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Easiest No-Boil Brie Mac and Cheese. Make this on nights when you need a recipe loved by all that takes almost no effort to make! You can’t mess this mac and cheese up! Dry pasta shells baked together with milk, 4 types of cheese, and a buttery Ritz cracker topping. No pre-boiling pasta or messing around with cheese sauce, simply bake and enjoy – so simple and so yummy. Everyone adores this special mac and cheese!
Did you know that mac and cheese is one of the most popular Thanksgiving side dishes aside from all the potatoes, sweet potatoes, and stuffing? Apparently, mac and cheese is right up there in the top 4 with green bean casserole just below or above depending on the state.
Who knew? Surely not me. I didn’t grow up with mac and cheese served at Thanksgiving, but geez, my brothers and I were really missing out. We would have loved a plate of mac and cheese over whatever it was we were eating (usually something “fancy” that we did not enjoy, like glazed carrots).
Anyway, when my cousin Abby mentioned to me that mac and cheese is one of her favorite Thanksgiving side dishes. That’s when I knew this year would be a good year to share this recipe.
It’s actually a rift off of a recipe I made back in 2013. It’s my creamy brie mac and cheese that I actually still make, even nine-ish years later!
I love that mac and cheese, but I had the idea to make it simpler. No boiling, no cheese sauce, nothing fancy. It’s what we NEED on Thanksgiving.
This turned out just so wonderfully delicious. It’s special, not like a classic mac and cheese, but better in its own way. Creamy, extra cheesy, and so yummy with cubes of brie cheese!
Locate the perfect baking dish. I like to use something with lower sides so the top of the mac and cheese can become just a little crisp.
Then mix everything together. And I really mean pretty much everything. The dry pasta, cheeses, milk, sour cream, and seasonings. For the pasta use a smaller shape like elbow macaroni or shells. They’ll cook the best.
Cover the dish with foil, then bake. What happens is the milk bakes into the pasta while the cheeses melt. It works so well, you will be shocked, but pleased.
While the pasta is baking, mix the Ritz cracker up with a little butter and seasonings. Don’t skip the crackers, I think they make this mac and cheese really good!
Top the mac and cheese off with the remaining cheeses and sprinkle over the Ritz. Bake until everything is melted and the sauce is bubbling.
It’s going to smell delicious! The crackers really are the key though, I love them.
You can prepare this ahead of time, then just bake it off before you would like to serve. It’s the perfect easy Thanksgiving side or dinner!
If you’re looking to impress with a side dish, make this. As I’ve said, it’s loved by everyone. You can’t go wrong!
Looking for other Thanksgiving sides? Here are a few ideas:
Bourbon Sweet Potato Casserole with Sweet ‘n’ Savory Bacon Pecans
Shredded Brussels Sprout and Prosciutto Salad
Hasselback Butternut Squash with Sage Butter
Crispy Parmesan Thyme Sweet Potato Stacks
Winter Pomegranate Salad with Maple Candied Walnuts
Citrus Avocado Salad with Orange Tahini Vinaigrette
Kale Caesar Salad with Sweet Potatoes and Crispy Chickpeas
Lastly, if you make this Easiest No-Boil Brie Mac and Cheese. be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Made this recipe and the flavors were absolutely amazing!!! Best mac and cheese I’ve ever made in terms of flavor. Mine did come out really dry though so next time will add more milk and possibly some cream to see if that helps.
Hey Jamey,
Wonderful!! I love to hear that this recipe turned out well for you, thanks for making it and your feedback! xT
Mine came out curdled and grainy! I don’t know why considering the dish had been sitting out 2 hours prior to baking. So it wasn’t extremely cold. What can be done to prevent this? Should I have put it in the over while it was pre-heating?
Hi Ashley,
So sorry to hear this! I wouldn’t have left it sitting fully un-baked for 2 hours, that might have been the issue! xx
Hi Tiegan,
Thank you for this wonderful recipe! If I have family members not a fan of Brie – do you have substitute recommendations? Would some cheddars, fontina, or Gruyère be an ok substitute?
Thank you!
Hi Lyndsey,
You bet, that will work well for you! I hope you love the recipe! xx
Hi there – making tonight for Thanksgiving tomorrow . Any tips on reheating? First time making it but it sounds delicious! Thanks so much- big fan of yours! Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Hey Kristine,
You can cover with foil and reheat on low. I hope you love this recipe! Happy Thanksgiving! xT
Hello Tieghan! I can’t wait to prepare this dish for my family. My question is whether you recover the dish after adding the second portion of the cheeses and the Ritz cracker topping OR do you bake it uncovered?
Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.
Hi Kerri,
In step 4, you are not going to re-cover the dish:) I hope you love this recipe! Happy Thanksgiving! xx
I am going to use cream cheese. When do you suggest I add it in?
Hi Deanna,
I would add it with the brie! I hope you love this recipe!
Hi! I’m planning on prepping this ahead for thanksgiving, I’m wondering if I should just do steps 1-2 through that first bake and then finish it the next day OR put everything in and cover and then do all the baking the next day?
Hi Katherine,
You should be able to make this through step 2 without any issues. You could also just finish the entire recipe and cover with foil to reheat on Thanksgiving. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT
Hi! Can this be made with gluten free noodles? Do you need to cook them at all?
Hi Kristen,
You should be able to follow the recipe as is without any issues:) xx
I did! It was delicious!