Kansas City Chiefs Coach Andy Reid’s Famous Mac and Cheese Will Be the MVP of Your Super Bowl Party

The Kansas City Chiefs have become a household name in the last few years. And no, that's not only because of Taylor Swift's famous romance with tight end Travis Kelce, forever uniting Red Coaters and Red album listeners.

The super successful NFL football team itself has some serious game. Leading the charge is head coach Andy Reid, who has been at the helm as the team has cliched playoff victories and three Super Bowl wins. We recently came across some internet chatter that Coach Reid also knows a thing about winning big outside Arrowhead Stadium, specifically in his home kitchen and more specifically around his famous mac and cheese.  Once I saw the amount of cheese called for, I knew his recipe was a must-try. Here's what happened when I gave it a go at my house.

Get the recipe: Andy Reid’s Famous Mac n Cheese 

What Is Andy Reid’s Famous Mac and Cheese?

Andy Reid’s mac and cheese isn’t your average side dish. It’s an all-star casserole that combines six cheeses with crispy bacon and a crunchy panko topping. The head coach loves to cook, reportedly having "an unfathomable amount" of recipes saved on his phone according to NFL writer Charles McDonald. The story goes that McDonald and Reid started up a conversation about food (the great unifier) during a chance encounter at the airport and Reid ended up texting him the list of cheeses he uses in his famous recipe. McDonald tweeted about it and the rest, as they say, is history.

Related: I Made Mama Kelce's Famous Chocolate Chip Cookies and They Just Hit Different

Pete Sweeney of the Chiefs blog Arrowhead Pride then converted the list of cheeses into an actual recipe which he says "was one of the best things I’ve ever eaten.” Redditors agree, with many saying it's a solid recipe that's straightforward, simple and feeds a huge crowd. "I made this last year for our Super Bowl party and it was a big hit," says one.

Related: Our 10 Best Super Bowl Recipes Made by Legendary NFL Football Players (Plus Mama Kelce)

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Ingredients for Andy Reid’s Famous Mac and Cheese

This mac and cheese starts with elbow pasta and a luscious cheese sauce made from butter, salt, dry mustard, flour, whole milk, fontina, sharp cheddar, mozzarella, parmesan, gouda and Gruyère. For the topping, you need panko breadcrumbs, more cheese and parsley.

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How to Make Andy Reid’s Famous Mac and Cheese

Start by cooking the elbow pasta. While the pasta is cooking, combine a mix of cheeses and breadcrumbs for the topping in a small bowl. Cook bacon until crispy, crumble it, and set aside. Melt butter in the bacon grease, whisk in flour, salt, and dry mustard, and cook until golden. Gradually stir in the milk and cook until thickened, then add the cheeses, stirring until smooth. Combine the cheese sauce with the pasta, pour into a buttered baking dish, and top with the breadcrumb mixture and bacon. Bake at 450° until golden and bubbly. Let rest and garnish with parsley before serving.

Related: The Best Mac and Cheese of Your Life Starts With a Sheet Pan

My Honest Thoughts About Andy Reid’s Famous Mac and Cheese

I’ve tried plenty of mac and cheese recipes over the years, but Andy Reid’s version is truly the stuff of wildest dreams. With six different cheeses, it’s almost absurdly decadent—but in the best way. The sharp tang of cheddar, the creamy silkiness of fontina and mozzarella, and the nutty depth of gouda and Gruyère come together for a flavor explosion that’s pure perfection.

Related: How To Make the Best Ever Mac and Cheese, According to Dolly Parton (And Her Sister)

And then there's the panko and cheese topping. It delivers the kind of Instagram-worthy golden crust that really highlights those cheese pulls. Next time, I’d tweak it slightly by adding a touch more salt and swapping the dry mustard for Dijon to give it an extra pop of flavor.

Sure, this dish takes time and leaves a pile of dishes in its wake, but it’s 100% worth it. It’s the kind of recipe you’ll make once and immediately start thinking about the next occasion you'll have to make it. While Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift might steal the game-day spotlight, this mac and cheese could easily be the MVP of your Super Bowl party.

Related: Patti LaBelle’s Easy Mac and Cheese Is Practically Perfect

Tips for Making Andy Reid’s Famous Mac and Cheese

1. Cook your pasta just to al dente. It will bake further in the oven, so you want it slightly firm to avoid mushy noodles.

2. Take it easy. Add the cheese in small portions to the roux and keep the heat low to prevent breaking the sauce.

3. Use room-temperature ingredients. Using room-temperature milk and cheese will help the sauce cook up smooth and silky.

Related: Blake Lively's Famous Mac and Cheese Recipe Starts with a Box

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