Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese

This Smoked Gouda Pasta Mac and Cheese Bake with portobello mushrooms is a blissfully creamy mixture of cheese sauce, rich mushrooms, and hearty pasta that's oven-baked to golden perfection.  It's a dream team combination of flavors that is easy enough for a weekday dinner but could easily star on your holiday table.

Love cheesy pasta? Also, try my Crock Pot Mac and Cheese, Creamy Greek Yogurt Mac and Cheese, and Baked Goat Cheese Pasta.

Smoked Gouda Pasta Mac and Cheese Bake Recipe

This Smoked Gouda Pasta Mac and Cheese Bake is rich, creamy, bold, and nothing short of delicious.  It's really comfort food at its finest.  This rich, creamy, and cheesy dish is so unexpected and delicious that it's a hit with kids and adults.

Move over, Kraft and Velvetta, this elevated Mac and Cheese or pasta bake, depending on what you want to call it, is a total class act.  We're talking smoked gouda cheese, fresh thyme, portobello mushrooms, and fancy cavatappi pasta.... all oven-baked to golden perfection.  If you are looking for a pasta bake that gives dinner party vibes, this is it.

This rich and creamy pasta bake comes together with its own creamy cheese sauce that is to-die-for!

The best part about it is that you can easily make this in around 30 minutes for a weekday dinner or save it for your holiday table!  I'd venture to say this would be a hit at Easter, Thanksgiving, or Christmas.  It could easily serve as both a side dish AND a main course for vegetarians.

Why You'll Love This Smoked Gouda Pasta Mac & Cheese Bake...

• SMOKED GOUDA! I mean, really... is there a better cheese out there? The flavor elevates the entire Smoked Gouda Pasta Mac and Cheese dish.  If you aren't familiar with Gouda cheese, read my tips below.
• Hearty mushrooms make it more of a rounded meal.
• You can use whatever type of short pasta makes you happy... macaroni, penne, or cavatappi are all options.
• Although this recipe is a little longer and more hands-on than most of mine, it still comes together in around 30 minutes, making it great for any  occasion.

What does Gouda taste like?

If you haven't tried smoked Gouda yet, it's a rich and creamy cheese with a nutty and slightly smoky flavor.  It's a sharp cheese and is very rich.  It's perfect for a Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese.

I often find it near the deli section of the grocery store in a block.  You'll most likely need to shred it yourself, which honestly leads to a creamier final product.

If you are having trouble finding it, other similar cheeses are smoked mozzarella, Havarti, or sharp cheddar cheese.

Ingredients:

Here's what you'll need to make Smoked Gouda Pasta Bake.

• Pasta: I used cavatappi for my pasta bake, but you can use any type of short pasta, including traditional elbow macaroni or penne pasta.  Cavatappi pasta is the small corkscrew kind in the photos.  If you can't find it in your grocery store, you can find it on Amazon here or here.
• Butter: Although I don't cook with butter a lot, it's pretty useful to bring richness and the roux for the cheese sauce in this recipe.  Have 2 tablespoons on hand, divided into 1 tablespoon segments.  You can use salted or unsalted butter.
• Shallot: The subtle flavor of one shallot adds a lot of depth to this recipe.  Dice it up into small pieces, so you don't have big chunks of it in your pasta.  If you don't have shallot, you can use onions.
• Garlic: Garlic brings out the flavors in the shallots and mushrooms.
• Portobello Mushrooms: I love adding some rich and meaty sauteed mushrooms to my mac and cheese.  It makes the dish more of a meal.
• Thyme: Fresh thyme pairs perfectly with the mushrooms and rich, smoky cheese.  I love the fresh herbs in this, but if you can't get that you can substitute ¼ tablespoon dried thyme.
• Milk: Milk helps you make the rich and creamy cheese sauce.  Use whatever type you have on hand that fits your diet.  Either whole milk or 2% can work.  If you really want to make this indulgent, you can even use heavy cream.
• All-purpose flour: To make the cheese sauce, you will need to combine the flour and butter to make a roux.
• Smoked Gouda: Smoked Gouda often comes in a wheel and will need to be shredded by hand.
• Italian Cheese Mix: I shortcut this part and use pre-mixed shredded Italian Cheese.  If you want to shred your own, use a mixture of mozzarella or sharp white cheddar cheese.  Anything white will work.
• Kosher Salt & Black Pepper
• Garnish: Fresh parsley or thyme.

Instructions:

Here's how to make my Smoked Gouda Pasta Bake.  It's a few more steps than my typical recipes, but it's worth it!

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and spray a 9 x 13 baking dish with cooking spray.  I like to use this one that has a lid for easy storage.
2. Cook the pasta according to package directions, in a large pot of salted water, for one minute less than the box says, until it's just shy of al dente. It will continue to cook in the oven. Drain the pasta and keep the large pot handy to cook the cheese sauce in.
3. While the pasta is cooking, you'll cook the vegetables and cheese sauce. In a large non-stick skillet or large saucepan, over medium heat. Add the butter and saute the shallot for about 2 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for just 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the mushroom and thyme to the pan and stir well. Cook for 5-7 minutes or until the mushrooms are tender. If the pan needs a bit of moisture, add a tablespoon or two of pasta water. Remove from the heat and set aside.
   
4.  In the same pot you made the pasta in, melt the second tablespoon of butter over medium heat.  Add the flour to the pan and cook until a roux forms by whisking the two together.  While whisking, pour the milk into the pan over the roux.  Keep stirring with the whisk until the sauce begins to thicken and you have a thick cream.  That should take 3-5 minutes.  That's the base for your cheese sauce.
5. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the grated smoked Gouda and Italian Cheese Mix.  Add salt and pepper to taste.  Add a splash of milk, if needed.
6. Pour the Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese into the pan, smoothing out the top. Sprinkle the last ¼ cup of Italian Cheese mix on top.
7. Bake for 15-20 minutes.  The before and after baking photos are demonstrated below.

