Boursin Mac and Cheese (Printable)

Creamy, herb-infused pasta with tangy Boursin and sharp cheddar cheese in a velvety white sauce. Ready in 35 minutes with optional crispy breadcrumb topping.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz elbow macaroni or short pasta of choice

→ Cheese Sauce

02 - 7 oz Boursin Garlic & Fine Herbs cheese
03 - 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
04 - 2 cups whole milk
05 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter
06 - 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
07 - 1/2 tsp salt
08 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
09 - 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

→ Topping

10 - 1/3 cup panko breadcrumbs
11 - 1 tbsp melted butter
12 - 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese

# Steps:

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F if baking with topping.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
03 - In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook, stirring, for 1 minute until bubbling but not browned.
04 - Gradually whisk in milk. Cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and coats the back of a spoon, about 3-4 minutes.
05 - Lower heat to medium-low. Add Boursin cheese, cheddar, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Stir until cheeses are melted and the sauce is smooth.
06 - Add cooked macaroni to the sauce. Stir until pasta is evenly coated.
07 - Pour mac and cheese into a greased baking dish. In a small bowl, mix panko, melted butter, and Parmesan. Sprinkle evenly over the top. Bake for 10-12 minutes until golden and bubbly.
08 - Serve hot, garnished with chopped fresh parsley if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The Boursin cheese transforms ordinary cheese sauce into something restaurant-worthy with minimal effort
  • This recipe comes together in about 35 minutes, making it perfect for weeknight comfort food
02 -
  • Do not let your roux brown or the sauce will have a bitter taste that masks the delicate Boursin flavor
  • Grating your own cheddar makes a huge difference because pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting
03 -
  • Reserve a cup of pasta water before draining to adjust sauce consistency if needed
  • Let the sauce rest for a minute off the heat before combining with pasta for optimal coating