Description
A quick and indulgent mac and cheese made with Boursin garlic and herb cheese spread, milk, and simple pantry staples. This creamy dish is ready in 30 minutes and offers gourmet flavor at a fraction of the cost of takeout.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz elbow macaroni
- 5.2 oz Boursin Garlic and Fine Herbs Cheese Spread
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
- 1 tsp paprika (for garnish)
- Salt (optional, to taste)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add elbow macaroni and cook until al dente (7-9 minutes). Reserve 1/2 cup of starchy pasta water before draining.
- While pasta cooks, scoop Boursin cheese into a bowl and let it sit at room temperature for 5 minutes to soften. Break it up slightly with a fork.
- In a large skillet or saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add Dijon mustard and garlic powder, whisking for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in whole milk and heavy cream. Whisk constantly to combine with the butter mixture. Heat gently until it starts to simmer, avoiding a vigorous boil.
- Reduce heat to low. Add Boursin cheese in chunks and whisk continuously until completely melted and smooth (2-3 minutes).
- Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss gently to coat every noodle. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water.
- Season with black pepper and salt if needed. Sprinkle paprika on top for garnish. Serve immediately.
Notes
Do not rinse the pasta; the starchy water helps thicken the sauce. If the sauce separates, add a splash of cold milk and whisk vigorously. Do not freeze this recipe as the dairy sauce will become grainy. For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free pasta and verify the Boursin label.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of the recipe
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 800
- Fat: 35
- Saturated Fat: 20
- Carbohydrates: 55
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 22
Keywords: Boursin mac and cheese, creamy mac and cheese, easy dinner, 30 minute meals, budget friendly recipes, comfort food, garlic herb pasta