Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese

5 from 1 vote

Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese

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

Cook Time45

Total Time1 30

Course: Dinner, Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: casserole, mac and cheese, pasta, Side dish, vegetarian

Servings:

Calories: 334kcal

Author: Tara Teaspoon

Ingredients

1 medium yellow onion finely diced
4 tablespoons olive oil divided
¼ cup water
1 16-ounce box medium shell pasta
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
4 cups whole milk warmed
2½ teaspoons kosher salt
⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
7 ounces smoked Gouda cheese shredded 3 cups
11 ounces Monterey Jack cheese shredded 4 cups
1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
1 teaspoon chopped thyme

Instructions

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.

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