Pioneer Woman Mac and Cheese Casserole: A Delicious Twist on a Classic Recipe

If you're looking for a mac and cheese recipe that will impress your family and friends, look no further than Ree Drummond's Pioneer Woman Mac and Cheese Casserole. This creamy, cheesy dish is a twist on the classic comfort food, with added flavors from butternut squash and French onion dip.

I was excited to try this recipe out for dinner and see how it would turn out. With 12 servings claimed by the recipe, I was expecting a hearty dish that would satisfy my appetite. And satisfy it did! The first thing I noticed when I took the casserole out of the oven was the beautiful golden-brown crust on top. It added a nice crunch to each bite and complemented the creamy sauce perfectly.

The flavor of the dish was rich and comforting, with the butternut squash adding a sweet and slightly nutty taste. The French onion dip gave the dish a savory flavor that tied everything together. I thought the onions were cooked to perfection, with a deep golden brown color and a soft, caramelized texture.

One thing I did notice was that the recipe claimed it would serve 12 people, but after serving myself and my family, I think it might actually serve more like six or eight people. But even so, the price per serving is very reasonable at less than $4 if you have to buy all of the ingredients from scratch.

Overall, I would definitely make this recipe again - and it might even earn a spot on my Thanksgiving menu. The texture of the dish was also a highlight, thanks to the thick, cheesy sauce and the layer of toasted breadcrumbs that added the perfect amount of crunch.

Recipe Details:

Ingredients:

* 10 ounces dried egg noodles

* 1 pound lean ground beef

* 2 cans (10.75 ounces each) condensed cream of mushroom soup

* 1 (15 ounce) jar Lays French Onion Dip

* Other pantry staple ingredients, such as butter, milk, and flour

Instructions:

1. Cook the ground beef with onion and garlic in a large skillet over medium heat, then pour off the drippings.

2. Add the mushrooms, thyme, and garlic to the pan and cook until the mushrooms are tender.

3. Add the onion, 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt, and pepper to the pan and cook until the onion is very soft and golden brown, stirring occasionally.

4. In a separate pan, heat the olive oil and butter over medium-low heat.

5. Add the butternut squash and cook until it's tender, about 10-15 minutes.

6. In a large baking dish, combine the cooked pasta, ground beef mixture, and butternut squash.

7. Top with remaining cheese and breadcrumbs.

The Pioneer Woman Mac and Cheese Casserole is a delicious twist on the classic comfort food. With its creamy sauce, crunchy breadcrumb topping, and savory flavors from the French onion dip, it's sure to become a new favorite recipe in your household. And at under $4 per serving, it's an affordable option for a crowd-pleasing dinner.

Pioneer woman mac and cheese casserole