This gouda mac and cheese recipe will be your most popular side dish! The creamy Gouda sauce and caramelized onions bake to golden perfection under toasty breadcrumbs.
Prep Time30 minutesmins
Cook Time45 minutesmins
Total Time1 hourhr30 minutesmins
Course: Dinner, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: casserole, mac and cheese, pasta, Side dish, vegetarian
Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a medium nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions and sauté 1 minute. Add water and cover pan with a lid. Cook 5 minutes. Remove lid, reduce heat to medium, and cook onions, stirring frequently, until caramelized and dark golden brown, about 15 minutes. Set aside.
Heat oven to 400℉. Cook pasta in very salty water according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
In the pasta pot or a large saucepan, over medium heat, melt butter. Whisk in the flour and stir until the mixture is light brown and smells nutty, about 3 minutes. Slowly add the warm milk, whisking constantly. When all the milk has been added, bring to a simmer before stirring in salt, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and shredded cheeses. Reduce heat to low and cook, stirring, until the sauce has thickened and cheese is melted, 3 to 5 minutes.
Add caramelized onion and cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and toss to coat. Pour into a 9-by-13-inch pan or 3-quart casserole dish.
In a small bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, thyme, and remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil.
Top mac and cheese with breadcrumb mixture and bake until top has turned golden brown and the cheese sauce is bubbling, 40 to 45 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes before serving.