Creamy, melty smoked Gouda mac and cheese elevates your standard comfort food recipe to new heights. Nutty goodness from Gouda cheese added to an already decadent cheese sauce delivers a unique dish perfect for any elegant meal or family cookout.
Classic mac and cheese is an iconic recipe representing the king of all comfort foods. So what happens when we add smoked cheese for more creamy goodness? A miracle!
While my local grocery store has dedicated half an aisle to boxed macaroni and cheese, nothing beats homemade done right. And making it from scratch is easier than most people think. The cheese sauce is just a matter of making a roux, adding milk, and then melting the cheese!
What Smoking Does for Gouda
Highly spreadable, sweet, and creamy Gouda provides a unique nuttiness that gets even better when smoked. Something about it adds a bacony note that is always welcome in mac and cheese. Did I mention how creamy it is?
How to Make Mac and Smoked Cheese
- Make the roux, add the cream and milk, then add the seasonings.
- Add the grated mozzarella and Gouda and stir until melted. Stir the cheese sauce with the cooked macaroni, pour the mixture into a greased baking dish, top with more grated cheese, and bake until bubbly.
Recipe Notes
- Any melty cheese will work; a blend of sharp cheddar, Fontina, Monterey Jack, Gruyère, and Provolone is amazing. Smoked works even better.
- Macaroni is traditional, but any pasta will work. I’ve even used broken up spaghetti in a pinch, and no one complained.
- Gluten-free macaroni and gluten-free all-purpose flour will deliver delicious results.
Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions
Follow the instructions except for baking it to make this dish ahead. It’s even more important not to overcook the pasta, and an extra tablespoon or two of milk will keep it from drying out. Let it completely cool before covering and refrigerating for 1-2 days.
You can also freeze it for up to three months. Again, add extra liquid to the sauce so it doesn’t dry out (the macaroni will pull the moisture out). Thaw overnight in the fridge.
Pull it out of the fridge about 30 minutes before baking. You can stir in more milk or broth at this point if it looks dry, then bake as usual.
Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container, then pop them in the microwave to reheat. Or heat it in a saucepan over medium, add a tablespoon or two of milk, and stir it until heated through and creamy. Add more milk if it’s too dry.
What Enjoys Being With Any Mac and Cheese
This luxury mac and cheese version goes wonderfully with Southern fried chicken and a fresh tossed salad. Or take advantage of having the oven on and roast some potatoes and carrots to go with.
More Immaculate Side Dishes to Try
This blog post was originally published in April 2024 and has been updated with additional tips and gorgeous photos.