Pioneer Woman Mac and Cheese is more than just a side dish; it’s a creamy, cheesy experience that brings joy to every meal. Known for its rich texture and comforting flavor, this macaroni and cheese recipe, inspired by the Pioneer Woman herself, Ree Drummond, has become a beloved classic for families everywhere. From the pickiest eaters to the most enthusiastic food lovers, this dish has a magical way of making everyone feel warm and satisfied.
This Pioneer Woman Mac and Cheese recipe is a go-to for dinner at my house because it’s simple, satisfying, and undeniably delicious. The best part? It’s ready to be served in under an hour, making it a perfect choice for those busy weeknights.
Macaroni and cheese has evolved far beyond a simple kid’s meal. There are countless variations to explore, catering to different tastes and cooking styles. Whether you prefer a baked mac and cheese with a golden crust or a quick stovetop version, the possibilities are endless. But when it comes to classic comfort, Pioneer Woman’s recipe truly stands out.
If you’re looking to branch out, you might also enjoy my smoked gouda mac and cheese, the incredibly popular copycat Chick Fil A mac and cheese, a spicy and flavorful green chile mac and cheese, or the convenience of a super creamy crockpot mac and cheese!
But first, let’s dive into what makes this Pioneer Woman Mac and Cheese recipe so special and why it deserves a spot in your regular meal rotation.
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. However, this Pioneer Woman version truly stands apart. It’s the perfect marriage of a luxuriously creamy cheese sauce and a beautifully browned, cheesy topping, creating a delightful contrast of textures and flavors in every bite.
What I adore most is its wholesome, down-to-earth appeal. It’s a dish that transcends generations, loved equally by children and adults alike!
- Quick and Convenient: Ready in less than an hour, ideal for weeknight dinners.
- Made with Simple, Wholesome Ingredients: No complicated steps or hard-to-find items.
- Incredibly Creamy and Cheesy: The ultimate comfort food experience in every spoonful.
- Versatile Dish: Perfect as a hearty main course or a crowd-pleasing side.
- Adaptable for Serving: Enjoy it straight from the pot for maximum creaminess or baked for a firmer texture.
- Hearty and Satisfying: A truly fulfilling meal that will leave you feeling content.
Pioneer Woman mac and cheese in a casserole dish
Tips for the Creamiest Mac and Cheese
One of the great things about this Pioneer Woman mac and cheese recipe is its versatility in serving. You have options! For an incredibly decadent and creamy mac and cheese experience, you can serve it immediately after combining the pasta and cheese sauce. This results in a melt-in-your-mouth, ultra-rich dish.
Alternatively, for a different texture and flavor dimension, you can transfer the mac and cheese to a baking dish, top it with extra cheese, and bake it in the oven. This baking process creates a wonderful golden-brown crust and a slightly firmer texture, which is equally delicious. Personally, I love enjoying it both ways!
Sometimes, I can’t resist sneaking a bowlful straight from the pot while I’m preparing it for baking. Consider it quality control – just ensuring it reaches peak creamy perfection! (wink).
This is a substantial recipe, comfortably serving 6-8 people as a main course or more as a side. It’s definitely not your average boxed mac and cheese. This is a deeply flavorful, creamy, and satisfying dish that can easily stand as the star of the dinner table.
Quick Tip: This incredible cheese sauce isn’t limited to just pasta! It’s also fantastic poured over steamed broccoli or cauliflower, a clever way to encourage everyone to eat their veggies.
Key Ingredients for Pioneer Woman Mac and Cheese
- Whole Milk: The secret to the unparalleled creaminess of this Pioneer Woman mac and cheese is using whole milk. With a little over three percent fat, whole milk provides a richness and velvety texture that you simply can’t achieve with lower-fat milk options. It’s essential for that signature creamy consistency.
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese: The recipe calls for a generous 16 ounces of grated sharp cheddar cheese, which provides a bold and classic cheesy flavor. However, feel free to experiment with your favorite shredded cheeses. Colby or mozzarella are popular alternatives that melt beautifully and offer a milder flavor profile.
- Elbow Macaroni: It’s crucial to cook your elbow macaroni to al dente. This means it should be slightly firm to the bite, not fully soft. Cooking it al dente ensures that the pasta doesn’t become mushy when combined with the cheese sauce and baked. Also, don’t underestimate the importance of generously salting your pasta water; this simple step adds flavor to the pasta itself before it even meets the cheese sauce.
