Description
A creamy, comforting mac and cheese made with Boursin garlic and fine herbs cheese, sharp cheddar, and a bright kick of lemon zest. This quick weeknight dinner comes together in under 15 minutes with simple ingredients.
Ingredients
Scale
- 16 oz elbow macaroni
- 5.2 oz Boursin Garlic and Fine Herbs Cheese
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, grated
- 1 tsp yellow mustard
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Reserved pasta water as needed
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add elbow macaroni and cook until al dente (8-10 minutes). Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- While pasta cooks, melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Add Boursin cheese and stir constantly until melted and smooth (2-3 minutes). Do not let it boil vigorously.
- Slowly pour in milk while whisking or stirring continuously. Add yellow mustard, lemon zest, and half of the chopped parsley. Stir to combine.
- Reduce heat to low. Gradually add grated cheddar cheese, stirring until melted and smooth. If sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water.
- Drain cooked pasta and add it directly to the saucepan. Toss gently to coat every noodle evenly. Add more pasta water if needed.
- Remove from heat. Stir in remaining fresh parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning with black pepper and a pinch of salt if needed. Serve immediately.
Notes
Use full-fat Boursin for best creaminess. Grate your own cheddar to avoid anti-caking agents that can make the sauce gritty. Keep heat low when melting cheese to prevent separation. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days; reheat gently with a splash of milk.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 800
- Fat: 35
- Saturated Fat: 20
- Carbohydrates: 55
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 25
Keywords: Boursin mac and cheese, quick dinner, comfort food, creamy pasta, weeknight meals, lemon zest pasta, easy cheese sauce