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Creamy Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese with Crispy Bacon Topping

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A creamy, indulgent mac and cheese featuring smoky gouda cheese and a crispy bacon topping, perfect for cozy dinners and crowd-pleasing meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces elbow macaroni (or any small pasta like shells or cavatappi)
  • 8 ounces smoked gouda cheese, shredded
  • 4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups whole milk (room temperature)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 6 slices bacon, cooked until crispy and chopped
  • Optional: 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs mixed with 1 tablespoon melted butter

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces of elbow macaroni and cook until just al dente, about 7-8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat a skillet over medium heat and fry 6 slices of bacon until crispy, about 6-8 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to drain, then chop roughly. Reserve some bacon fat if desired.
  3. In a medium saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Whisk in 3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour and cook for about 2 minutes until bubbly and lightly golden.
  4. Slowly pour in 3 cups of whole milk while whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Continue cooking and whisking until sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon, about 6-8 minutes.
  5. Stir in 1 teaspoon each of garlic powder and onion powder, plus salt and black pepper to taste.
  6. Remove sauce from heat and stir in 8 ounces shredded smoked gouda and 4 ounces shredded sharp cheddar until melted and smooth.
  7. Add drained pasta to the cheese sauce and fold gently to coat evenly. Optionally drizzle a teaspoon of reserved bacon fat for extra smoky flavor.
  8. Optional baking step: Preheat oven to 375°F. Transfer mac and cheese to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Mix 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs with 1 tablespoon melted butter and sprinkle over the top. Scatter chopped bacon on top.
  9. Bake for 15-20 minutes until topping is golden and crispy. If skipping baking, just sprinkle bacon on top and serve immediately.
  10. Let cool for a few minutes before serving.

Notes

For gluten-free, substitute flour with gluten-free blend or cornstarch and use gluten-free pasta. For dairy-free, try smoked vegan cheese and dairy-free milk but texture will differ. Freshly shred cheese for best melting. Reserve bacon fat to add smoky flavor to sauce if desired. Baking the mac and cheese with breadcrumb topping adds a crunchy crust; alternatively, broil for 2-3 minutes for a golden crust.

Nutrition

Keywords: mac and cheese, smoked gouda, bacon, creamy, comfort food, easy dinner, cheesy pasta

Find it online: https://wigglebite.com/creamy-smoked-gouda-mac-and-cheese-recipe-with-crispy-bacon-topping-easy-and-delicious/