Scooping Pioneer Woman mac and cheese
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Pioneer Woman Mac and Cheese
- Cook the Pasta: Cook the elbow macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
- Prepare the Egg: In a small bowl, beat the egg and set aside.
- Make the Roux: In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Sprinkle the flour evenly over the melted butter. Whisk continuously and cook for about 2 minutes, or until the mixture turns a light golden color. This creates a roux, the base of your cheese sauce. Be careful not to burn the roux.
- Add Milk and Mustard: Remove the pot from the heat and gradually whisk in the whole milk, ensuring a smooth sauce. Add the dry mustard and whisk until combined.
- 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 slightly, 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 Egg into Sauce: Pour the tempered egg mixture back into the pot with the remaining cheese sauce, whisking constantly to combine.
- Melt the Cheese: Add the grated cheddar cheese to the sauce, stirring until it is completely melted and the sauce is smooth and cheesy.
- Season: Season the cheese sauce with salt, seasoned salt, and black pepper. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
- Combine with Pasta: Add the drained macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir until the pasta is evenly coated in the sauce.
- Bake (Optional): For baked mac and cheese, pour the mixture into a prepared baking dish. Top with additional shredded cheese, if desired. Bake in a preheated oven until golden brown and bubbly.
***Find the full, printable recipe card with detailed instructions below.
Storing and Make-Ahead Tips for Mac and Cheese
Proper storage is key to keeping your Pioneer Woman mac and cheese delicious for days. Storing it in a covered container in the refrigerator is the best method. For individual servings, portioning it out into smaller containers makes for easy grab-and-go meals.
If you’re short on fridge space and don’t want to store the entire casserole dish, transfer the mac and cheese to a 1-gallon Ziploc bag, pressing out any excess air. As long as it’s protected from air, it will stay fresh and flavorful in the fridge.
- Refrigerator Storage: This mac and cheese will stay good in the refrigerator for 3-5 days when properly stored.
- Freezing Instructions: Yes, you can freeze Pioneer Woman mac and cheese! It freezes exceptionally well. You can freeze the whole dish or divide it into single-serving portions for convenient lunches or quick meals, lasting for 1-2 months in the freezer.
- Freezing Tip: To prevent sticking, lightly butter your baking dish or freezer-safe container before adding the mac and cheese. This makes it easier to remove after freezing. Freezer bags and vacuum sealers also work perfectly for portioning and freezing.
- Make-Ahead Options: Preparing this Pioneer Woman mac and cheese ahead of time for an easy dinner is straightforward. You can make it completely, place it in a baking dish, cover it tightly, and store it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to bake.
- Food Safety Reminder: For more detailed information on food safety guidelines, you can refer to resources like this link.
Alternatively, you can cook the macaroni noodles in advance and store them separately in the refrigerator until you’re ready to prepare the cheese sauce and assemble the dish.
Pioneer Woman mac and cheese on a plate
Recipe Variations to Try
One of the joys of cooking is customization! This Pioneer Woman mac and cheese recipe is easily adaptable to your preferences. Feel free to experiment with different pasta shapes like shells or spiral noodles. Using a blend of cheeses is another fantastic way to elevate the flavor profile, as mentioned earlier.
Incorporating various herbs and spices can also transform the taste of your mac and cheese. Paprika, thyme, and a pinch of cayenne pepper are all excellent choices to add depth and warmth. For a kid-friendly twist (and let’s be honest, adults love it too!), consider adding chopped hotdogs or crispy bacon bits. Bacon makes everything better, right?
More Delicious Mac and Cheese Recipes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Pioneer Woman Mac And Cheese Recipe
Pioneer Woman mac and cheese: a creamy, cheesy delight that brings smiles to faces of all ages!
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
- 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 pasta according to package directions in well-salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Beat egg in a small bowl and set aside.
- Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Sprinkle flour over melted butter and whisk constantly for about 2 minutes until golden. Do not burn.
- Remove from heat, add milk and mustard. Whisk until smooth. Return to medium heat and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring constantly, until sauce thickens (3-4 minutes). Reduce heat to low.
- Remove ¼ cup of sauce and slowly whisk into beaten egg to temper. Whisk until smooth.
- Add egg mixture to sauce, whisking constantly. Stir in cheese until melted. Add salt, pepper, seasoned salt, and optional seasonings. Taste and adjust.
- Add drained pasta and stir to combine.
- Serve immediately or pour into baking dish, top with extra cheese, and bake for 20-25 minutes until golden and bubbly. Sprinkle with parsley and serve.
Fans Also Made:
Nutrition
Serving: 1/6 of 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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