Gouda Macaroni and Cheese

It cheese time, and my Gouda Macaroni and Cheese is delicious! This recipe is a request made by my Facebook Foodie Friends!

Don't forget you still have time to enter the Slap Ya Mama Giveaway (entry below)!

When you blend a mixture of Gouda, Sharp Cheddar, Jack, and Parmigiano Reggiano Cheeses, you've just created a big bowl of cheesy goodness! 

I used large elbow macaroni, if you use elbow macaroni don't forget you only use 1/2 a pound. If you use a penne then a 1 pound box is perfect.

Cook pasta for 6 minutes, it will finish cooking as it bakes!

After whipping up my creamy cheese sauce spiced just right with Slap Ya Mama Seasonings, I folded in the cook pasta, placed everything in a casserole dish and topped it with more cheese, and dots of butter if you dare!

Bake for 30 minutes, then sprinkle with green onions if desired.

You can also prepare everything in advance and bake the following day.

Cheesy Goodness and it's time to EAT!
 
Gouda Macaroni and Cheese

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 6

Ingredients:

1/2 lb. large elbow macaroni
2 cups Gouda cheese, grated
2 cups sharp cheese, grated
1 cup jack cheese, grated
1/2 cup parmigiano reggiano cheese, grated
1 1/2 cups whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoon butter
2 tablespoon olive oil
4 tablespoons flour
1 tablespoon Slap Ya Mama Seasoning
1 tablespoon black pepper
1/2 tablespoon garlic powder
1/2 tablespoon onion powder
pinch of cayenne pepper
1/2 white onion, minced
2 cloves garlic, minced
extra virgin olive oil
extra butter
green onions to garnish

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350. Grease a medium size oven proof casserole dish and set aside. 

Mix seasoning blend and set aside. Bring a large pot of salted water to boil.

Add pasta, cook 6 minutes, remove pasta, drain, rinse in warm water, drain again, coat in about 2 tablespoons of olive oil and set aside.

Mix cheeses together, reserve 1 1/2 cup of cheese for topping.

In a pan add butter and olive oil over medium heat, add onion and cook for about 5 minutes, add about 1 tablespoon of seasoning blend and garlic and cook 1 minute more.

Add heavy cream and milk, whisking well over medium, low heat. Add 1 tablespoon of seasoning blend and mix well.

Whisk cheese into pot by the hand full, whisking after each addition until cheese has melted. Add remaining seasoning blend to cheese sauce and whisk well. Cook about 5 minutes, whisking well. Add more whole milk if desired to thin slightly, up to 1/2 cupful.

Fold cooked pasta into cheese sauce, place into greased casserole dish, top with remaining cheese and dot the top with about 2 tablespoons of diced butter if desired, and bake at 375 degrees for about 30 minutes, top with green onion if desired.