Gouda Mac and Cheese

Close up of pasta with melted cheese on a plate.

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This Gouda Mac and Cheese incorporates flavorful gouda along with three other cheeses to create a wonderfully creamy yet simple four-cheese mac and cheese recipe that your whole family will devour!

Prep Time10

Cook Time35

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American, Southern

Servings:

Calories: 580kcal

Author: Sally

Ingredients

10 ounces uncooked pasta macaroni, cavatappi, etc.
4 cups water
¼ cup butter salted
6 ounces cheddar cheese shredded (about 1-½ cups)
4 ounces cream cheese
6 ounces gouda cheese shredded (about 1-½ cups)
¼ teaspoon paprika
⅛ teaspoon nutmeg
1 cup whole milk
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper more to taste
salt to taste
⅓ cup panko bread crumbs
¼ cup parmesan cheese shredded or grated

Instructions

Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain, reserving about ½ cup of cooling water left in pan.
On low heat, add milk and spices. Stir to incorporate and slightly warm the milk.
Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
Add butter, cream cheese, cheddar, and gouda to the pasta mixture.
Stir while still on low heat until butter and cheeses are melted.
Pour pasta mixture into small casserole dish (mine is 11 x 8 inches). Sprinkle bread crumbs and parmesan cheese evenly over top.
Cook in 450-degree oven for 15-20 minutes or until nicely browned and bubbly.

Notes

For best results, add the milk before the cheeses and let the milk warm up a bit before adding the cheeses. The cheese can get clumpy when added to cold milk. You don't want the milk to boil, however - just have the temperature on low heat while warming the milk and melting the butter and cheeses.
Mixture will be a bit "soupy" when going into the oven. Just know that it will thicken and be a nice, creamy consistency out of the oven.

Nutrition