Easy Baked Gouda Mac and Cheese

Easy baked gouda mac and cheese is a heart warming, comfort food. This cheesy, creamy, filling dish brings me back to my childhood. I remember those days of care-free life, not worrying about anything and just living each day in the moment. Hit fast forward on life, and now I am watching my children live the same care-free days. Good thing they love mac-n-cheese as much as I do!

This recipe is made with delicious gouda cheese and sharp cheddar cheese. It gets baked before it's all said and done, to give it an awesome, tasty, crispy top. And the best part? It's pretty easy to make.

You can serve this with just about anything. It's so versatile. Serve with chicken and broccoli, or make a bowl and mix the (cooked) chicken and (cooked) broccoli in with the mac-n-cheese before baking. Serve along side bbq, or bing to a pot luck. The possibilities are literally endless!

Ok, let's get into this.

You're Going to Need

• Pasta like shells, or elbow macaroni
• Butter
• Garlic Cloves
• Flour
• Milk
• Shredded Cheese- Gouda and Sharp Cheddar
• Bread Crumbs
• Salt and Pepper

What You'll Do

• Cook your pasta as directed.
• Melt butter in a large skillet (one with high sides) over medium heat.
• Add minced garlic, and saute for 1 minute.
• Add flour, whisking to create a roux (equal parts flour and fat). When flour is cooked in fat, the fat coats the flour's starch granules. This is necessary to thicken the milk to create that cheesey sauce.
• Begin whisking in the milk. Continue to cook and whisk until milk has thickened into a thin gravy like form, about 5-10 minutes.
• Turn off the heat, and add 2 1/4 cups shredded cheese, stirring until melted.
• Add drained pasta and stir until all the pasta is coated.
• Pour into a greased 9x13 pan.
• Add remaing 1/2 cup of cheese on top, followed by the bread crumbs.
• Put into a 400 degree oven, and bake uncovered for about 30 minutes, or until top is crispy, and has a nice golden color.

Now it's time to dig in and enjoy!

I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do!

I would love to hear your favorite variations of mac-n-cheese, and even what you love to serve it with below. As always, from my kitchen to yours, have a blessed day!