This is my baked Macaroni and Cheese, dressed up just a bit with a few additions. This is creamy and delicious and the addition of bacon is never a bad thing! I used Gouda, Cheddar and Parmesan cheeses in this and it was so creamy and good. The bacon gives it a nice smoky flavor.
Overall, this is a bit lighter sauce than my other traditional recipe. Everybody loved this! I served it for a side dish, but you could serve it as a main course also. Here is what you need:
Overall, this is a bit lighter sauce than my other traditional recipe. Everybody loved this! I served it for a side dish, but you could serve it as a main course also. Here is what you need:
2 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked
6 Tbs. butter, divided
3 Tbs. flour
3 cups milk
2 cups shredded Gouda cheese
3 cups shredded Cheddar cheese, divided
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1 tsp. Creole seasoning ( I used Tony Chachere)
1/2 tsp. black pepper
6-7 slices of bacon, cooked crisp
Cook the macaroni in salted water according to the package directions and drain well. After it's drained place it back in the pan off of the heat and add half of the butter to melt. I like to cook the pasta the full recommended time for baked macaroni and cheese, because if you leave it al dente, it will take in the sauce and be dry.
Now to make the cheese sauce, I do this in the microwave, because it's much easier. You can do it on the stove top though. Melt the other 3 tablespoons of butter in a glass mixing bowl in the microwave...about 1 minute. Whisk in the flour until smooth and microwave for 30 seconds.
Add the three cups milk and whisk again. Microwave for about 3 minutes. Remove and whisk until smooth. Add the 2 cups of Gouda cheese, 2 cups of Cheddar cheese, and 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese. Add the Creole seasoning and black pepper. Microwave for another 3 minutes.
Whisk until smooth. This should be thickened at this point. If it seems too thin, microwave for another minute or two.
Add the three cups milk and whisk again. Microwave for about 3 minutes. Remove and whisk until smooth. Add the 2 cups of Gouda cheese, 2 cups of Cheddar cheese, and 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese. Add the Creole seasoning and black pepper. Microwave for another 3 minutes.
Whisk until smooth. This should be thickened at this point. If it seems too thin, microwave for another minute or two.
Pour the sauce over the macaroni and mix to coat it all. Spray a 2.5 to 3 quart baking dish with nonstick spray.
Pour the macaroni and cheese into the dish and sprinkle the top with the other 1 cup of cheddar cheese. Place in a 350 degree oven and bake for about 30 minutes or until bubbly around the edges. Crumble the bacon and sprinkle over the top!
Pour the macaroni and cheese into the dish and sprinkle the top with the other 1 cup of cheddar cheese. Place in a 350 degree oven and bake for about 30 minutes or until bubbly around the edges. Crumble the bacon and sprinkle over the top!
This was a big hit with my family and it's a great side dish with most anything!
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