Macaroni and cheese (also referred to as macaroni cheese in the United Kingdom and mac 'n' cheese in parts of the United States and Canada) was created to be a common casserole, similar to the British dish cauliflower cheese.

Packaged versions are available, consisting of boxed pasta and a cheese powder, to which are added butter (or margarine) and milk (or water). The best known of these is Kraft Dinner (Canada)/Kraft Macaroni and Cheese (US) product. Extra ingredients, like ground beef, ketchup, jalapeños, sliced hot dogs, ham, bacon, tuna, tomatoes, broccoli, and other vegetables are sometimes incorporated into the dish. The product can be prepared in a microwave, baked in traditional oven, or cooked on a kitchen stove top.

While marketed towards children, it also appeals to adults.