Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese for #SundayFunday

Welcome to #SundayFunday! Wendy from A Day In The Life on The Farm invited fellow bloggers to kick back, relax, and share something tasty and fun each weekend. "Sunday should be a Family Funday. Please join us in sharing recipes that will help you to enjoy your Sunday." If you're a blogger interested in joining us, just visit our Facebook group and request to join!

Today our #SundayFunday group is hosted by Stacy from Food, Lust, People, Love; she said "I'm hosting this event and it just happens to be my birthday today! Share whatever dish you'd bring to share if you were invited to a birthday party potluck: appetizers, cocktails, main courses, soups, salads, desserts, etc. I am looking forward to a virtual festive feast!" 

See all of our celebratory dishes!

• Bhagar Rice from The Mad Scientist’s Kitchen
• Borage Sparklers, Both Boozy and Not from Culinary Adventures with Camilla
• Burmese-style Bean Thread Noodle Salad from Food Lust People Love
• Cheeseburger Sliders with Homemade Slider Buns from Karen’s Kitchen Stories
• Eggless Gajar Halwa Cake - Carrot Halwa Cake from Sneha’s Recipe
• Four Cheese Ravioli Skillet from A Day in the Life on the Farm
• French Macarons from Amy’s Cooking Adventures
• Greek Feta Spread (Kopanisti) from Palatable Pastime
• Maple Panna Cotta With Roasted Figs from Mayuri’s Jikoni
• Tandoori Aloo Platter from Sizzling Tastebuds

This is an easy go-to macaroni and cheese recipe in my house; I love the flavor of smoked gouda and it lends itself to a wonderfully simple and lightly flavored side dish. This is perfect alongside just about everything from holiday meals, to BBQ, to just stick a fork in it and call it a meal. Definitely appropriate for a birthday celebration! 

Join us in wishing Stacy a happy birthday, and get some inspiration to all the tasty dishes the group is sharing today!

Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese

Ingredients

8-oz elbow macaroni pasta

3 TBS butter

3 TBS flour

2 cups milk

3 cups shredded smoked gouda cheese, divided use

1 tsp salt (more / less to taste)

1 tsp black pepper (more / less to taste)

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees, and spray a 2-quart baking dish with nonstick cooking spray; set aside.
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook noodles to al dente, per package directions (about 10-12 minutes). Drain, return to the pot, and set aside.
3. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large nonstick skillet and then whisk the flour in. Whisk mixture and allow to cook for about a minute.
4. Slowly whisk in the milk until fully incorporated, bring to a low simmer and allow to thicken slightly. Add in 2 cups of the shredded cheese, and salt and pepper (start with about 1 tsp each, or less if you typically like lighter seasoning). Once the cheese has fully melted into the sauce, taste and adjust the seasonings if desired.
5. Pour the cheese sauce over the drained noodles in the pot, and stir gently to combine. Pour the macaroni and cheese mixture into the prepared baking dish, sprinkle remaining shredded cheese over the top. Bake in the oven for 20-30 minutes, until casserole is lightly bubbly and cheese is fully melted and lightly golden.
6. Allow to set for 5-10 minutes, then serve.