Smoked Gouda Macaroni and Cheese

Want to boost the flavor of macaroni and cheese? Try this Smoked Gouda Macaroni and Cheese with Bacon; it’s perfect!

Smoked Gouda Macaroni and Cheese with Bacon

I recently made this dish for Thanksgiving and it’s so fabulous I thought it would be great to share with an audience. We loved it! Smoked Gouda is a wonderful cheese and was perfect in this Smoked Gouda Macaroni and Cheese with bacon.

I’m like everyone else when it comes to Thanksgiving dishes; there is something about the dishes we’ve grown up with that seem so appropriate on this day when we give thanks. For the abundance of friends, family and of course, food at the table.

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For my small family there has always been a Maple and Bacon roasted turkey with cornbread stuffing (amazing with that maple flavored gravy), a very non traditional except for us, this mushroom dish, and a new cranberry sauce every year.

Then there is that need to do something different so every year, while staying in the vein of foods that seem appropriate for a traditional holiday, I try my hand at something we haven’t had before. I probably do that with dessert too…but we’re not there yet!

Smoked Gouda Macaroni and Cheese with Bacon

This year that dish is a Smoked Gouda Macaroni and Cheese with Bacon. I have to admit, for many years when I was a single mom the only macaroni and cheese that showed up at our table was from a blue box. My kids loved that stuff and I could tolerate it so it was a pantry staple.

Years ago I started making more of the ‘real deal’ type of macaroni and cheese combinations and I’m hooked. I don’t do it often and the ingredient list clearly shows why…butter, cream, cream cheese? All so good but not so often.

Thanksgiving is the perfect time to indulge and this years offering was inspired by one thing. That package of Smoked Gouda cheese I bought at Sprouts last week.

I didn’t have plans for it then but it sure fit perfectly into the plan I devised. Some sauteed onions, a bit of bacon and a whole bunch of cheese. I prefer cooking my macaroni and cheese on the stove-top and just browning the dish under the broiler after adding the crumb topping.

I like the gooey results so much more than baked. But you can bake it if you want; let me know how that turns out if you do.

I had every intention of freezing this for several meals this winter. Granted it lasted for several meals but none from the freezer. I would have a serving each day and say, ‘Tomorrow I’ll freeze the rest.’ Sure, right. It’s gone.

Smoked Gouda Macaroni and Cheese with Bacon

I suppose that is a good testimony but even better I think was my friends young son who is such a picky eater. He was here with his mom the other day as I was cleaning up and I asked him if he would like to try a bite and he did that thing picky eaters do; you know, just sort of automatically snubbed his nose at it.

I asked him if he liked Kraft Macaroni and Cheese and he said he did. So I got him a small plate, put a fork on it and just said he could try it if he wanted to.

It took a bit I won’t deny before that fork ventured with a small bite to his tongue but it did and lo and behold, the boy went nuts.

I don’t suppose any of us who love to cook could ask for more but he did. He even whispered to mom who shared with me. ‘Do you think we could take some home with us?’ Music to my ‘I love to feed the world’ ears!

It’s rich and warm and just redolent of this time of year when we want to nurture those we love with good food and good times. This one works for the food part; the rest is up to you!

As a side note now that the holiday season is over; this would also be perfect for the Food Bowl. You know that football game when it’s really all about the food? Do it!

Smoked Gouda Macaroni and Cheese with Bacon

Barbara Baker
Rich and flavorful with smoked Gouda, caramelized onions and bacon, this macaroni and cheese is cooked on the stove-top and finished with a flavorful bread crumb topping.
3.50 from 50 or more votes
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Pasta, Potatoes, Rice & Grains
Cuisine American
Servings 10 Servings
Calories 726 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 16 ounces elbow macaroni cooked and drained
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 1 medium onion diced
  • ½ cup flour
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 ½ cup milk
  • 1 ¼ cup heavy cream
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dry mustard
  • 2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • ½ pound smoked gouda cheese shredded
  • ½ pound sharp cheddar cheese shredded
  • 8 ounces cream cheese cubed

