If you’re a mac and cheese lover, you’re going to fall head over heels for this Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese. This delicious twist on the classic dish combines creamy macaroni with the rich, smoky flavor of gouda and the irresistible addition of bacon.
No dish brings my husband and kids more joy than a big bowl of creamy mac and cheese at dinnertime. While they’re happy with any mac and cheese, smoked gouda mac and cheese is hands down their favorite. If you’ve never tried smoked gouda cheese, you’re in for a treat. It creates a luxuriously creamy cheese sauce with a subtle smoky flavor that’s perfectly complemented by the crispy bacon in this recipe.
This smoked gouda mac and cheese is so satisfying on its own, but I love pairing it with my Buttermilk Chicken Tenders and Collard Greens for a true Southern meal. It’s the ultimate comfort food combination that will have everyone at the table asking for seconds!
Ingredients Needed
- Bacon - Aim for a nice thick smokey bacon.
- Pasta - Elbow for traditional mac and cheese. Other pastas can be used like, penne, spirals or even mini farfalle.
- Gouda - Block cheese works best. Grab a good quality smoked gouda for the best flavor.
- Butter - unsalted or salted
- All-purpose flour
- Milk- This recipe can be made with whole milk or 2% milk. I have not tried it with any other type of milk.
- Nutmeg - Great for adding flavor to the sauce.
- Ground Mustard - (optional) This along with the nutmeg are great for amping up the flavor in this mac and cheese dish.
- Salt
- Pepper
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How to Make Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese
Whether you're cooking for a weeknight dinner or a special gathering, this Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese is sure to be a crowd-pleaser every time.
1. Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.
2. In a saucepan over medium heat melt the butter, then whisk in the flour to make the roux. Allow to cook for 1 minute.
3. Slowly whisk in ¼ of the milk, whisking continuously to prevent clumping. Then add in all of the milk and continue whisking until the milk thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.
4. Whisk in the nutmeg, ground mustard, salt and pepper. Then whisk in the shredded cheese. Whisking continuously until the cheese has been fully incorporated. Remove from the heat.
5. Stir in the cooked pasta and half of the chopped bacon. Sprinkle the remaining bacon on top. Enjoy!
Tips for Making Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese
- For a creamier sauce mix in ¼ - ½ of milk or heavy cream. Adjust the seasonings if needed.
- Do not boil the sauce once the cheese has been added, it will give the sauce a grainy texture.
- If you want a thicker sauce add in more shredded cheese or top the finished mac and cheese with more shredded cheese.
Customizing Your Smoke GOuda Macaroni and Cheese
Not sure about how smoky you want the gouda flavor? You can easily adjust the recipe to suit your taste. If you’re looking for a milder flavor, feel free to use regular gouda (I do this all the time, and it still turns out great) instead of smoked gouda. For a balanced flavor profile, try blending smoked gouda with cheddar cheese for the best of both worlds.
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📖 Recipe
Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
- 2 slices thick cut bacon cooked and chopped
- 6 ounces elbow pasta
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup smoked gouda freshly shredded
- 2 cups milk
- 1 pinch nutmeg
- 1 pinch ground mustard
- ½ teaspoon salt
- To Taste black pepper
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.
- In a saucepan over medium heat melt the butter, then whisk in the flour to make the roux. Allow to cook for 1 minute. Stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
- Slowly whisk in ¼ of the milk, whisking continuously to prevent clumping. Then add in all of the milk and continue whisking until the milk thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.
- Whisk in the nutmeg, ground mustard, salt and pepper. Then whisk in the shredded cheese. Whisking continuously until the cheese has been fully incorporated. Remove from the heat. Adjust seasonings now, if needed.
- Stir in the cooked pasta and half of the chopped bacon. Sprinkle the remaining bacon on top. Enjoy!
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