Gouda Mac And Cheese Urban Farmie

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Notes and Variations

Choice of gouda. Look, I’ve tested this recipe with regular and smoked gouda cheese. Both work great, and it’s REALLY a matter of preference which one you use! If you want a more smokey flavor and can find smoked gouda easily in your grocery store, go with that. If you want something more classic and simple, stick with regular gouda. Substitute cheese. If you don’t have gouda, substitute with white cheddar or gruyere since they are both similarly melty and gooey. Here, you can choose between a classic cheddar or a more rustic sharp cheddar for enhanced flavor (I personally love sharp cheddar in this recipe!) Make a healthier version, by using a reduced-fat cheese such as gouda lite or low-fat cheddar. Replace some of the butter in the cheesy sauce with Greek yogurt or a light cream cheese to give it a creamy texture without adding too much fat. Trade pasta with cauliflower or chickpea macaroni for a low-carb alternative. Also try this cauliflower cheese recipe. Substitute milk. I use whole milk, but you can easily use skim or unsweetened plant-based milk like soy and oat as well. You can also use heavy cream and/or half and half for a more indulgent variation. Toppings and mix-ins. Since the amount of cheese IN the recipe was not enough, I add extra gouda cheese as a topping (you’re welcome!) But that said, you can also make your own breadcrumb topping, give it an extra zing by adding jalapeños or a few shakes of hot sauce, or bulk up the dish by adding cooked broccoli, cooked bell peppers or spinach.

Top with remaining cheese in an even layer. Bake for 20 minutes, until the cheese, is melted and lightly browned.

Cheesy goodness at its finest. Gouda is one of the most flavorful cheeses. It pairs perfectly with the richness of cheddar cheese in this delicious recipe. Plus, gouda melts beautifully, so your mac will have the perfect gooey texture! It’s kid-friendly. With its mild flavor and cheesy goodness, this dish is sure to be a hit among little ones as well as adults alike. Easy to make and customize. It takes less than 40 minutes to make this delicious dish from start to finish, and you can either bake to perfection or serve without baking - easy, peasy!

Love mac and cheese? Try my kimchi mac n cheese, microwave mac and cheese, or for something more traditionally Italian, authentic cacio e pepe. Add salt to a large pot of water and bring to a boil. Cook macaroni until al dente (according to package directions) and drain. Set aside. Add onion and cook until translucent about 5 minutes. Stir in the flour, mustard powder, pepper, and salt. Let the flour cook for 1 minute, stirring often. Pro Tip: This is called a roux and it an important component in mac and cheese because it acts as a thickening agent, and prevents the sauce from becoming runny or separating. Add in the shredded cheeses and stir until it melts into a creamy cheese sauce. Pro Tip: I have cooked the pasta in a separate dish, but you can also make this dish in a sufficiently large cast iron skillet, so you can just pop the skillet right into the oven. Your baked gouda mac and cheese is ready to be devoured!

Cook your pasta until just al dente, because it will continue cooking in the oven. This prevents the mac and cheese from becoming mushy. Start with less milk than you think you’ll need, especially if you prefer a thicker sauce. You can always add more later, but it’s hard to fix a watery cheese sauce. After baking, pop your mac and cheese under the broiler for 1-2 minutes to get that golden, crispy top layer. Just keep a close eye so it doesn’t burn!

🍴 How to serve gouda mac and cheese

This gouda mac and cheese is perfect if you want to prep it ahead of time (I know, I’m thinking of the holidays when I feel like I’m literally in the kitchen for days in a row). Leftovers can be kept in your fridge for three or four days. To reheat your dish, add some milk to the dish. Then, either reheat on the stovetop (for about 2-3 minutes) or in your microwave (about 1 minute). You can also make these macaroni bites!