Pioneer Woman Mac and Cheese: The Ultimate Comfort Recipe

Ree Drummond, most folks call her the Pioneer Woman, she's been blowin up lately cause her cozy stories and yummy recipes feel straight from the farm. She's real down to earth and easy to talk to, where country charm meets some new school cookin. Ree's cooking is all about familly, comfor, and old fashion homecooked meals, thats prolly why her recipes are in loads of kitchens. And man, her mac and cheese is somethin else—that dish just hugs you from the inside.

Mac and cheese aint just a basic dinner, it's like a plate sized hug. The smooth cheese, the creamy bits, and that warm feelin you get makes it a famillies go to or a party fav. Sure, you can grab a boxed kind, but it just dont compare to the real deal made from scratch. Ree's version turns the classic up a notch, using top notch stuffs and little tricks, so it stands out and ppl never forget it. When Ree cooks it, it aint only food, it's this moment to bring everyone to the table and just chill.

The Origins of Pioneer Woman Mac and Cheese

Ree's cookin journey began on her family's ranch in Oklahoma, where she went from be a city girl to teach herself how to cook all kinds of stuff. She got hooked on comfort foods cuz of them Sunday meals she had when she was a kid. Her friendly atitude makes even the toughest recipes look easy peasy. That realness is why so many folks are fans, and she loves sharing stories that really hit home.

Mac and cheese is huge in American food for reals and it always brings back memories of cozy dinners when we were small. It's been around for ages, changin a bit here and there but never losin its spot as a top pick. Ree's twist on it stands out cause she throws in her own style, packing it full of taste and making it super creamy so it sticks in your mind.

People dig Ree's mac and cheese cause its simple but tastes like a dream. Fans say it catchs the heart of comfort food—perfect for get togethers, movie nights, or just when you need something warm and filling. It's more than some dinner, it's a way to feel close to yours and remeber how good homemade meals can be.

Ingredients for Pioneer Woman Mac and Cheese

To whip up Ree Drummond’s mac and cheese, you only need a handful of stuffs that make it crazy creamy and tasty. The key cheeses are sharp cheddar and cream cheese. Those cheeses give it big flavor and that famous gooey texture everyones after. Add some milk and cream, and every bite gets velvety smooth.

Next, butter and flour are a must to thicken the cheese sauce. Butter bring flavour and flour turns into a roux so the sauce sticks to the pasta like it was meant to. This coats each noodle in riches, makin it even better to eat.

If you wanna get creative, Ree say you can toss in crispy bacon, cooked veggies, or spices to kick it up a notch. There are also gluten free options so even ppl with allergies can join in. Go ahead and put your own spin on it.

Ingredients for Pioneer Woman Mac and Cheese

To make Ree's irresistable mac and cheese, grab these basic ingrediants for a smooth, melty meal. First, get sharp cheddar and cream cheese. The cheddar brings that bold punch and the cream cheese keeps it all creamy. Then, pour in some milk and cream for extra lush ness and smoothness.

Don't forget butter and flour to thicken everything up. Butter gives more tast, and the flour forms a roux so the cheese clings good on the pasta. If youre feelin bold, throw in things like bacon, veggies, or a pinch of spices. And yup, gluten free swaps work too so no one gets left out.

Step-by-Step Recipe for Pioneer Woman Mac and Cheese

Ingredients

• 1 pound macaroni
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 4 cups milk
• 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 block cream cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Note: It takes about 15 minutes to prep and around 30 minutes to cook. It’s a simple way to make a tasty meal for your family or friends.

Directions

1. Boil the pasta: Fill a big pot with salt water and bring it to boil, then cook the macaroni until it's al dente, not over cooked. Drain it and set aside.
2. Make the cheese sauce: Melt the butter in a medium pan on med heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour and cook bout a min. Slowly pour in the milk while whisking so no lumps form. Keep whiskin until it thickens. Take it off the heat and stir in the cheddar and cream cheese till it's all melted. Season with salt n pepper.
3. Mix pasta and sauce: Put the drained noodles in a big bowl and pour sauce over it. Stir it so all the macaroni is coated good.
4. Bake it: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a bake dish and pour the pasta mix in. Bake it for around 20 mins till it's bubbly and top gets golden brown.
5. Serve: Let it cool few mins before servin. Top with extra cheese or herbs if you like. Then dive in and enjoy that yummy, cozy dish!

pioneer woman mac and cheese

This creamy and cheesy mac and cheese recipe embodies comfort food at its best. The combination of rich cheeses and tender pasta makes it a crowd-pleaser that's perfect as a side dish or main course. It’s simple enough for a weeknight meal but delicious enough for special occasions.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 4 People

Calories 600 kcal

Equipment

• 1 large pot
• 1 colander
• 1 3-quart saucepan
• 1 whisk
• 1 wooden spoon
• 1 baking dish (3-quart size)

Ingredients

  

• 8 ounces elbow macaroni
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cups milk
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional
• 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup crushed Ritz crackers for topping

Instructions

 

• Cook the macaroni in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente, according to package instructions. Once cooked, drain and set aside.
• In a 3-quart saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour and cook for about 1 minute until it forms a paste.
• Gradually pour in the milk while whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Cook for 5-7 minutes until the mixture thickens.
• Stir in the salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper (if using). Remove from heat, then add the cheddar and mozzarella cheese, stirring until melted and smooth.
• Add the drained macaroni to the cheese sauce and mix until the pasta is evenly coated.
• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Transfer the mac and cheese to a baking dish and sprinkle crushed Ritz crackers on top.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until the top is golden and crispy.
• Let the mac and cheese cool slightly before serving to allow the sauce to thicken.

Notes

For a different flavor, try adding cooked bacon or sautéed onions to the cheese sauce.

You can also mix in vegetables like spinach or broccoli for a healthier twist.

This mac and cheese can be made ahead of time; just assemble it without baking, cover, and refrigerate. Bake it when you're ready to serve, adding an extra 10-15 minutes to the cooking time if baking from cold.