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Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese
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Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese

Course dinner, Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Servings 8 people
Author Coco and Ash

Ingredients

  • 1 pound cavatappi pasta (or shape of your choice)
  • 6 tablespoons butter
  • ½ cup all purpose flour
  • 5 and ½ cups milk (whole or 2% is fine)
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 16 ounces smoked gouda cheese (not bagged or pre-shredded)
  • 8 ounces sharp white cheddar cheese (not bagged or pre-shredded)
  • 6 slices white bread (cut into small cubes)
  • 4 tablespoons melted butter

Instructions

Cooking the pasta

  • Set a pot of water to boil and add 1 tablespoon of salt.
  • Once boiling, add the pasta. Cook according to the directions on the package but subtract 2 minutes from the cooking time on the package. (It will finish cooking in the oven)
  • Drain the pasta once it has finished cooking.

Making the cheese sauce (while the pasta is cooking)

  • Pre-heat the oven to 375°
  • Heat a large pot over medium heat. (The pot needs to be large enough to hold the cheese sauce and all of the pasta.)
  • Melt 6 tablespoons of butter in the pot.
  • Add in the ½ cup of flour and whisk until combined. Cook for 2 minutes.
  • Warm the milk for about 45 seconds in the microwave or on a small pot on the stove. It should be just a little warmer than room temp. This will help prevent lumps when adding it to the flour.
  • Once warmed, slowly add the milk to the flour/butter mixture. I like to add about a cup at a time, whisking between each cup until fully combined.
  • Bring the sauce to a low and slow boil until it thickens. Be sure to keep whisking so the bottom doesn't burn. This should only take about 3-5 minutes.
    (If your sauce is not thickening, it's not warm enough. It needs to be bubbling in order to thicken)
  • Once the sauce has thickened, add in all of the shredded cheese and the seasonings. Whisk until it's fully melted into the sauce.
  • Add the drained pasta to the pot with the cheese mixture and stir to coat the noodles. (it will seem like too much sauce but it will absorb more as it bakes)
  • Spray a 9x13 dish with non-stick spray or coat with butter
  • Pour the pasta into the prepared dish.

Making the bread topping

  • Cut 6 slices of bread into small ½ inch cubes.
  • Melt 4 tablespoons of butter in a large bowl and toss the bread pieces to coat them.
  • Add the coated bread to the top of the pasta and bake the entire dish, uncovered, for 25-30 minutes or until the bread is toasty and golden colored.
  • Once finished cooking, allow to set for about 10 minutes before serving.