Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese (with bacon)

Smoked Gouda Mac & Cheese is a rich and creamy indulgence that will make you ditch the box for good.

Decadent foods like this are not exactly part of our menu planning right now. It is January after all, a time for renewing our good intentions to eat healthy, get more rest, and exercise. There is truly no room in that plan for mac & cheese… with bacon. But Keith and I are not exactly “all or nothing” kind of people, especially when it comes to food. So when my superman came to me one day and told me he was craving a rich and creamy mac & cheese and that he had this recipe in mind that he wanted to try, I simply couldn’t say no. I left him in the kitchen, ran off to SoulCycle to burn some extra calories, and prepared to come home to a carb feast fit for a queen.

Ingredients:

PASTA SHELLS: (or pasta of your choice): we also like Elbow Macaroni, Ditali, Penne, or any short grain pasta

CREAM CHEESE: this is the key to super creamy macaroni & cheese (that re-heats with ease!)

SMOKED GOUDA CHEESE: known for its nutty, buttery flavor, we love recipes with smoked gouda! It makes for a creamy, delicious (and slightly smoky) Mac & Cheese. We shredded the cheese before making this recipe.

BUTTER: salted or unsalted works in this recipe, depending on your taste.

HEAVY CREAM: using half heavy cream and half milk makes the best Mac and Cheese

MILK: we like 1% here, but any milk will do

ONION POWDER & SMOKED PAPRIKA: for that extra kick of flavor

SALT & WHITE PEPPER: (to taste) you can use black pepper too.

BACON: crispy bacon pieces add that special something to this Mac and Cheese recipe. We also use the bacon grease to coat the baking dish for extra smoky flavor!

How To Make this Recipe:

1. Bring water to boil in large pot. Add pasta and cook until al dente.
2. Preheat oven to 350°
3. When pasta is done, drain, reserving 1 C of pasta water.
4. Return pasta to the pot. Add butter, cream cheese and pasta water.
5. Heat over medium heat to low heat until cream cheese has melted.
6. Add shredded gouda cheese along with milk and heavy cream and cook, stirring often over low heat until cheese sauce thickens. If needed you can add more milk to desired consistency.
7. In a sauté pan, cook bacon until crispy. Remove from pan, reserving ¼ C bacon grease.
8. Chop bacon up into small pieces.
9. Using an oven safe 4 qt container, add bacon grease and rub sides to coat.
10. Transfer mac and cheese to container and bake for 20 minutes.
11. Remove from heat and garnish with chopped bacon.

I hate to say this in January, but it was all worth it. Keith used smoked gouda and a blend of creamy ingredients to create this masterpiece known as Smoked Gouda Mac & Cheese with Bacon. It is a deliciously decadent meal that is the essence of comfort food, especially on a cold winter day. It beats the boxed stuff hands down, and I don’t regret enjoying every last bite. It’s important to indulge every once in a while. Now, back to Kale Salad.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's):

More Macaroni and Cheese Recipes:

Pub Style Mac and Cheese: made with sharp cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack chees, beer, and topped with crunchy pretzels, this bar food style macaroni and cheese is unforgettable.

Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese: inspired by our favorite sandwich, this cheesy recipe with a kick of hot sauce is a family favorite.

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