Best 5 The Pioneer Womans Top Rated Mac And Cheese Recipes

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If you're a fan of creamy, cheesy comfort food, then you'll love this top-rated mac and cheese recipe from the Pioneer Woman. With its simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, this dish is sure to become a family favorite. It's perfect for a weeknight meal or a special occasion. Plus, it's a great way to use up leftover pasta.

Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!

SUPER SPICY MAC AND CHEESE



Super Spicy Mac and Cheese image

Provided by Ree Drummond : Food Network

Time 30m

Yield 8 to 10 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 pound macaroni
2 tablespoons salted butter
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
2 jalapenos, seeded and finely diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 small onion, finely diced
2 cups whole milk, plus more if needed
8 ounces queso blanco-style processed cheese, cubed
1 cup grated Monterey Jack
1 cup grated pepper jack
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon seasoned salt
Hot sauce, as desired

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook the macaroni according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
  • Heat the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the crushed red pepper, jalapeno, garlic and onion and cook, stirring, until the veggies have softened, about 5 minutes. Add the milk and heat until starting to bubble around the edges. Add the processed cheese and stir until melted. Add the Monterey Jack and pepper jack cheeses, pepper, kosher salt, seasoned salt and hot sauce to taste. Stir until the cheese is melted. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Add a splash of milk if the sauce seems too thick. Fold in the cooked macaroni and serve.
  • Reheating instructions: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Put the mac and cheese in a baking dish, cover with foil and heat until warmed through, about 25 minutes.

MACARONI AND CHEESE



Macaroni and Cheese image

Try Ree Drummond's creamy Macaroni and Cheese recipe from Food Network.

Provided by Ree Drummond : Food Network

Time 55m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 16

4 cups dried macaroni
1 whole egg
1/2 stick (4 tablespoons) butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 1/2 cups whole milk
2 heaping teaspoons dry mustard (more if desired)
1 pound sharp Cheddar, grated (not pre-grated cheese), plus more for baking
Salt
Seasoned salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
Optional spices: cayenne pepper, paprika, thyme
1 pound thick-cut peppered bacon
3 yellow onions, halved and sliced
3 tablespoons butter
8 ounces gorgonzola
Cooked sliders and/or macaroni and cheese, for serving

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Cook the macaroni until still slightly firm. Drain and set aside.
  • In a small bowl, beat the egg. In a large pot, melt the butter and sprinkle in the flour. Whisk together over medium-low heat. Cook for a couple of minutes, whisking constantly. Don't let it burn. Pour in the milk, add the mustard and whisk until smooth. Cook until very thick, about 5 minutes. Reduce the heat to low.
  • Take 1/4 cup of the sauce and slowly pour it into the beaten egg, whisking constantly to avoid cooking the eggs. Whisk together until smooth. Pour the egg into the sauce, whisking constantly. Stir until smooth. Add in the cheese and stir to melt. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt and the pepper. Add any additional spices if desired. Taste the sauce and add more salt and seasoned salt as needed! DO NOT UNDERSALT.
  • Pour in the drained, cooked macaroni and stir to combine. Serve immediately (while it's still very creamy) or pour into a buttered baking dish, top with extra cheese and bake until bubbly and golden on top, 20 to 25 minutes.
  • Fry the bacon in a skillet over medium-high heat until slightly crisp, about 8 minutes. Remove from the pan and cut into bite-size pieces.
  • In a separate pan, cook the onions in the butter over a low heat until caramelized, 20 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Use a fork to crumble the gorgonzola.
  • Put the bacon, caramelized onions and crumbled gorgonzola into separate bowls. Serve as delicious toppings for both sliders and macaroni cheese.

THE PIONEER WOMAN'S TOP-RATED MAC AND CHEESE RECIPE - (4.4/5)



The Pioneer Woman's Top-Rated Mac and Cheese Recipe - (4.4/5) image

Provided by cwyorkiex3

Number Of Ingredients 18

TOPPINGS:
4 cups dried macaroni
1 whole egg
1/2 stick (4 tablespoons) butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 1/2 cups whole milk
2 heaping teaspoons dry mustard
1 pound sharp cheddar, grated (not pre-grated cheese), plus more for baking
Salt
Seasoned salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
cayenne pepper, optional, to taste
paprika, optional, to taste
thyme, optional, to taste
1 pound thick-cut peppered bacon
3 yellow onions, halved and sliced
3 tablespoons butter
8 ounces gorgonzola

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Cook the macaroni until still slightly firm. Drain and set aside. In a small bowl, beat the egg. In a large pot, melt the butter and sprinkle in the flour. Whisk together over medium-low heat. Cook for a couple of minutes, whisking constantly. Don't let it burn. Pour in the milk, add the mustard and whisk until smooth. Cook until very thick, about 5 minutes. Reduce the heat to low. Take 1/4 cup of the sauce and slowly pour it into the beaten egg, whisking constantly to avoid cooking the eggs. Whisk together until smooth. Pour the egg into the sauce, whisking constantly. Stir until smooth. Add in the cheese and stir to melt. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt and the pepper. Add any additional spices if desired. Taste the sauce and add more salt and seasoned salt as needed. Be careful not to under-salt. Pour in the drained, cooked macaroni and stir to combine. Serve immediately (while it's still very creamy) or pour into a buttered baking dish, top with extra cheese and bake until bubbly and golden on top, 20 to 25 minutes. TOPPINGS: Fry the bacon in a skillet over medium-high heat until slightly crisp, about 8 minutes. Remove from the pan and cut into bite-size pieces. In a separate pan, cook the onions in the butter over a low heat until caramelized, 20 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Use a fork to crumble the gorgonzola. Put the bacon, caramelized onions and crumbled gorgonzola into separate bowls. Serve as delicious toppings for macaroni cheese.