For the Crumb Topping

  • 2 cups Panko bread crumbs
  • 4 tablespoons butter melted
  • 4-6 slices bacon cooked and crumbled, about 1/2 cup after cooking
  • ½ cup Parmesan cheese

Instructions
 

  • Prepare macaroni according to package directions. Set aside.
  • In large oven safe pan, melt butter over medium high heat. Saute chopped onions until translucent and just starting to brown..
  • Reduce heat to medium and sprinkle in flour; whisking until mixed with butter and onion. Cook on medium heat for one minute.
  • Combine milk, cream and broth in a large measuring cup and add all at one time to mixture in pan. Whisk over medium heat for 1-2 minutes. Mixture will thicken considerably.
  • Add salt, pepper, mustard and Worcestershire sauce; reduce heat to low and continue to cook for 2-3 minutes.
  • Add the cheeses to the pan and stir to thoroughly combine.
  • Add cooked macaroni to cheese mixture and stir to combine; reduce heat and cook on low for 5 minutes for everything to meld together and get hot. Smooth top.
  • Combine panko bread crumbs, melted butter, bacon and Parmesan cheese together and mix well. Sprinkle over the top of the noodle casserole and broil the dish until the top is just starting to brown.
  • Remove from oven and serve.
  • NOTE: You can prepare ahead of time; reserving the topping. Heat on the stovetop, cover with the topping and broil immediately before serving.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Smoked Gouda Macaroni and Cheese with Bacon
Serving Size
 
1 Serving
Amount per Serving
Calories
726
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
46
g
71
%
Cholesterol
 
138
mg
46
%
Sodium
 
1239
mg
54
%
Carbohydrates
 
54
g
18
%
Protein
 
25
g
50
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Calories
726
Keyword Macaroni and cheese, smoked gouda
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Join myself and other bloggers as we celebrate Comfort Foods this season!

The Heritage Cook: Gluten-Free Cream Cheesy Risotto
The Mom 100: One Skillet Carroty Macaroni and Cheese
Daisy at Home: Squasheroni and Cheese
The Cultural Dish: New England (Lobster) Mac n’ Cheese
The Wimpy Vegetarian: Curried Cauliflower and Greens Mac ’n Cheese
Napa Farmhouse 1885: Cauliflower and Veggie “Mac” & Cheese
Red or Green: Mac & Cheese with Ham and Jalapenos
Swing Eats: Super Creamy Crab Mac-N-Cheese with Scallions (gluten-free)
Taste with the Eyes: Korean “Mac and Cheese” with Beef, Kimchi, Cheddar
FN Dish: Food Network Chefs’ Takes on the Gooiest Mac and Cheese Ever

Some Oldies but Goodies!

16 Comments

  1. This mac&cheese is ridiculously amazing!!! My girlfriends & I had a wine&expos pairing night & this was paired with an un-oaked Chardonnay & it was by far the best dish we had! THANK YOU FOR THIS!!

    I’m wanting to double this recipe for a large crowd (20people+)…would I simply just double each ingredient??

    ?

  2. I made this dish for Easter and it was simply amazing!!! Everybody loved it and it was my first homemade mac and cheese that I really enjoyed. I also gave this recipe to a friend & she loved it too! Thanks so much for sharing this recipe. It’s perfect as is! 🙂

    1. YAY! I just love it when someone shares my love for a dish; thanks so much for taking the time to let me know!

  3. made this dish tonight and it was awesome! One thing I did different was to leave about half of the bacon in the cheese sauce.

  4. Hi Barb,
    I’m really enjoying your website and recipes in between baking bread! I can’t wait to try this Smoked Gouda Mac & Cheese. Sounds really special! My boys will love it! Thanks, Cindy

  5. This looks like everything I want in a dish on a cold day– warm, cozy, cheesy and with bacon on top. I can see why this never made it into the freezer!

3.50 from 4 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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