This delicious Pioneer Woman 4-Cheese Mac and Cheese is a creamy, comforting dish that’s quick and easy to make. With just a few simple ingredients like macaroni, heavy cream, and a blend of flavorful cheeses, it’s the perfect meal for any occasion. Serve it hot for a cheesy treat everyone will love!
Ingredients Needed
- 1 pound macaroni
- Salt (for cooking water)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 clove garlic, peeled
- 1/2 cup grated fontina cheese
- 1/2 cup crumbled goat cheese (chevre)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Romano cheese
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Minced fresh parsley (for garnish)
How To Make 4-Cheese Mac and Cheese Recipe
- Cook the macaroni: In a large pot of salted water, cook the macaroni according to the package directions, aiming for al dente. Be careful not to overcook. Drain and set aside, reserving some pasta water.
- Prepare the cheese sauce: In a Dutch oven, combine the heavy cream, butter, and garlic clove. Heat over low heat until the cream is warm. Remove the garlic, then add the fontina, goat cheese, Parmesan, and Romano to the pot. Stir until the cheeses melt and the sauce becomes creamy.
- Combine the macaroni and sauce: Add the drained macaroni to the pot with the cheese sauce. Gently stir to combine, adding some reserved pasta water if the sauce needs thinning.
- Season: Taste and season with about 1/2 teaspoon salt, freshly ground black pepper, and minced parsley. Stir to combine.
- Serve: Serve immediately while it’s creamy and hot. Enjoy!
Recipe Tips
- Cook macaroni al dente: Avoid overcooking the macaroni. Al dente pasta holds up better when mixed with the cheese sauce and won’t get mushy.
- Reserve pasta water: Always save a bit of the pasta water before draining. It helps adjust the sauce’s consistency if it becomes too thick.
- Use room temperature ingredients: Let the butter and cheese come to room temperature before mixing them in. This helps the sauce come together smoothly.
- Stir gently: When combining the macaroni with the cheese sauce, stir gently. This prevents the cheese from clumping and ensures a creamy texture.
- Taste and adjust seasoning: Taste the sauce before serving and adjust salt, pepper, or even a pinch of garlic powder if you feel it needs more flavor.
How To Store & Reheat Leftovers
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers 4-Cheese Mac and Cheese in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freeze: Freeze leftovers 4-Cheese Mac and Cheese in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating on the stove or in the microwave.
- Reheating: Reheat leftovers 4-Cheese Mac and Cheeseon the stove over low heat, for 8 minutes adding a splash of milk or pasta water to restore creaminess, or microwave for 5 minutes, stirring in between.
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 1 cup (about 1/8 of the recipe)
- Calories: 508
- Total Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
- Sodium: 603mg
- Potassium: 388mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 51g
- Dietary Fiber: 2g
- Sugars: 6g
- Protein: 26g
More Pioneer Woman Recipes:
Pioneer Woman 4-Cheese Mac and Cheese Recipe
Description
This delicious Pioneer Woman 4-Cheese Mac and Cheese is a creamy, comforting dish that’s quick and easy to make. With just a few simple ingredients like macaroni, heavy cream, and a blend of flavorful cheeses, it’s the perfect meal for any occasion. Serve it hot for a cheesy treat everyone will love!
Ingredients
Instructions
- Cook the macaroni: In a large pot of salted water, cook the macaroni according to the package directions, aiming for al dente. Be careful not to overcook. Drain and set aside, reserving some pasta water.
- Prepare the cheese sauce: In a Dutch oven, combine the heavy cream, butter, and garlic clove. Heat over low heat until the cream is warm. Remove the garlic, then add the fontina, goat cheese, Parmesan, and Romano to the pot. Stir until the cheeses melt and the sauce becomes creamy.
- Combine the macaroni and sauce: Add the drained macaroni to the pot with the cheese sauce. Gently stir to combine, adding some reserved pasta water if the sauce needs thinning.
- Season: Taste and season with about 1/2 teaspoon salt, freshly ground black pepper, and minced parsley. Stir to combine.
- Serve: Serve immediately while it’s creamy and hot. Enjoy!
Notes
- Cook macaroni al dente: Avoid overcooking the macaroni. Al dente pasta holds up better when mixed with the cheese sauce and won’t get mushy.
- Reserve pasta water: Always save a bit of the pasta water before draining. It helps adjust the sauce’s consistency if it becomes too thick.
- Use room temperature ingredients: Let the butter and cheese come to room temperature before mixing them in. This helps the sauce come together smoothly.
- Stir gently: When combining the macaroni with the cheese sauce, stir gently. This prevents the cheese from clumping and ensures a creamy texture.
- Taste and adjust seasoning: Taste the sauce before serving and adjust salt, pepper, or even a pinch of garlic powder if you feel it needs more flavor.
Pioneer Woman 4-Cheese Mac and Cheese Recipe