Smoked Gouda Mac & Cheese

Well, this is just so yummy!

I like to make my Smoked Gouda Mac & Cheese as a side, but you could absolutely make it as an entree too.  Doesn’t that sound divine?  A cold January night and a big bowl of this!!

I actually brought this to Thanksgiving this last year.  My aunt texted out what everyone should bring and one of my things was “mac and cheese”.

It was devoured.

Everyone kept asking me why kind of cheese I used and the answer is always the same SMOKED GOUDA.  I have a love affair with that darn cheese 🙂 .  If you’ve missed my other recipes that use it, see them below:
SMOKED GOUDA BURGERS
SMOKED GOUDA CHICKEN ENCHILDAS
SAUSAGE & SMOKED GOUDA CUPS
SMOKED GOUDA & BACON PASTA SALAD

Your family will swoon when this comes out of the oven!

Enjoy!

Shopping List
8 pieces of bacon, chopped (I use turkey bacon)
Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)
1 red onion, chopped
3 cloves of garlic, chopped
salt and pepper
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup milk
1/2 cup chicken stock
1 cup of smoked Gouda cheese, shredded
1 cup of cheddar cheese, shredded
1 pound of pasta, cooked to al dente and water drained (I use whole wheat penne)
1 cup of breadcrumbs
1/4 cup butter, melted

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.

Spray (I use Pam) a 9×12 baking dish.  Set aside.

In a large pot over medium high heat, crisp up your bacon pieces in a big drizzle of EVOO.

Once they’re nice and crisp, remove them with a slotted spoon to a paper towel and reserve.

Add your chopped red onion and garlic into your hot pan with the bacon drippings.  Add in a big pinch of both salt and pepper.  Sauté a few minutes until the onions are tender.  Once they’re nice and tender, stir in your flour and stir for about a minute.  Then, whisk in your milk and chicken stock.  Bring everything up to a bubble and then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer.  Stir in your cheeses, cooked and ready to eat pasta, and bacon pieces.  Stir everything together until the pasta is coated in the cheese sauce.

Pour this mixture down into your prepared baking dish and then top with your breadcrumbs.  Finally, drizzle your butter down over the breadcrumbs.

Pop this in the oven and bake 18-20 minutes or until it’s nice and bubbly.

Remove and serve immediately.

Everything wonderful is in this.  Enjoy!