I love Trader Joe’s Parmesan Gouda so much I just had to figure out a way to incorporate it into my other favorite (besides a grilled cheese sandwich) Macaroni & Cheese!
A couple of trials later, finally a dish I can serve to guests!
Bacon-Gouda Macaroni & Cheese
Ingredients:
- 16oz Cavatappi pasta (it’s very important to use the right pasta)
- 8-10 Slices thick cut bacon (from the butcher)
- 2 1/4 cup skim milk
- 1/4 C butter (4 TBLS) melted
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 2 tsp fresh ground kosher salt
- 1 tsp fresh cracked black pepper
- 1/2 tsp dry mustard
- 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 16 oz Trader Joe’s Parmesan-Gouda cheese, shredded
- 1/2 lb sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 Sleeve Crushed Ritz Crackers
- 1/4 C butter (4 TBLS) melted
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F
- Butter a 13″ X 9″ Pyrex Baking Pan
- Prepare Cavatappi according to package directions. Drain and pour into a large mixing bowl – cover with foil to keep pasta warm.
- Cook bacon until crispy but not overcooked. Drain, cool, crumble and set aside.
- Melt butter and whisk flour into it
- In large pot heat milk to nearly boiling.
- Reduce heat to medium and stir in flour/butter mixture. Whisk vigorously over medium heat for 1-2 minutes. Mixture should be thick and boiling.
- Slowly whisk in cream.
- Add in salt, pepper, mustard and Worcestershire sauce.
- Reduce heat to low and continue to stir for about 5 minutes.
- Remove from heat and stir in shredded Parmesan-Gouda and Cheddar cheeses until completely melted.
- Pour sauce over cooked pasta in large mixing bowl.
- Add in 3/4 of the crumbled bacon. Combine using a rubber spatula.
- Transfer to prepared Pyrex baking dish.
- Combine the sleeve of crushed Ritz crackers and remaining crumbled bacon with the remaining 4 TBLS of melted butter. Sprinkle over pasta in Pyrex baking dish.
- Bake uncovered in a 375 degree oven for 25-30 minutes.
It’s rich, so a small side salad would be great alongside, or even nothing at all. Except, of course, a glass of wine. 😉
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