Easy Boursin Mac and Cheese Recipe

Introduction

Easy Boursin Mac and Cheese is a creamy, comforting twist on a classic favorite. With rich Boursin cheese and a crispy breadcrumb topping, this dish comes together quickly and is perfect for a satisfying weeknight meal.

A close-up of a white oval baking dish filled with creamy macaroni and cheese made with spiral rotini pasta. The pasta is coated in a smooth, pale yellow cheese sauce, forming the first layer. On top, there is a thick covering of golden brown toasted breadcrumbs, sprinkled evenly with small green herb pieces. Some breadcrumb clusters are darker and crispier, providing a textured contrast. The dish sits on a white marbled surface with a light beige cloth partially visible to the left. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 8 oz short pasta (such as macaroni, shells, or similar)
  • 1 round Boursin cheese
  • 1 cup grated white cheddar cheese, packed
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter, divided
  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup plain breadcrumbs

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook according to the package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside, reserving a little pasta water in case you want to loosen the sauce later.
  2. Step 2: In the empty pasta pot or a separate saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Whisk in the all-purpose flour and cook, stirring constantly, for about 1 minute until bubbly and smooth with no clumps. Gradually pour in the heavy cream, whisking to combine and prevent lumps.
  3. Step 3: Add the entire Boursin cheese round and grated white cheddar. Stir gently until the cheeses are melted and the sauce is creamy. If the sauce is too thick, gradually add the milk until you reach a smooth, velvety consistency. Taste and adjust salt as needed.
  4. Step 4: Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and stir well to coat evenly. For a looser sauce, add a splash of reserved pasta water or more milk. Let sit for a couple of minutes to thicken slightly, folding gently to avoid breaking the pasta.
  5. Step 5: In a small skillet, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the plain breadcrumbs and cook, stirring frequently, until golden brown and fragrant, about 2–3 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
  6. Step 6: Transfer the sauced pasta to serving bowls or a large dish. Sprinkle the toasted breadcrumbs generously on top. Serve hot and enjoy your creamy, comforting mac and cheese! Optionally, garnish with chopped fresh parsley for color and freshness.

Tips & Variations

  • Use pasta shells or elbow macaroni for perfect bites that hold the sauce well.
  • Toast the breadcrumbs in butter for extra flavor and crunch.
  • For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or smoked paprika to the cheese sauce.
  • If you don’t have Boursin, cream cheese with herbs can be a good substitute.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop, adding a splash of milk or cream to loosen the sauce if needed.

How to Serve

An oval white ceramic dish filled with creamy macaroni and cheese made with spiral pasta, covered with a thick layer of golden brown toasted breadcrumbs sprinkled with small green herb bits. The pasta beneath is a pale yellow color, fully coated in melted cheese sauce, visible around the edges where it meets the crispy breadcrumb topping. There are small areas where the breadcrumbs are darker, showing slight charring for texture contrast. The dish is placed on a white marbled surface with some breadcrumbs spilled on the marble nearby, and a beige cloth napkin partially under the dish on the left side. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of pasta?

Yes, short pasta shapes like shells, elbow macaroni, or small penne work best to hold the creamy sauce.

Is it necessary to toast the breadcrumbs?

Toasting the breadcrumbs in butter adds crunch and flavor, but you can skip this step if you prefer a softer topping.

Print
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Easy Boursin Mac and Cheese Recipe


  • Author: Sarah
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Description

This Easy Boursin Mac and Cheese recipe combines creamy Boursin and white cheddar cheeses for a rich and comforting pasta dish. With a velvety cheese sauce and a crunchy toasted breadcrumb topping, it’s a quick and delicious twist on classic mac and cheese that’s perfect for a weeknight meal or cozy comfort food craving.


Ingredients

Scale

For the pasta and cheese sauce:

  • 8 oz short pasta (such as macaroni, shells, or similar)
  • 1 round Boursin cheese
  • 1 cup grated white cheddar cheese, packed
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour

For the topping:

  • 1 cup plain breadcrumbs
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter

Instructions

  1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook according to the package directions until al dente. Once the pasta is cooked, drain it well and set it aside. Save a little pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed later.
  2. Make the Cheese Sauce: In the empty pasta pot or a separate saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Whisk in the all-purpose flour and cook, stirring constantly, for about 1 minute until the mixture is bubbly and smooth without lumps. Gradually pour in the heavy cream, whisking continuously to prevent lumps. Add the entire Boursin cheese round and grated white cheddar. Stir gently until cheeses melt and sauce turns creamy. If too thick, add milk gradually to reach a smooth, velvety consistency. Taste and adjust salt as needed.
  3. Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked, drained pasta to the cheese sauce. Stir carefully ensuring every piece of pasta is coated in the creamy sauce. If the mixture is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water or more milk. Let it sit a minute or two to thicken slightly. Gently fold the pasta to avoid breaking.
  4. Toast the Breadcrumbs: In a small skillet, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the plain breadcrumbs and cook while stirring frequently until golden brown and fragrant, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly. This butter-toasted breadcrumb topping adds rich flavor and crunch.
  5. Finish and Serve: Transfer the mac and cheese to serving bowls or a large dish. Sprinkle the toasted breadcrumbs generously over the top. Serve hot. Optionally, garnish with freshly chopped parsley to add color and freshness.

Notes

  • Reserve a bit of pasta water before draining to adjust sauce consistency if needed.
  • Adjust salt after cheese is melted as Boursin and cheddar already provide saltiness.
  • Gently folding pasta with sauce prevents breaking the pasta shells or macaroni.
  • Butter-toasted breadcrumbs add a delicious crunchy texture complementing the creamy pasta.
  • Optional fresh herbs like parsley add a fresh burst of flavor and color to the dish.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Comfort Food, Pasta, Quick & Easy
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: Boursin Mac and Cheese, creamy mac and cheese, easy mac and cheese, comfort food, quick pasta recipe, cheesy pasta

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