Tips & Variations

Here are some tips, tricks, and variations to make the perfect Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese.

• Roux Tips: To make the roux, make sure the butter has completely melted in the pan.  Add the flour and keep whisking.  Cook for about 60-90 seconds before adding the milk slowly.  Don't stop whisking!  Don't forget to remove the pan from the heat BEFORE adding the shredded cheese.
• Make it Plain: You can make this into plain or more basic Smoked Gouda Mac & Cheese by leaving out the entire step with the shallot, garlic, and portobello mushrooms.   Just use one pot to boil the noodles, and then make the cheese sauce and stir it all together.  Instead of thyme, add more traditional dry mustard to the cheese sauce.
• Add More Veggies: You can also swap out the mushrooms for other vegetables like peas, broccoli, tomatoes, spinach, or carrots!
• Make it Stovetop: You can make this a stovetop recipe by leaving out the final steps where you transfer the macaroni and cheese into a pan and bake it.
• Add a Topping: You can add a crunchy topping by combining panko bread crumbs and grated Parmesan cheese.  Sprinkle it on top for a delicious topping.
• Add Meat: If you eat meat, you can add bacon or diced chicken to this.
• Modify it for Your Diet: You can make this gluten-free, whole wheat, or lower-carb by changing out the appropriate pasta noodles.  You can also use protein pasta for added protein.

FAQ

How do I store leftovers?

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.  This is great for reheating in the microwave.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes! Although it's best made fresh, this dish reheats well in the oven.  Make it up until you bake it and store it in the fridge until time to finish it off.

Can I freeze it?

Yes, this freezes well in a freezer container.  Store up to three months.

Is Gouda cheese good in pasta?

YES! The rich flavor of Gouda pairs perfectly with pasta and elevates your basic cheese sauce into something special.  It melts well and is also a good melting cheese for pasta.

This CHEESY Smoked Gouda Pasta Bake Mac and Cheese is Addictive!

This Cheesy Smoked Gouda Pasta Mac and Cheese Bake is nothing short of addictive.  From the creamy sauce to meaty mushrooms, you can't go wrong with these flavors and textures.

Give it a try and I promise you will love it! Better yet, make it for Easter, and everyone will be raving about your FANCY pants Mac and Cheese.

Serve it with:

• Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Butternut Squash
• Kale Caesar Salad
• Garlic Parmesan Roasted Asparagus
• Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Garlic
• Maple Glazed Carrots
• Oven Roasted Green Beans with Garlic
• Asparagus and Tomato Salad with Feta
• Avocado Caprese Salad

More Mac & Cheese Recipes to Try:

• No Boil Crock Pot Mac and Cheese
• Greek Yogurt Mac and Cheese
• Creamy Hidden Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

If you make this Smoked Gouda Pasta Mac & Cheese recipe, I’d love to hear what you think! Leave a comment and a star rating ★ below. Make sure to follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook too!

Smoked Gouda Pasta Mac & Cheese Bake

Julie Wunder

This Smoked Gouda Pasta Mac and Cheese Bake with portobello mushrooms is a blissfully creamy mixture of cheese sauce, rich mushrooms, and hearty pasta that's oven-baked to golden perfection.  It's a dream team combination of flavors that is easy enough for a weekday dinner but could easily star on your holiday table.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Course Dinner, Lunch

Cuisine American

Servings 8

Calories 313 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 16 ounces short pasta, cavatappi, macaroni, penne
• 2 tablespoon butter, divided
• 1 shallot, minced
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 16 ounces portobello mushrooms, sliced
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme
• 3 cups milk
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 8 ounces smoked gouda, shredded
• 1 ¼ cup Italian Cheese Mix, shredded & divided
• salt & pepper

Instructions

 

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and spray a 9x13 casserole dish with cooking spray.
• Cook the pasta according to package instructions, in salted water, for one minute less than the box says. It will continue to cook in the oven. Drain the pasta and keep the large pot handy.
• While the pasta is cooking you'll cook the vegetables and cheese sauce. In a large non-stick skillet, over medium heat. add the butter and sauté the shallot for about 2 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for just 30 seconds until fragrant.
• Add the mushroom and thyme to the pan and stir well. Cook for 5-7 minutes or until the mushrooms are tender. If the pan needs a bit of moisture, add a tablespoon or two of pasta water. Remove from the heat and set aside.
  
• In the same pot you made the pasta in, melt the second tablespoon of butter. over medium heat. Add the flour to the pan and cook until a roux forms, whisking the two together. While whisking, pour the milk into the pan. Stir constantly until you have a thick cream.
• Remove from the heat and stir in the shredded smoked gouda and 1 cup of the Italian Cheese Mix. Add salt and pepper to taste.
• To the cheese sauce add the cooked pasta (macaroni) and cooked mushroom mixture. Stir well and add salt and pepper if desired.
• Pour the smoked gouda macaroni and cheese into a pan, smoothing out the top. Sprinkle the remaining ¼ cup of Italian Cheese Mix on top.
  
• Bake for 15-20 minutes or until browned.
  

Notes

Store any leftover in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

 

Nutrition

Calories: 313kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 19gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 53mgSodium: 397mgPotassium: 453mgFiber: 2gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 551IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 420mgIron: 1mg

Keyword Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese, Smoked Gouda Pasta Bake

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