This flavor-loaded Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese is rich, creamy, and bold. You’ll love this reader-favorite mac and cheese that’s the perfect side dish for any occasion! Psst, the crumbled bacon topping takes it to a whole ‘notha level!

smoked gouda mac and cheese in baking dish with wooden spoon

Have y’all ever had some smoked gouda cheese before? The origin of gouda traces back to the Netherlands and it is also commonly made from pasteurized or unpasteurized cow’s, goat’s, or sheep’s milk. In addition, gouda cheese has a yellow hue with an edible waxed outer rind.

Its aroma is wonderfully pungent and it has a creamy, nutty, and full-bodied taste. Gouda is one heck of a popular cheese as it’s commonly used on charcuterie boards, in sandwiches, as fondue, etc. So, how one could use gouda cheese is endless.

gouda mac and cheese with crumbled bacon on small plate

If you’re new here, I want you to know that I have an affinity for mac and cheese. Seriously, ya girl loves her some mac and cheese, this is exhibit one and exhibit two. It’s just a real kind of cozy comfort dish that I’m digging anytime but especially around those times when you’re in the mood for some delicious indulgence. And we all know that a good mac and cheese just hits way different, ha!

Friends, this smoked gouda mac and cheese is straight-up FIRE. Yeah, I’m tooting my own horn but for a very good reason. You see, it’s super creamy, decadent, flavorful and not to mention it has that bangin’ smoked gouda cheese flavor all throughout. It’s certainly a dish that I make for family/friend get-togethers and it’s on my holiday feast table for sure.

ingredients for smoked gouda mac and cheese on tiled surface

What You’ll Need For This Recipe:

(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)

  • Pasta: I’d recommend using any kind of short pasta noodle such as elbow macaroni, cavatappi, shells, etc. In these photos specifically, we used a short pasta noodle called lumaconi. I love the shape of them and they have a wide noodle hole (umm, that doesn’t sound weird) that holds cheese sauce well!
  • The cheeses: Smoked gouda cheese and sharp white cheddar cheese. While this recipe is all about the smoked gouda cheese, sharp cheddar comes in to provide balance and contrast in flavor against the sharpness of gouda.
  • Butter: Listen, if you see a mac and cheese recipe that does not call for butter, run for the hills! Butter is an essential fat needed for richness, flavor, and to keep a level of moisture within the mac. >> #butterbeready 🧈
  • Flour: To help thicken the cheese sauce.
  • Heavy cream & milk: These are the two liquid components to build the cheese sauce. Both ingredients add a level of richness and creaminess.
  • Spices: Smoked paprika, white pepper, ground mustard, garlic powder, ground nutmeg, and salt. Yes, even macaroni and cheese gets seasoned because bland mac is offensive. And a slight pinch of ground nutmeg enhances the overall flavor, trust me on this!
creamy mac and cheese in pot with wooden spoon
creamy smoked gouda mac and cheese in large pot
shredded cheese on top of pasta in baking dish
smoked gouda mac and cheese in baking dish

How To Make Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese:

(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)

  1. First, cook pasta according to package directions, al dente, and then set aside. In a large dutch oven or pot, heat butter over medium-low heat. Once butter has melted add in flour and stir until all flour has dissolved in butter.
  2. Next, add in heavy cream and milk and then stir to combine with butter/flour mixture. Let the mixture come up to a slight boil and then add in seasonings and stir.
  3. Lastly, add the cheeses and stir until all the cheese has melted, then add in al dente pasta. Stir together to make sure all pasta is coated in sauce and add salt to preference level.
  4. Then transfer into a lightly greased large baking dish and top with remaining smoked gouda cheese. Bake the dish for 25-30 minutes or until golden and bubbly.
smoked gouda mac and cheese in bowls with fork

A Few Notes On This Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese:

  • It’s important to note that smoked gouda cheese has a very strong pungent taste on its own, so I’ve added some extra sharp white cheddar cheese to give it a slight balance. Even with it being added, the smoked gouda cheese flavor still rings through, trust me.
  • As I always say when it comes to cheese, do NOT buy the pre-shredded kind. Buy your cheese in block form so that you can grate by hand using a handheld grater or shred it in a food processor. Pre-shredded cheese has a coating on it that prevents the cheese from getting ultra-creamy.
  • This smoked gouda mac and cheese is best served baked in the oven with extra shredded cheese on top, however, you can enjoy it straight from the stovetop if you prefer.
smoked gouda mac and cheese with crumbled bacon on small plate

This Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese recipe is a favorite for a reason. I can’t recommend this comforting dish enough. Be sure to tag @butterbeready in your BBR recipe creations, I sure love to see it when you do. Until next time! 🤟🏾

A few more cozy recipes for you:

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gouda mac and cheese with crumbled bacon on small plate

Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 56 reviews
  • Author: Quin Liburd
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 8-10
  • Category: Side Dishes
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
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Description

This flavor-loaded Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese is rich, creamy, and bold. You’ll love this reader-favorite mac and cheese that’s the perfect side dish for any occasion! Psst, the crumbled bacon topping takes it to a whole ‘notha level!

Ingredients

  • 1 lb short-cut pasta, elbow macaroni or shells
  • 16 ounces (two 8-ounce blocks) smoked gouda cheese- grated by hand, divided
  • 8-ounces extra sharp white cheddar cheese, grated by hand
  • ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
  • 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon ground white pepper
  • ½ teaspoon ground mustard
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • Kosher salt, to taste
  • 4 slices cooked bacon, crumbled- for topping/garnish– optional

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Coat a 9×13-inch (or similarly large) baking dish with nonstick spray and set aside.
  2. Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Then generously salt the water and cook your pasta according to package directions, al dente, and then set the pasta aside.
  3. In a large dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot, heat the butter over medium-low heat. Once the butter has melted, add the flour and whisk until all the flour disappears. Then slowly add the heavy cream and milk with one hand while stirring with the other hand. Let the mixture come up to a slight boil. 
  4. Once achieved, stir in the spices: smoked paprika, white pepper, mustard, garlic powder, nutmeg, and salt- to taste. Then stir in 8 ounces of smoked gouda cheese and white cheddar cheese. Whisk until all cheese has melted through and turn off the heat.
  5. Next, add the cooked and drained pasta into the cheese mixture and stir well until fully incorporated, ensuring the pasta is coated in the sauce. 
  6. Transfer the mac and cheese into the prepared baking dish, and top with remaining 8 ounces of smoked gouda cheese, covering the entire surface. 
  7. Bake for 25-30 minutes at 350°F or until the mac and cheese is golden and bubbly throughout.
  8. Allow the dish to cool for 15 minutes and serve warm. Garnish the mac and cheese with crumbled bacon, if desired. Enjoy!

Notes

  1. Please read blog post in its entirety for more tips + tricks.

Recipe by: Quin Liburd- Butter Be Ready

Photography by: Ashley McLaughlin