Food Network star Ree Drummond, best known as The Pioneer Woman, has once again captured the hearts—and appetites—of her devoted followers. On September 8, 2025, Drummond took to Instagram to announce a brand new cookbook and an accompanying book tour, sparking a wave of excitement across her fanbase. The announcement, made with her signature warmth and humor, came alongside an ASMR-style video of her preparing a bubbling pan of macaroni and cheese. But this isn’t just any mac and cheese—Drummond promises a recipe so luscious, saucy, and downright irresistible, it might just change the way you think about this comfort food classic.
The new cookbook, titled Pioneer Woman Cooks: The Essential Recipes: 120 Greatest Hits, New Twists, and Perfected Classics, is scheduled for release on October 28, 2025. This marks Drummond’s ninth cookbook, and according to the official description, it’s a collection of her most beloved recipes, all re-examined and perfected for today’s home cooks. As TV Insider reports, Drummond wrote in her Instagram caption, “Ever pull a pan o’ mac and cheese out of the oven and discover that it’s all dried out, desperate, and disappointing? I tackle that dilemma in my new cookbook (it’ll be here October 28!) with luscious, saucy, and utterly crazyyyyyy results.” She couldn’t resist adding a touch of humor, quipping, “(Wait for that end shot…) And the calories don’t count if you eat it while standing up! Okay bye.”
Drummond’s announcement video wasn’t just for show—it offered a sneak peek into her new approach to mac and cheese, a dish that’s been a staple in her repertoire for years. According to SheKnows, Drummond’s latest version is specifically designed to solve the age-old problem of dry, gluey baked macaroni and cheese. “She devised a brand new mac and cheese recipe for her upcoming cookbook, The Essential Recipes, that’s so ‘luscious and saucy’ that it’s ‘utterly crazy’ and will result in creamy, super cheesy mac and cheese every single time you make it,” SheKnows explains.
So, what’s the secret? Drummond starts by warming up a pan of milk and pasta water, then stirs in a bit of butter once it’s off the heat. She tempers a couple of eggs with some of the warm milk mixture before adding them to the saucepan. The cheese blend is where things get interesting: a mix of aged cheeses like shredded cheddar and parmesan, plus slices of Velveeta for that ultra-creamy texture. “She seasons the cheese with salt, pepper, and paprika before pouring in her milk and egg mixture,” SheKnows details. The result is a cheese sauce that’s poured over the noodles, with a dash more pasta water to ensure everything stays loose and creamy. After baking, the mac and cheese emerges from the oven dripping with melted cheese and buttery, savory goodness—precisely the kind of comfort food Drummond’s fans have come to crave.
But the new cookbook promises more than just an upgrade to mac and cheese. According to the official synopsis, Pioneer Woman Cooks: The Essential Recipes is “a book of everybody’s tried-and-true Ree favorites, but re-examined, re-worked, and made even more perfect than the original, so that Ree’s millions of fans (and their families) can share in the delicious results!” The book features recipes for pancakes, meatloaf, pot roast, chicken pot pie, scalloped potatoes with ham, and classic pies and cookies. Each recipe is presented with step-by-step photos and Drummond’s signature style—making even the most intimidating dishes approachable for cooks of all skill levels.
Drummond’s commitment to making home cooking accessible shines through in more than just her recipes. The cookbook includes “useful tips and tricks for home cooks who are looking to streamline their meal-prep efforts and revolutionize the time they spend in the kitchen, including Ree’s failsafe tips for getting ahead,” as highlighted by TV Insider. It’s a nod to the busy schedules and real-life challenges her audience faces, and a reminder that even the most comforting classics can be made easier with the right guidance.
The buzz didn’t stop with the cookbook announcement. When a fan asked on Instagram if she would be doing a book tour, Drummond replied enthusiastically, “Yes! Just firming up plans now! Where are ya?” The promise of a book tour has only added to the anticipation, with fans flooding the comments section to share their excitement. “Can’t wait for your new book!!! 👏👏👏 and looks delicious! Our girls are going to love this!” one user exclaimed. Another wrote, “I cannot wait for my copy to arrive!” while others pleaded for Drummond to make a tour stop in their hometowns. It’s clear that Drummond’s connection with her audience is as strong as ever, fueled by her approachable personality and genuine love of food.
For those who can’t wait until October 28 to get their hands on the new recipes, Drummond’s five-cheese mac and cheese remains a fan favorite and a reliable stand-in. But the real draw is the promise of perfected classics—recipes that have been tested, tweaked, and transformed to deliver foolproof results every time. As SheKnows points out, the sauce-to-noodle ratio in Drummond’s new mac and cheese is “perfect because when the mac comes out of the oven, the spoonful Drummond serves up is dripping with melted cheese and buttery, savory, saucy goodness.”
Drummond’s influence extends far beyond the pages of her cookbooks or the frames of her television show. As a No. 1 New York Times bestselling author and a fixture on the Food Network, she’s helped define what it means to cook with heart, humor, and a dash of down-home flair. Her latest project, Pioneer Woman Cooks: The Essential Recipes, is poised to continue that legacy, offering fans new reasons to gather around the table and celebrate the joys of home cooking—one luscious, saucy bite at a time.
As the countdown to October 28 begins, fans can look forward not only to a fresh collection of recipes, but also the chance to see Drummond in person on her upcoming book tour. With perfected classics, new twists, and plenty of personality, Drummond’s latest cookbook is shaping up to be a must-have for anyone who loves good food and good company. And who knows? Maybe this time, the calories really won’t count—at least if you eat while standing up.
