Creamy Smoked Gouda and Sharp Cheddar Mac & Cheese
Indulge in this rich and creamy mac and cheese featuring a perfect blend of smoky gouda and extra sharp cheddar. This dish elevates a classic comfort food with the addition of crunchy bacon and golden panko breadcrumbs for an irresistible texture. The creamy cheese sauce, made from scratch, envelops your choice of short pasta, ensuring every bite is packed with flavor. Perfect for family dinners or entertaining guests, this mac and cheese is sure to become a favorite at your table!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
Bacon
5 slices (cooked until crispy, crumbled)
Panko breadcrumbs
1 1/2 cups (toasted)
Short pasta
1 lb (cooked according to package directions)
Butter
4 tablespoons (melted)
All-purpose flour
4 tablespoons (for thickening the sauce)
Milk
4 cups (whole milk preferred)
Salt
1/2 teaspoon (to taste)
Fresh ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon (to taste)
Sharp cheddar cheese
8 ounces (grated, divided (about 2 cups))
Smoked gouda cheese
8 ounces (grated, divided (about 2 cups))
Instructions
1
In a large skillet, fry the bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon and let it drain on paper towels.
2
In the same skillet, add the panko breadcrumbs and toast them in the bacon fat until they are golden brown. Combine the crumbled bacon with the toasted panko and set aside.
3
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the short pasta (penne or elbow macaroni) and cook according to package directions until al dente. Do not rinse; once cooked, drain and set aside.
4
In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium-low heat. Whisk in the flour until smooth and cook for about 2 minutes to eliminate the raw flour taste.
5
Gradually add the milk while whisking continuously. Cook the mixture for about 5 minutes, stirring constantly, until it thickens.
6
Reduce the heat to low and stir in the salt and black pepper. Begin adding the grated sharp cheddar cheese and smoked gouda cheese, about a cup at a time, stirring after each addition until fully melted and combined to prevent graininess.
7
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta and cheese sauce, stirring well to ensure the pasta is evenly coated.
8
Transfer the pasta mixture into a lightly greased 8 x 11 x 2 inch baking dish, scraping the bowl to ensure all the sauce is used.
9
Top with the remaining cheese and the bacon-panko crumb mixture. (Optional: Add a layer of shredded parmesan cheese under the topping for an extra cheesy crust.)
10
Bake in a preheated oven at 400°F for 20-30 minutes, or until the top is bubbly and golden brown. Let it rest for 10-15 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main dish in this recipe?
The dish is a Creamy Smoked Gouda and Sharp Cheddar Mac & Cheese.
Which cheeses are used in this mac and cheese?
This recipe uses 8 ounces of sharp cheddar cheese and 8 ounces of smoked gouda cheese.
What type of pasta is recommended?
Short pasta such as penne or elbow macaroni is recommended for this recipe.
How much bacon is required?
You will need 5 slices of bacon, cooked until crispy and crumbled.
How do I prepare the panko breadcrumbs?
Toast 1.5 cups of panko breadcrumbs in the bacon fat until they are golden brown.
What is the purpose of the all-purpose flour in the sauce?
The 4 tablespoons of flour are used to thicken the cheese sauce by making a roux with butter.
How much milk is needed for the cheese sauce?
The recipe calls for 4 cups of milk, with whole milk being the preferred choice.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
Preheat your oven to 400°F.
How long does the mac and cheese need to bake?
Bake the dish for 20-30 minutes until the top is bubbly and golden brown.
What size baking dish should I use?
A lightly greased 8 x 11 x 2 inch baking dish is required.
How long should the dish rest after baking?
It should rest for 10-15 minutes before serving.
How do I prevent the cheese sauce from becoming grainy?
Add the grated cheese about a cup at a time over low heat, stirring after each addition until fully melted.
What seasonings are used in the sauce?
The sauce is seasoned with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of fresh ground black pepper, or to taste.
Can I add other cheeses to the topping?
Yes, you can optionally add a layer of shredded parmesan cheese under the bacon-panko topping for an extra cheesy crust.
What should the pasta's texture be after boiling?
The pasta should be cooked until it is al dente.
How much butter is needed?
The recipe requires 4 tablespoons of butter.
Do I need to rinse the pasta after draining?
No, do not rinse the pasta once it is cooked.
How many slices of bacon are used for the topping?
5 slices of bacon are used, crumbled and mixed with the toasted panko.
What heat should I use to melt the butter and flour?
Use medium-low heat to melt the butter and whisk in the flour.
How long should I cook the flour and butter mixture?
Cook the roux for about 2 minutes to eliminate the raw flour taste.
What is the total amount of pasta used?
The recipe uses 1 lb of short pasta.
How long does it take for the milk and roux mixture to thicken?
It takes about 5 minutes of constant stirring for the mixture to thicken.
What makes the topping crunchy?
The crunch comes from a combination of toasted panko breadcrumbs and crispy crumbled bacon.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Tags include macaroni and cheese, comfort food, cheesy, smoked gouda, sharp cheddar, and bacon.
Is this recipe considered easy?
Yes, it is tagged as an easy recipe and is family-friendly.
How much grated cheese is used in total?
Total cheese used is approximately 4 cups (2 cups of cheddar and 2 cups of smoked gouda).
When do I combine the pasta and sauce?
Combine them in a large mixing bowl after the cheese sauce is fully melted and smooth.
What should I do with the bacon fat?
Use the bacon fat in the skillet to toast the panko breadcrumbs for extra flavor.
What is the final step before putting the dish in the oven?
Top the pasta mixture with the remaining cheese and the bacon-panko crumb mixture.
What is the description of the final texture?
The dish is rich and creamy with an irresistible texture from the crunchy bacon and golden panko breadcrumbs.