My mom always made Ina Garten’s Grown Up Mac & Cheese every year at Thanksgiving! Decided to make my own version this year and DANG IS IT GOOD! You can use any variety of cheeses but the blend of gouda and cheddar is UNREAL. Let me know if you try it out!
Ingredients:
-2 cups dry pasta (I used elbow)
-1 1/2 cups whole milk
-1 1/2 cup gouda, shredded (I use Old Amsterdam)
-1 1/2 cup extra sharp white cheddar, shredded (I used Cabot)
-2 tbsp unsalted butter
-2 tbsp all-purpose flour
-1/2 crumbled bacon, or 3-4 slices (I used Belcampo, it’s our favorite meat & you can use the code RADIANCE10 for 10% off!)
-1 tsp sea salt
-1/4 tsp paprika
-1/4 tsp black pepper
-pinch of nutmeg
-1/2 cup panko or breadcrumbs
Directions:
Preheat oven to 400F degrees. Place bacon on a baking rack over a baking sheet (with sides) and bake for 15-20 minutes until bacon is crispy. When it’s done, place bacon on a plate lined with paper towels and let cool completely before crumbling.
Cook pasta according to directions on the box to make al dente. Drain and set aside. In a medium saucepan, heat milk, butter, and flour. Stir with a whisk and heat but don’t boil. Take it off the heat, and add in the gouda, cheddar, paprika, salt, pepper & nutmeg. Add the pasta and bacon and mix until everything is combined.
Pour into a dish and sprinkle with panko. Bake in the oven for 35-40 minutes until it’s nice and brown! Enjoy!
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