Homemade gouda mac n cheese is a delicious comfort food that is perfect for a weeknight meal or as a side dish. It is made with a creamy cheese sauce, tender macaroni noodles, and a mix of shredded cheeses. This dish comes together quickly right on your stovetop.
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Jump to:
- ❤️ Favorite things about this recipe
- 📝 Ingredients you'll need
- 🥄 Step by step: instructions
- 💡 Let's make the perfect recipe: Amira's tips
- 🧺 How to store leftovers
- 🍽️ Perfect pairings: what to serve with
- 👩🍳 Variations to make it your own
- ⌛ Make Ahead
- 💬 Your questions answered: FAQs
- 📣 Related Recipes
- Gouda Mac and Cheese
❤️ Favorite things about this recipe
- Ultra-rich and creamy due to the irresistible combination of creamy gouda and white cheddar.
- An easy and delicious recipe, you will never go back to the boxed stuff.
- The homemade macaroni cheese recipe is the perfect side dish during the holidays.
Creamy macaroni recipe that is so simple you will wonder why you have ever purchased that box from your grocery store. Make a big batch and have it on hand for your kids or your next bbq.
📝 Ingredients you'll need
Note: This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions in the recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.
🥄 Step by step: instructions
Note: This is an overview of the instructions. The full recipe is in the card at the bottom of the post.
- Cook pasta in a large pot of salted water according to package directions, drain, and drizzle with a little olive oil to prevent sticking.
- In a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium high heat, melt butter and whisk in flour for a minute or two. Pour in milk while whisking until incorporated. Pour in the evaporated milk slowly while whisking as well.
- Season with salt and pepper and keep whisking until mixture thickens yet smooth with no lumps. Reduce heat to low and mix in grated cheese.
- Keep mixing until the cheese melts. Add cooked pasta and stir to combine.
💡 Let's make the perfect recipe: Amira's tips
- You can use any small pasta you like but elbow is the most common.
- Start with ¾ cup of milk then add more milk if you feel it is too thick for your liking.
- I recommend shredding your own cheese as pre-shredded cheese might be harder to melt.
- Feel free to add any seasonings you like, my family just like the basics but you can add anything like garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, any spice mix...etc.
- You can use either yellow or white sharp cheddar in this recipe.
- This recipe cooks up quickly, don't walk away from the stove top once you start.
🧺 How to store leftovers
Refrigerate - Leftover pasta can be refrigerated in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
Reheat- on low heat in a pot or microwave, but stir in a splash of milk first.
🍽️ Perfect pairings: what to serve with
- When serving macaroni and cheese as a meatless main dish, I like serving it with some vegetables like this Air Fryer Frozen Broccoli or a side of Roasted Brussels sprouts.
- As a side dish I think I like it best with this Meatloaf Recipe with Breadcrumbs.
- End such a delicious meal with some easy Baked Apple Slices.
👩🍳 Variations to make it your own
- Use different kinds of cheese, cream cheese is a favorite here.
- Smoked gouda cheese can be used in place of regular gouda.
- You can also use heavy cream for a richer dish.
⌛ Make Ahead
Gouda mac and cheese can be made beforehand and then heated before serving.
💬 Your questions answered: FAQs
Yes! Both cheddars taste the same, however, if you have kids and they only eat the orange mac and cheese, you may want to add orange cheddar to this recipe.
Pre packaged shredded cheese is great for convenience however, when making homemade mac and cheese it is better texture and flavor if you grate your own cheese.
📣 Related Recipes
- Creamy Tuscan chicken pasta is one of those recipes that you would want on repeat. A delicious home cooked meal with tons of flavors.
- Tahini pasta is a quick delicious vegan pasta recipe or a side dish. This creamy lemony tahini pasta sauce is a wonderful alternative to the traditional tomato pasta sauce.
- Ricotta Pasta is the quick answer to what's for dinner tonight question. Creamy, lemony and so simple pasta dish that can stand on its own or as a side dish.
If you like this recipe do not forget to give it a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ star rating and attach a photo of your finished dish. It is always a pleasure of mine to see your photos and check your own take of the recipe. Thank you.
Gouda Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
- ½ pound dry elbow macaroni
- 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 Tablespoons all purpose flour
- 1 can evaporated milk 12 ounces
- ¾ - 1 cup whole milk
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese 8 ounces
- 1 cup gouda cheese 4 ounces
- paprika for garnish optional
Instructions
- Cook pasta al dente according to package directions, drain and drizzle with a little olive oil to prevent sticking.
- In a large pot or dutch oven over medium heat, melt butter and whisk in flour for a minute or two.
- Pour in the evaporated milk slowly while whisking as well.
- Season with salt and pepper and keep whisking until mixture thickens yet smooth and no lumps.
- Keep mixing until cheese melts.
- Add pasta and stir to combine.
- Remove from heat and serve sprinkled with paprika if desired.
Notes
- You can use any small pasta you like but elbow is the most common.
- Start with ¾ cup of milk then add more milk if you feel it is too thick for your liking.
- I recommend shredding your own cheese as pre shredded cheese might be harder to melt.
- Feel free to add any seasoning you like, my family just like the basic but you can add anything lie garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, any spic mix...etc.
- Leftover gouda mac and cheese can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat in a pot or microwave but stir in a bit of milk first.
- Please check the nutrition disclaimer policy.
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Layla
Looks delish! If cream cheese is used, at what point is it added and do you eliminate one of the other cheeses?
Thank You.