In my little food corner of the world, National Mac and Cheese Day is like Christmas. Mac and Cheese is a true comfort food. Like Christmas, it conjures up feelings of warmth, coziness, and childhood memories like no other. It is the one time I'll throw diet and healthy eating caution to the wind! Just like Christmas - eat all the cookies you want; indulge in a few good party meals, and worry about the diet later. On National Mac and Cheese Day, I could do the same; albeit for a shorter period of time than Christmas. But really, the feeling is just the same now isn't it?

While I have always loved a traditional mac and cheese, there are a lot of fun ways to dress it up for my grown up foodie self. Like everything is open to decoration. Here are 7 of my favorite dressed up, grown up mac and cheese recipes.

Rueben Mac and Cheese - An old-fashioned Reuben sandwich is a comfort food in itself. When combining the flavors with mac and cheese, well, it might not get any better than this!

Slow Cooker Beer Mac and Cheese - This is about as good as any pub could serve!

Ultimate Veggie Mac and Cheese - Indulge your inner vegetarian!

Smoked Gouda and Swiss Mac and Cheese with Bacon and Jalapeños - For the serious grown up!

Cast Iron Havarti Gouda and Prosciutto Mac and Cheese - Add your favorite wine for the perfect grown up meal!

Grown up Mac and Cheese with Gruyere, Cheddar, and Blue Cheese - For the purist, a grown up mix of cheeses and optional bacon (for the slightly less purist).

Chesapeake Bay Mac and Cheese – For the seafood lover, add a little crabmeat per this delicious grown up version.

If you have a favorite mac and cheese recipe, please share it in the comments. And if you have another comfort food that feels like Christmas, I'd love to hear that too!