Dive into the creamy, cheesy goodness of the Pioneer Woman’s Mac & Cheese recipe! This isn’t just mac and cheese; it’s a family favorite, guaranteed to be the best you’ve ever tasted. Get ready to experience macaroni cheese perfection!
Let’s be honest, who can resist a bowl of perfectly cooked macaroni smothered in a rich, decadent cheese sauce? I certainly can’t! And if you’re on the hunt for the macaroni cheese recipe that will end all searches, you’ve just struck gold. This Pioneer Woman’s Mac & Cheese recipe is legendary in my kitchen, and for very good reason. I’ve made this recipe countless times, and each time it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. It’s so good, it’s worth every single step on the treadmill – trust me! This is simply the best macaroni and cheese you will ever make.
While I usually lean towards quick and easy 30-minute meals, this one clocks in a little longer, especially if you opt for baking it in the oven. But believe me, those extra few minutes are absolutely worth it for the incredible flavor and texture you get.
Over the years, I’ve experimented with countless macaroni and cheese recipes, searching for the holy grail of comfort food. Consider my quest complete, and your search over! Save yourself the time, effort, and wasted ingredients. Print out this recipe, stick it on your fridge, and prepare to be amazed. I promise you, you won’t find a better macaroni cheese recipe out there!
Need to bring a dish to a potluck that everyone will rave about? DONE.
Looking for a side dish that will make dinner unforgettable? DONE.
Kids demanding something cheesy and delicious? DONE.
Want to leave a comforting meal for someone to reheat later? DONE.
Just craving a massive dose of cheesy goodness? DONE.
And the best part? If, by some miracle, you have leftovers, they transform beautifully into Mac & Cheese Muffins – the perfect appetizer! Although, in my experience, leftovers are a rare occurrence with this recipe. You might just need to make a double batch!
Make-Ahead Magic: Preparing Your Mac & Cheese in Advance
Life gets busy, and sometimes you need to get ahead. The great news is that this Pioneer Woman macaroni cheese recipe is perfect for making ahead of time. You can prepare it completely and store it in the refrigerator for up to four days before baking or enjoying it cold (yes, it’s delicious cold too!).
If you’re taking it straight from the fridge to the oven, you’ll need to adjust the baking time to ensure it heats through properly. I recommend adding an extra 35–40 minutes to the baking time. This will guarantee that your macaroni cheese is bubbly, hot, and utterly irresistible.
Cheese Variations: Customize Your Macaroni Cheese
One of the beautiful things about macaroni and cheese is its versatility. Don’t be afraid to experiment and tailor this recipe to your family’s preferences! Playing around with different cheeses can take this dish to a whole new level. Create your own signature cheese blend! In my house, we are big fans of Monterey Jack mix or a good Mexican blend for an extra layer of flavor. Make this recipe more than once and try it with different cheese combinations – host a cheese taste test! It’s a tough job, but someone has to do it.
Choosing the Right Baking Dish for Your Macaroni Cheese
This is a fantastic question and one that doesn’t have a single “right” answer. For this Pioneer Woman mac and cheese recipe, I prefer using a 13×9 inch baking dish. Why? Because it provides a larger surface area for toppings! More surface area means more room for extra cheese and breadcrumbs (if you’re using them). However, any casserole dish that’s 3 quarts or larger will work perfectly fine.
Dietary Adaptations: Vegan & Gluten-Free Options
Macaroni and cheese is a comfort food that should be enjoyed by everyone, regardless of dietary restrictions!
For a delicious Vegan Homemade Baked Mac & Cheese option that’s just as creamy and satisfying, check out this recipe.
And for those needing a Gluten-Free Mac & Cheese, Ree Drummond’s recipe is easily adaptable. You only need a couple of simple substitutions. Just use gluten-free macaroni and a gluten-free flour blend for the roux. It’s that easy to make this classic dish accessible to everyone!
Pioneer Woman’s Mac & Cheese Recipe: Your Go-To Comfort Dish
It truly doesn’t get much better than this Pioneer Woman’s Mac & Cheese Recipe! It’s undeniably the best macaroni and cheese, and you absolutely have to try it at least once. Prepare to fall in love with every cheesy, comforting bite!
Print Recipe
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Ingredients
- 4 cups uncooked Macaroni (elbow macaroni recommended)
- 1 large Egg, beaten
- 1/4 cup unsalted Butter
- 1/4 cup All-purpose Flour (or gluten-free blend for GF option)
- 2-1/2 cups Whole Milk
- 2 teaspoons Dry Mustard, heaping
- 1 pound Cheddar Cheese, shredded (Monterey Jack mix or Mexican blend for variations)
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt, plus more to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon Seasoned Salt, plus more to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper
- Optional Spices: Cayenne Pepper, Paprika, Thyme (for added depth of flavor)
Instructions
- Cook the Macaroni: Cook macaroni in salted boiling water until very firm – it should be too firm to eat straight from the pot. Drain well.
- Prepare the Egg: In a small bowl, lightly beat the egg. Set aside.
- Make the Roux: In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt butter over medium-low heat. Sprinkle in flour and whisk continuously to combine. Cook the mixture for about 5 minutes, whisking constantly to prevent burning. This is your roux.
- Create the Cheese Sauce: Gradually pour in milk, add dry mustard, and whisk until smooth. Continue cooking for about 5 minutes, or until the sauce thickens significantly. Reduce heat to low.
- Temper the Egg: Take about 1/4 cup of the hot cheese sauce and slowly drizzle it into the beaten egg, whisking constantly to temper the egg and prevent it from scrambling. Whisk until smooth.
- Combine Egg and Sauce: Pour the egg mixture back into the pot with the cheese sauce, whisking constantly until fully incorporated and smooth.
- Melt the Cheese: Add the shredded cheddar cheese (and any cheese variations you’re using) to the sauce. Stir until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is creamy and smooth.
- Season to Perfection: Add salt, seasoned salt, and black pepper. Taste the sauce and adjust seasonings as needed – don’t be afraid to season generously! Undersalted mac and cheese is a sad thing.
- Combine Macaroni and Sauce: Pour the drained, cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce. Stir gently to coat all the macaroni evenly with the sauce.
- Serve or Bake: For ultra-creamy mac and cheese, serve immediately. For a baked version, pour the macaroni and cheese into a buttered baking dish, top with extra shredded cheese (and breadcrumbs if desired), and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 20–25 minutes, or until bubbly and golden brown on top.
Gluten-Free Adaptation
- To make this recipe gluten-free, simply use gluten-free macaroni and replace the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend in the roux.
Video
[Video Placeholder – Link to Pioneer Woman Mac & Cheese Recipe Video Here]
Recipe Notes
- Feel free to adjust the amount of dry mustard to your preference, or omit it altogether if you’re not a fan.
- For a hint of garlic flavor, try adding a pinch of garlic salt to the cheese sauce. Delicious!
- Experiment with different cheeses to find your favorite combination.
Servings: 8 servings
Author: Amanda @AFewShortCuts.com
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