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Creamy Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese

creamy smoked gouda mac and cheese - featured image
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A creamy, smoky mac and cheese recipe featuring smoked gouda and sharp cheddar, perfect for cookouts and comfort food lovers.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces elbow macaroni
  • 8 ounces smoked gouda cheese, shredded
  • 4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 1/2 cups whole milk
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon yellow mustard powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or melted butter (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces of elbow macaroni and cook until al dente, about 7-8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  2. In a medium saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Whisk in 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour and stir continuously for 2 minutes until the mixture bubbles and turns slightly golden.
  3. Slowly pour in 2 1/2 cups whole milk and 1/2 cup heavy cream while whisking constantly. Continue cooking and whisking until the sauce thickens, about 5-7 minutes.
  4. Stir in 1 teaspoon yellow mustard powder, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, and salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
  5. Lower the heat to medium-low and gradually add 8 ounces shredded smoked gouda and 4 ounces shredded sharp cheddar, stirring until melted and smooth.
  6. Add the drained macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir to coat every noodle evenly.
  7. Optional baking step: Preheat oven to 350°F. Transfer mac and cheese to a greased 9×9-inch baking dish. Toss 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs with 1 tablespoon olive oil or melted butter and sprinkle over the top. Bake for 15-20 minutes until bubbly and golden.

Notes

Do not overcook pasta to avoid mushiness. Cook the roux until slightly golden to remove raw flour taste. Add milk and cream slowly while whisking to prevent lumps. Melt cheese over medium-low heat to avoid graininess. Toast panko breadcrumbs in a skillet with butter for better crunch if baking. For gluten-free, substitute flour and pasta accordingly. Adjust sauce thickness by adding milk if too thick or cooking longer if too thin.

Nutrition

Keywords: mac and cheese, smoked gouda, creamy mac and cheese, cookout side, comfort food, cheesy pasta

Find it online: https://tessierecipes.com/creamy-smoked-gouda-mac-and-cheese-recipe-easy-perfect-cookout-side/