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Gouda Mac and Cheese with Crispy Bread Topping Recipe

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4.3 from 85 reviews

This Gouda Mac and Cheese recipe combines creamy, melted gouda cheeses with perfectly cooked elbow macaroni, enhanced by a flavorful roux-based cheese sauce and a crispy, buttery bread topping. You can enjoy it as a rich stovetop dish or bake it for a golden, crunchy crust, making it a comforting and indulgent classic crowd-pleaser.

  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

Pasta

  • 1 pound elbow macaroni (or any smaller pasta like shells or spirals)

Cheese Sauce

  • ½ cup butter
  • ½ cup unbleached all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground mustard powder
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 4 cups whole milk
  • 3 cups shredded mild creamy gouda cheese
  • 2 cups shredded smoked gouda cheese
  • 1 cup shredded gouda cheese

Topping

  • 4 cups roughly chopped white bread (or small cubes)
  • ¼ cup melted butter
  • Seasoning of choice (salt and pepper, seasoning salt, or homemade bouillon powder)
  • 1-2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley (optional)

Instructions

  1. Cook the macaroni. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add the elbow macaroni. Cook until al dente following the package directions, then drain and set aside.
  2. Make the roux and cheese sauce. Melt ½ cup butter in a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the flour, garlic powder, onion powder, mustard powder, sea salt, and cayenne pepper. Whisk continuously for 1 minute to form a smooth roux paste. Gradually pour in the whole milk while whisking to avoid lumps. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens, about 5 minutes. Turn off heat and add the shredded mild creamy gouda, smoked gouda, and gouda cheese in handfuls, stirring until melted and smooth. Adjust seasoning if necessary.
  3. Combine pasta and cheese sauce. Add the cooked and drained macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir well to coat all pasta evenly. The mac and cheese is ready to serve at this stage for a creamy stovetop version.
  4. Prepare the baked version. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Pour the mac and cheese mixture into a casserole dish and spread evenly.
  5. Add cheese and bread topping. Sprinkle 1 cup shredded gouda evenly over the mac and cheese. In a bowl, toss the chopped bread cubes with melted butter, your seasoning of choice, and optional fresh parsley until well coated.
  6. Bake until golden and bubbly. Spread the bread topping evenly over the cheese layer. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes until the topping is golden brown and the sauce bubbles around the edges. Be careful not to overbake to avoid drying out the cheese sauce.

Notes

  • For a richer, creamier mac and cheese, use whole milk as indicated; for a lighter version, substitute with 2% milk but expect less creaminess.
  • You can skip baking and serve immediately after mixing the pasta and cheese sauce for a quick stovetop comfort meal.
  • Using a mix of mild and smoked gouda adds depth and complexity to the flavor.
  • The bread topping can be customized with different herbs or spices to suit your taste.
  • Ensure not to overbake to keep the sauce creamy beneath the crunchy topping.
  • Author: Madelynn
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Find it online: https://allyumcooks.com/gouda-mac-and-cheese-with-crispy-bread-topping-recipe/