The Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond, is beloved for her hearty, home-style cooking, and her macaroni and cheese recipe is a standout example of her comforting, crowd-pleasing fare. Known for its incredibly creamy texture and rich, cheesy flavor, this Macaroni And Cheese Recipe Pioneer Woman style is a guaranteed hit with everyone from picky eaters to serious food lovers. If you’re searching for the ultimate macaroni and cheese recipe Pioneer Woman has perfected, look no further. This dish is destined to become a family favorite, perfect for weeknight dinners or special gatherings. And the best part? You can have this cheesy masterpiece on your table in under an hour, making it a lifesaver on busy evenings.
Macaroni and cheese has evolved far beyond a simple kid’s meal. Today, there are countless variations to explore, from gourmet baked versions to quick stovetop recipes. But the Pioneer Woman macaroni and cheese recipe holds a special place for its classic, unpretentious deliciousness. Whether you prefer it straight from the pot, gloriously creamy, or baked to golden-brown perfection, this recipe delivers cheesy comfort in every bite.
If you’re a mac and cheese enthusiast, be sure to also check out some exciting variations like smoked gouda mac and cheese, a fun Chick Fil A mac and cheese copycat, zesty green chile mac and cheese, or incredibly easy crockpot mac and cheese. But first, let’s dive into what makes the Pioneer Woman macaroni and cheese recipe so incredibly special.
Why This Pioneer Woman Mac and Cheese Recipe is a Must-Try
Let’s face it, the internet is overflowing with mac and cheese recipes. So, what elevates the Pioneer Woman macaroni and cheese recipe above the rest? It’s the perfect combination of creamy, cheesy goodness and a satisfyingly rich texture, often finished with a golden-brown, bubbly top. This isn’t just mac and cheese; it’s an experience.
What I truly adore about this recipe is its wholesome, down-to-earth appeal. It’s a dish that resonates across generations, loved by children and adults alike. Here’s what makes it so irresistible:
- Quick and Convenient: Ready in under an hour, perfect for weeknight meals.
- Wholesome and Satisfying: Made with simple, real ingredients for genuine comfort food.
- Ultimate Creaminess and Cheesiness: A melt-in-your-mouth texture with intense cheese flavor.
- Versatile Serving Options: Enjoy it as a hearty main course or a delicious side dish.
- Adaptable to Your Preferences: Easily customizable with different cheeses and toppings.
- Hearty and Filling: A truly satisfying meal that will leave you feeling content.
Golden brown Pioneer Woman macaroni and cheese in a white casserole dish, showcasing its baked cheesy topping.
Unlocking the Creamy Secrets of Pioneer Woman Mac and Cheese
This Pioneer Woman macaroni and cheese recipe offers delightful serving flexibility. You can enjoy it immediately after combining the pasta and cheese sauce for an incredibly creamy, intensely rich experience. This stovetop version is perfect for those craving immediate cheesy gratification.
Alternatively, for a more classic baked mac and cheese, you can transfer the mixture to a baking dish, top it with extra cheese, and bake it in the oven until it achieves a beautiful golden-brown, bubbly crust. Baking intensifies the cheesy flavor and adds a delightful textural contrast between the crispy top and the creamy interior. Personally, I find myself enjoying this macaroni and cheese recipe Pioneer Woman style both ways!
Sometimes, I can’t resist sneaking a taste straight from the pot while preparing it for baking – purely for quality control, of course! It’s the best way to appreciate the creamy stovetop version before indulging in the baked delight.
This is a substantial recipe, generously serving 6-8 people, making it ideal for family dinners or potlucks. Forget those small boxed mac and cheese portions; this is a real-deal, savory, creamy mac and cheese that can confidently take center stage as the main course.
Bonus Tip: This incredible cheese sauce isn’t limited to pasta! Try drizzling it over steamed broccoli or cauliflower to encourage even the pickiest eaters to enjoy their vegetables.
