Description

This Easy Boursin Mac and Cheese is a creamy, comforting pasta dish featuring a rich cheese sauce made with Boursin and white cheddar, perfectly coated over tender short pasta. Finished with buttery toasted breadcrumbs for a delicious crunch, this quick and easy recipe is perfect for a cozy meal any day of the week.

Ingredients

Scale

For the pasta and cheese sauce:

8 oz short pasta (such as macaroni, shells, or similar)
1 round Boursin cheese (about 5.2 oz)
1 cup grated white cheddar cheese, packed
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup milk
1/2 tsp salt
2 tbsp unsalted butter (for sauce)
2 tbsp all-purpose flour

For the topping:

1 cup plain breadcrumbs
2 tbsp unsalted butter (for breadcrumbs)

Instructions

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 cooked, drain well, reserving a little pasta water, and set aside.
Make 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 for about 1 minute until bubbly and smooth. Gradually pour in the heavy cream while whisking to prevent lumps. Add the entire Boursin cheese round and grated white cheddar. Stir gently until melted and creamy. If the sauce is too thick, slowly add milk until you reach a velvety consistency. Season with salt to taste.
Combine Pasta with Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and stir well to coat each piece thoroughly. If needed, loosen the sauce with reserved pasta water or additional milk. Let it rest briefly so the sauce thickens slightly, folding gently to avoid breaking the pasta.
Prepare Breadcrumb Topping: 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 allow to cool slightly.
Serve: Transfer the cheesy pasta to serving bowls or a large dish. Generously sprinkle the toasted buttery breadcrumbs on top. Optionally garnish with fresh chopped parsley for color and freshness. Serve hot and enjoy your creamy, crunchy mac and cheese.

Notes

Reserve some pasta water to loosen the sauce if it thickens too much.
Use fresh breadcrumbs or panko for a lighter, crunchier topping.
Adding chopped parsley or chives enhances color and flavor.
Adjust salt to taste as Boursin cheese can be salty.
To make it lighter, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream and reduce butter.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Comfort Food
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Boursin mac and cheese, creamy pasta recipe, easy mac and cheese, cheesy pasta, breadcrumb topping, comfort food, quick dinner