PIONEER WOMAN MACARONI & CHEESE



Pioneer Woman Macaroni & Cheese image

Made this just a few days ago and it is super Yummy! I don't think I'll make Mac and Cheese any other way. I really loved the hint of garlic. Although I'll probably cut back on the salt next time, my own fault. Otherwise make a batch and just dig in!

Provided by ChrissyVas

Categories     Cheese

Time 38m

Yield 6-8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 13

4 cups macaroni (uncooked)
1/4 cup butter (1/2 stick, 4 tablespoons)
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 1/2 cups whole milk
2 teaspoons dry mustard (more if desired)
1 egg (beaten)
1 lb cheese (grated)
1/2 teaspoon salt (more to taste)
1/2 teaspoon seasoning salt (more to taste)
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
cayenne pepper (optional, to taste)
paprika (optional, to taste.)
thyme (optional, to taste.)

Steps:

  • Cook macaroni until very firm. Macaroni should be too firm to eat right out of the pot. Drain.
  • In a small bowl, beat egg.
  • n a large pot, melt butter and sprinkle in flour. Whisk together over medium-low heat. Cook mixture for five minutes, whisking constantly. Don't let it burn.
  • Pour in milk, add mustard, and whisk until smooth. Cook for five minutes until very thick. Reduce heat to low.
  • Take 1/4 cup of the sauce and slowly pour it into beaten egg, whisking constantly to avoid cooking eggs. Whisk together till smooth.
  • Pour egg mixture into sauce, whisking constantly. Stir until smooth.
  • Add in cheese and stir to melt.
  • Add salts and pepper. Taste sauce and add more salt and seasoned salt as needed! DO NOT UNDERSALT. (Also becareful not to over salt.).
  • Pour in drained, cooked macaroni and stir to combine.
  • Serve immediately (very creamy) or pour into a buttered baking dish, top with extra cheese, and bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until bubbly and golden on top.
  • Either way YUM YUM YUM! (Try not to eat the whole pot!).

MACARONI AND CHEESE (PIONEER WOMAN)



Macaroni and Cheese (Pioneer Woman) image

I'm pretty sure this recipe is illegal in certain parts. Lick the pan delicious--you won't have any leftovers. Recipe courtesy of Pioneer Woman and The Pioneer Woman Cooks--Recipes From an Accidental Country Girl. I added some already cooked ham to the mixture. Feel free to mix it up with cayenne pepper, paprika, ground thyme, caramelized onions, roasted/chopped green chilies, cooked/crumbled bacon, diced/sauteed ham, diced/fresh tomatoes or whatever variation your heart desires.

Provided by AmyZoe

Categories     Cheese

Time 55m

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

4 cups macaroni (dry)
1 egg, beaten
1/4 cup butter (4 tablespoons)
1/4 cup flour
2 1/2 cups whole milk
2 teaspoons dry mustard (to taste, heating teaspoons)
1 lb cheddar cheese, grated
1/2 teaspoon salt (or more, to taste)
1/2 teaspoon seasoning salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Cook the macaroni until very firm. It should be too firm to eat right out of the pot. If you're in a hurry and don't want to bake the macaroni and cheese, cook it now until it's done. Drain.
  • Preheat oven to 350 and butter a large oval or rectangular baking dish.
  • In a large pot, melt the butter and sprinkle in the flour.
  • Whisk it together over medium-low heat and cook for 5 minutes, whisking constantly. Don't let it burn.
  • :Pour in the milk.
  • Add the mustard and whisk until smooth.
  • Cook for 5 minutes or until very thick, whisking constantly. Reduce the heat to low.
  • To temper the eggs, slowly pour 1/4 cup of the sauce into the beaten egg, whisking constantly to avoid cooking the egg. Whisk until smooth.
  • Pour the egg mixture into the sauce, whisking until smooth.
  • Add in all but 1/2 cup of the cheese and stir until melted.
  • Add the seasonings. Taste the sauce and add more salt and seasoned salt as needed. Do not undersalt or you'll regret it.
  • Pour in the cooked, drained macaroni and stir to continue.
  • Serve immediately or pour into the baking dish and top with the remaining cheese.
  • Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until bubbly and golden on top.
  • Serve.

Tips:

  • Use a good quality cheese: The type of cheese you use will make a big difference in the flavor of your mac and cheese. Use a sharp cheddar cheese for a classic flavor, or experiment with different types of cheese, such as Gruyère, Parmesan, or Gouda.
  • Cook the macaroni al dente: Al dente means "to the tooth" in Italian, and it refers to the pasta being cooked just until it is tender, but still has a slight bite to it. This will prevent the pasta from getting mushy when it is baked in the cheese sauce.
  • Make a roux: A roux is a mixture of butter and flour that is used to thicken the cheese sauce. A roux will help to prevent the cheese sauce from being too thin and runny.
  • Use milk or cream: Milk or cream will help to make the cheese sauce smooth and creamy. You can use whole milk, low-fat milk, or even heavy cream, depending on how rich you want the sauce to be.
  • Add some seasonings: Salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder are all common seasonings that can be added to mac and cheese. You can also add other seasonings, such as smoked paprika, chili powder, or cayenne pepper, to taste.
  • Top with breadcrumbs or grated Parmesan cheese: Before baking the mac and cheese, top it with breadcrumbs or grated Parmesan cheese. This will give the mac and cheese a golden brown crust.

Conclusion:

Mac and cheese is a classic comfort food that is loved by people of all ages. With so many different recipes to choose from, there is sure to be a mac and cheese recipe that everyone will enjoy. Whether you like your mac and cheese simple or cheesy, baked or stovetop, there is a recipe out there that is perfect for you. So next time you are looking for a quick and easy meal, give one of these mac and cheese recipes a try.

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