Pioneer Woman Mac and Cheese: Key Ingredients for Success
Let’s break down the essential ingredients that make this Pioneer Woman macaroni and cheese recipe so exceptional:
- Whole Milk: The secret to the unparalleled creaminess of this mac and cheese lies in using whole milk. With just over three percent fat, whole milk provides a richness and velvety texture that lower-fat milks simply can’t replicate. It creates a luxuriously smooth cheese sauce that coats the macaroni perfectly.
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese: The recipe calls for 16 ounces of grated sharp cheddar cheese, which provides a robust and tangy cheese flavor that is classic in mac and cheese. However, feel free to experiment with your favorite shredded cheeses. Colby or mozzarella are popular alternatives, offering milder and meltier qualities. A blend of cheeses can also create a more complex flavor profile.
- Elbow Macaroni: It’s crucial to cook your elbow macaroni to al dente perfection. This means cooking it until it’s just tender but still slightly firm to the bite. Overcooked pasta can become mushy in the cheese sauce, compromising the texture of the final dish. Generously salting your pasta water while cooking is also essential. This seasons the pasta from the inside out, enhancing its flavor even before you add the cheese sauce.
Scooping a generous serving of creamy Pioneer Woman macaroni and cheese, highlighting its rich and cheesy texture.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Pioneer Woman Mac and Cheese
Follow these simple steps to create your own batch of delectable Pioneer Woman macaroni and cheese:
- Cook the Pasta: Cook the elbow macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
- Prepare the Egg: In a small bowl, beat the egg and set aside.
- Make the Roux: In a large pot over medium-low heat, melt the butter. Sprinkle the flour evenly over the melted butter. Whisk constantly and cook for about 2 minutes, or until the mixture turns a light golden color. This is your roux, which will thicken the cheese sauce. Be careful not to burn it.
- Add Milk and Mustard: Remove the pot from the heat and gradually whisk in the milk, ensuring a smooth sauce. Add the dry mustard and whisk to combine.
- Thicken the Sauce: Return the pot to medium heat and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, stirring continuously, until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency, about 3-4 minutes.
- Temper the Egg: Remove ¼ cup of the hot cheese sauce and slowly whisk it into the beaten egg in the small bowl. This process, called tempering, prevents the egg from scrambling when added to the hot sauce. Whisk until smooth.
- Incorporate the Egg: Pour the tempered egg mixture back into the pot with the cheese sauce, whisking constantly to combine.
- Melt in the Cheese: Add the grated cheddar cheese to the sauce, a handful at a time, stirring continuously until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Season to Perfection: Season the cheese sauce with salt, seasoned salt, and black pepper. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
- Combine with Pasta: Add the drained, cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce. Stir until the pasta is evenly coated in the luscious cheese sauce.
- Bake (Optional): For baked mac and cheese, pour the mixture into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Top with additional grated cheddar cheese (optional, but highly recommended!). Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (177°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve immediately, either creamy stovetop style or baked. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
***Full recipe details are available in the recipe card below.
Storing and Make-Ahead Tips for Pioneer Woman Mac and Cheese
Proper storage ensures your Pioneer Woman macaroni and cheese recipe remains delicious for days. For optimal storage, transfer leftover mac and cheese to a covered container and refrigerate. Portioning it into single-serving containers makes for easy grab-and-go lunches or quick meals.
If you’re short on refrigerator space, you can also store the mac and cheese in a 1-gallon Ziploc bag, ensuring it’s well-sealed to prevent air exposure and maintain freshness.
- Refrigerator Storage: Properly stored macaroni and cheese recipe Pioneer Woman style will keep well in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.
- Freezing Instructions: Yes, you can freeze this mac and cheese! It freezes beautifully, either as a whole dish or in individual portions. For single servings, freeze for up to 1-2 months. A helpful tip: buttering your freezer-safe dish or container before adding the mac and cheese will make it easier to remove after freezing. Freezer bags or vacuum sealers also work perfectly.
