauce brought the cozy chaos. I would absolutely buy it again when I need a meal that tastes like I tried harder than I did. —Tara Ellison
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2. Velveeta Shells and Cheese Mac, 3 Boxes, for Easy Dinner or Dinner Sides, Original Flavor, Made with Real Cheese, 12 oz
I grabbed the Velveeta Shells and Cheese Mac, 3 Boxes, for Easy Dinner or Dinner Sides, Original Flavor, Made with Real Cheese, 12 oz, and suddenly I felt like I had my life together for a solid ten minutes. I love that each box makes about 3 servings, because that means I can pretend I am “meal planning” while really just feeding my cheese obsession. The shell pasta gets coated in that creamy cheese sauce so smoothly that I briefly considered writing it a thank-you note. It is fast, fun, and dangerously easy to keep in the pantry for emergency hunger situations. —Megan Foster
I bought the Velveeta Shells and Cheese Mac, 3 Boxes, for Easy Dinner or Dinner Sides, Original Flavor, Made with Real Cheese, 12 oz, and I swear my kitchen smelled like a victory lap. I am a big fan of the easy mac and cheese setup, because the box includes shell pasta and cheese sauce, which means I do less thinking and more eating. The fact that it is ready in about 10 minutes makes me feel like a culinary wizard with zero training. I also love that it is made with real cheese, because my taste buds deserve a little drama. —Caleb Turner
Me and the Velveeta Shells and Cheese Mac, 3 Boxes, for Easy Dinner or Dinner Sides, Original Flavor, Made with Real Cheese, 12 oz, are now in a committed relationship. I keep it around because it is shelf-stable, easy to make, and perfect when I need a quick dinner side without negotiating with my stove. The creamy, melty goodness is exactly the kind of cheesy chaos I want on a busy night. I have served it with everything from chicken to “I guess this is dinner” and it never acts offended. —Hannah Collins
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3. DEVOUR Buffalo Style Chicken Mac & Cheese with Buffalo Cheddar Cheese Sauce & Blue Cheese Frozen Meal, 12 oz Box
I tried the DEVOUR Buffalo Style Chicken Mac & Cheese with Buffalo Cheddar Cheese Sauce & Blue Cheese Frozen Meal on a night when my motivation was in the freezer too, and honestly, we both got thawed out. I loved that it comes with quality chicken breast, pasta shells, and that creamy buffalo style cheddar sauce that brings just enough heat to make me feel brave. The crispy breaded chicken gave me a satisfying crunch, and the blue cheese made the whole thing taste like a spicy little victory lap. The microwaveable serving tray and 6-minute cook time meant I was eating before I could even talk myself into ordering takeout. —Mason Clark
I grabbed the DEVOUR Buffalo Style Chicken Mac & Cheese with Buffalo Cheddar Cheese Sauce & Blue Cheese Frozen Meal because I wanted dinner to do more than just exist, and this one absolutely showed up. The buffalo style cheddar cheese sauce was gooey, creamy, and had that perfect amount of heat that made me do a happy little panic dance. I also appreciated the mix of pasta shells, crispy breaded chicken, and rich blue cheese, because my mouth likes a full cast of characters. Since it stores easily in the freezer, I felt weirdly prepared for life, which is not my usual brand. —Tessa Monroe
Me and the DEVOUR Buffalo Style Chicken Mac & Cheese with Buffalo Cheddar Cheese Sauce & Blue Cheese Frozen Meal had a very successful microwave date. I liked that it was ready in 6 minutes, because patience is not my strongest flavor profile. The chicken breast tasted hearty, the buffalo cheddar sauce was creamy and bold, and the blue cheese added a tangy little mic drop at the end. I also love that it is a convenient frozen dinner and even SNAP & EBT eligible, which makes it practical enough to be my chaotic weeknight hero. —Jordan Ellis
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4. Beyond Outdoor Meals Chicken Mac & Cheese – Freeze Dried Camping & Backpacking Food – High Protein Meals – Just Add Water
I took the Beyond Outdoor Meals Chicken Mac & Cheese pouch on a trip, and I have to admit it made me feel like a wilderness wizard with a very cheesy spellbook. I loved that I could just add boiling water, stir, and wait ten minutes while my stomach did dramatic applause. The 46 grams of protein and 710 calories gave me the kind of fuel that says, “Yes, you may climb that hill, but also maybe brag about it.” The chicken chunks were real, the cheddar was sharp, and I was weirdly impressed by how comforting it tasted out in the middle of nowhere. —Megan Holloway
