Smoked Gouda Macaroni and Cheese

It’s amazing I’m blogging right now because I don’t feel that hot but I feel that I’ve been slacking so here I am, checking in. It’s been a busy weekend. On Friday morning I drove up to Maine. Yesterday afternoon I drove back down to Boston and today I have been doing homework and napping intermittently (and hopefully kicking whatever this is to the curb). All that doesn’t mean I have neglected eating, how ridiculous!

I picked up this smoked Gouda at Trader Joe’s last weekend and have been trying to decide what I wanted to make with it. On a day like today, comfort food sounded ideal so I used it to make a quick and easy macaroni and cheese.

{Smoked Gouda Mac & Cheese}

serves 4

• 8 oz. whole wheat shells (or any other short pasta of your choice)
• 2 oz. smoked gouda (grated)
• 1 T butter
• 1-2 T ap flour
• salt & pepper to taste
• 1 shallot, chopped finely
• 1 1/4 c plain, unsweetened almond milk (or cow’s milk)
• couple dashes of garlic powder
• 1/4 whole wheat panko crumbs

Pre-heat oven to 375. Spray baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Boil water for pasta. Cook pasta according to package directions.

While the pasta is cooking, begin your roux. Melt butter and add 1 T of ap flour. Slowly add in milk. If roux isn’t thickening, add in more flour up to 1 T. Season with salt and pepper. Add in garlic powder and chopped shallot. Remove from heat and whisk in grated cheese until melted.

Add pasta to baking dish. Pour cheese mixture over pasta and stir to ensure pasta is evenly coated. Sprinkle top with panko.

Cook in pre-heated oven for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool for a few minutes before serving.

Though this is extremely filling, I am craving dessert. But I think I’ll abstain given how iffy I’ve been feeling today. I’m attempting to quell the urge right now by burning this new candle I picked up today.

It smells delicious. Highly recommend. Pumpkin buttercream sounds like everything my dreams are made of. Alright, I’m back to the books.

Hope everyone had a great weekend!