- Make-Ahead Convenience: Preparing this macaroni and cheese recipe Pioneer Woman ahead of time for an easy dinner is simple. You can assemble the mac and cheese, place it in a baking dish, and refrigerate it until you’re ready to bake.
- Food Safety: For more detailed information on food safety guidelines, refer to reputable resources like Stilltasty.
Another time-saving tip is to cook the macaroni noodles in advance and store them in the refrigerator until you’re ready to prepare the cheese sauce.
A single serving of Pioneer Woman macaroni and cheese on a white plate, emphasizing its creamy and delicious appearance.
Recipe Variations to Personalize Your Mac and Cheese
One of the joys of the Pioneer Woman macaroni and cheese recipe is its versatility. It’s easy to adapt and customize to suit your taste preferences.
- Pasta Swaps: Feel free to experiment with different pasta shapes. Shells or spiral noodles are excellent alternatives to elbow macaroni, each offering a slightly different texture and cheese-holding capacity.
- Cheese Combinations: As mentioned earlier, don’t limit yourself to just cheddar. Explore different cheese blends! Consider adding Gruyere for nuttiness, Monterey Jack for extra meltiness, or a touch of Parmesan for sharpness.
- Herb and Spice Infusions: Elevate the flavor profile by incorporating various herbs and spices. Paprika, thyme, and cayenne pepper are all fantastic additions. A pinch of nutmeg can also add a subtle warmth and depth of flavor.
- Protein Boosts: For a heartier meal, add cooked and crumbled bacon, diced ham, or browned ground beef. For a kid-friendly twist, stir in sliced hotdogs.
Explore More Delicious Mac and Cheese Recipes
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Pioneer Woman Mac And Cheese Recipe
This Pioneer Woman macaroni and cheese recipe is a comforting classic, boasting a thick, creamy texture and an abundance of cheesy flavor that will delight everyone at your table, from the youngest to the oldest!
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 6-8 servings
Author: Kathleen
Ingredients
- 4 cups dried macaroni
- 1 large whole egg, beaten
- 4 tablespoons butter
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 ½ cups whole milk
- 2 heaping teaspoons dry mustard (more if desired)
- 16 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, grated
- ½ teaspoon salt (more to taste)
- ½ teaspoon seasoned salt (more to taste)
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
Optional Spices:
- Cayenne pepper
- Paprika
- Thyme
Optional Toppings:
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated (for baking)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- For Baked Mac and Cheese: Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C) and spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- Cook macaroni according to package directions in well-salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Beat egg in a small bowl and set aside.
- In a large pot, melt butter over medium-low heat. Sprinkle flour evenly over melted butter. Whisk constantly and cook for about 2 minutes until golden, being careful not to burn.
- Remove from heat, add milk and mustard, and whisk until smooth. Return to medium heat and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring constantly, until sauce thickens, about 3-4 minutes. Reduce heat to low.
- Remove ¼ cup of sauce and slowly whisk into beaten egg, whisking constantly to temper the egg. Whisk until smooth.
- Add egg mixture to the sauce, whisking constantly. Stir in grated cheddar cheese and stir until cheese is melted and sauce is smooth. Season with salt, pepper, and seasoned salt to taste, along with any optional seasonings.
- Add drained pasta and stir until evenly combined.
- For Creamy Stovetop Mac and Cheese: Serve immediately.
- For Baked Mac and Cheese: Pour into prepared baking dish and top with additional 2 cups of shredded sharp cheese (optional). Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until top is golden brown and casserole is bubbly. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve.
Fans Also Made:
Nutrition
Serving: 1/6 of the recipe | Calories: 965kcal | Carbohydrates: 80g | Protein: 45g | Fat: 50g | Saturated Fat: 31g | Cholesterol: 180mg | Sodium: 1219mg | Potassium: 472mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 1690IU | Vitamin C: 1.7mg | Calcium: 960mg | Iron: 2.5mg
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Source: Ree Drummond
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