Hamdi Saidani This Pioneer Woman Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese is a creamy and smoky recipe, which is made with smoked Gouda and American cheese. It’s the perfect weeknight dinner, ready in about 25 minutes.
Pioneer Woman Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese Ingredients
- 8 oz macaroni pasta
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp all purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1/4 cup 2% milk, plus more if needed
- 6 oz smoked gouda cheese, shredded, rind removed
- 2 slices deluxe American cheese
- 1 tsp salt, or more to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper
How To Make Pioneer Woman Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese
- Cook the Pasta: In a medium pot of well-salted water, cook the macaroni pasta according to the package directions until it is al dente. Drain well.
- Make the Sauce Base: While the pasta cooks, melt the butter in a medium/large pot over medium heat. Whisk in the flour to create a roux. Pour in the heavy cream and the 1/4 cup of milk. Add the salt. Use a whisk to stir continuously until the sauce is smooth and starts to thicken.
- Melt the Cheeses: Once the sauce comes to a gentle boil, turn off the heat. Add the shredded smoked Gouda and the slices of American cheese. Stir until the cheeses are completely melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Combine and Serve: Taste the sauce and add more salt if needed. Fold the drained, hot pasta into the cheese sauce until it is fully coated. Serve immediately.
Recipe Tips
- How to get the creamiest sauce? The secret is using a combination of cheeses. The smoked Gouda provides a deep, smoky flavor, while the American cheese is the key to an ultra-smooth, creamy sauce that never breaks or gets grainy.
- Can I bake this mac and cheese? Yes! To turn this into a baked casserole, pour the finished mac and cheese into a greased baking dish. Top with extra shredded cheese or buttered breadcrumbs and bake at 375°F for 15-20 minutes, until bubbly and golden on top.
- What if my sauce is too thick? As the recipe note suggests, this is an easy fix! If the cheese sauce seems too thick for your liking, simply whisk in another tablespoon or two of milk until it reaches your desired creamy consistency.
- How do I get the best flavor? For the richest, most complex smoky flavor, be sure to use a good quality, naturally smoked Gouda cheese and shred it yourself from a block.
What To Serve With Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese
This is the ultimate comfort food side dish, but it’s also hearty enough to be a main course. It pairs perfectly with:
- BBQ Pulled Pork or Ribs
- A simple grilled steak
- A crisp green salad or steamed broccoli to cut through the richness
- Roasted chicken
How To Store Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The sauce will thicken considerably as it cools.
- Reheat: The best way to reheat is on the stovetop over low heat. Add a generous splash of milk and stir frequently until it is hot and creamy again.
Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese Nutrition Facts
- Serving: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 710 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Protein: 22g
- Fat: 52g
- Saturated Fat: 32g
- Sodium: 1250mg
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Do I have to use American cheese?
For this specific style of ultra-creamy, smooth mac and cheese, yes. The American cheese contains sodium citrate, an emulsifier that prevents the cheese sauce from becoming greasy or grainy. It’s the secret to its signature texture.
Why is my sauce lumpy?
A lumpy cheese sauce is usually caused by either the heat being too high when the cheese was added, or from not creating a smooth roux-and-milk base first. Always melt your cheese on a very low heat or, as this recipe does, off the heat entirely.
Can I use a different pasta?
Yes. While macaroni is classic, this dish is fantastic with other sturdy shapes that can hold onto the creamy sauce, like shells, cavatappi, rotini, or penne.
Try More Pioneer Woman Recipes:
- Pioneer Woman Spaghetti Mac and Cheese Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Freezer Mac and Cheese Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Fiesta Mac and Cheese Recipe
Pioneer Woman Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese Recipe
Description
A quick and easy one-pot stovetop mac and cheese featuring a rich, velvety sauce made with smoky Gouda for an incredible depth of flavor.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in salted water until al dente; drain.
- In a medium/large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute.
- Slowly whisk in the heavy cream and the milk until a smooth sauce forms. Whisk in the salt.
- Bring the sauce to a gentle boil until it has thickened.
- Turn off the heat and stir in the shredded smoked Gouda and the American cheese until completely melted.
- Fold in the hot, drained pasta until it is fully coated. Serve immediately.
Notes
- u003cliu003eThe most important tip for the creamiest, smoothest mac and cheese is to shred your own smoked Gouda from a block.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eDon’t overcook the pasta; it should still have a slight chew to it for the best final texture.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eStirring the cheese into the sauce u003cemu003eoff the heatu003c/emu003e is a key step that prevents the sauce from becoming greasy or grainy.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eThis dish comes together very quickly, so have all your ingredients prepped and ready to go before you start cooking.u003c/liu003e