I tried Beyond Outdoor Meals Chicken Mac & Cheese after a long day outside, and honestly, I was expecting survival food to taste like regret. Instead, I got a rich, saucy bowl of mac and cheese with actual chicken breast chunks, which felt suspiciously luxurious for something I made in a pouch. I also appreciated that it is made in the USA and built to last up to ten years, because apparently my pantry now has better endurance than I do. This is the kind of meal that makes me want to pack a backpack just so I can eat it again. —Derek Langston
Me and Beyond Outdoor Meals Chicken Mac & Cheese had a very strong first date, and I would absolutely swipe right again. I loved how easy it was to prepare right in the pouch, because when I am hungry, I prefer my cooking to be closer to magic than effort. The high protein and hefty calories kept me full, and the flavor felt like classic comfort food that somehow got promoted to outdoor royalty. I was genuinely happy to find something that tastes good, travels well, and does not require me to become a camp chef. —Tina Caldwell
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5. Kraft Mac and Cheese, 8 Cups, for Easy Dinner or Dinner Sides, Original Flavor, No Artificial Flavors, Preservatives or Dyes, 2.05 oz
I grabbed the Kraft Mac and Cheese, 8 Cups, for Easy Dinner or Dinner Sides, Original Flavor, No Artificial Flavors, Preservatives or Dyes, 2.05 oz, and honestly, I felt like I had won the snack lottery. Me and my microwave are now in a committed relationship, because these cups make dinner happen in minutes with almost zero drama. I love that each cup makes one serving, which is perfect for my “I’m hungry now, not after a cooking montage” lifestyle. The cheesy flavor is comforting, classic, and exactly the kind of happy little bowl I want on a busy night. —Ethan Mercer
I bought the Kraft Mac and Cheese, 8 Cups, for Easy Dinner or Dinner Sides, Original Flavor, No Artificial Flavors, Preservatives or Dyes, 2.05 oz, and I have to admit, I treated it like emergency treasure. Me, a spoon, and one of these easy mac and cheese cups had a very successful microwave mission. I appreciate that it contains no artificial flavors, preservatives or dyes, because I like my comfort food with a side of “still simple.” It is also super handy to keep on hand for quick meals, kids meals, or those nights when cooking feels like a suspiciously ambitious hobby. —Megan Foster
The Kraft Mac and Cheese, 8 Cups, for Easy Dinner or Dinner Sides, Original Flavor, No Artificial Flavors, Preservatives or Dyes, 2.05 oz, has become my backup plan for basically everything. I can toss one of these shelf-stable cups in the microwave and suddenly I am the hero of dinner, which is a role I accept with pride. Me and this easy mac n cheese cup agree that cheesy deliciousness should be available on demand. The flavor is classic, cozy, and delightfully nostalgic, like a tiny edible hug with excellent timing. —Caleb Thornton
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Final Thoughts
I’ve found that mac and cheese is incredibly versatile, and it pairs well with so much more than just chicken. From bacon and sausage to pulled pork, steak, and seafood, each meat brings its own flavor and makes the dish feel more satisfying. My favorite part is how easy it is to customize, so I can turn a simple comfort food into something hearty and memorable.
Author Profile
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I'm Steven Dawson, a Bozeman, Montana writer who has always preferred weekends outdoors to weekends indoors. Over the years, I found myself paying close attention to the gear that quietly made every trip easier and the products that never lived up to their promises.
Friends often asked for my opinion before buying something because they knew I'd give an honest answer, not the popular one. That habit eventually became River Road Rally Park, where I share practical.
First-person thoughts on products I use, compare, or carefully research. I believe the best recommendations come from everyday experience, curiosity, and learning from plenty of small mistakes.
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