Texas-Style Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese with Crispy Bacon
Creamy macaroni and cheese with a smoky Gouda cheese blend, topped with crispy bacon for a decadent comfort food classic. This american-inspired pasta ready in about 65 minutes pairs elbow macaroni, smoked Gouda cheese, shredded, sharp cheddar cheese, shredded for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 780 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 8 oz elbow macaroni
- 1 cup smoked Gouda cheese, shredded
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 4 oz bacon
- 2 tbsp butter
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp paprika
Instructions
- Step 1: Cook 8 oz elbow macaroni in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente, about 8 minutes, then drain and set aside.
- Step 2: While macaroni cooks, cook 4 oz bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy, then remove and crumble, reserving 1 tbsp bacon fat.
- Step 3: In the same skillet, melt 2 tbsp butter and 1 tbsp reserved bacon fat over medium heat, then whisk in 3 tbsp all-purpose flour and cook for 1 minute until golden.
- Step 4: Slowly whisk in 2 cups milk and 1/2 tsp garlic powder, then simmer until thickened, about 5 minutes.
- Step 5: Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup shredded smoked Gouda, 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp paprika until melted and smooth.
- Step 6: Add the drained macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir until coated, then transfer to a baking dish. Top with crumbled bacon and bake at 375°F for 15 minutes until bubbly and golden.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Texas-Style Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese with Crispy Bacon take to make?
Total time is about 65 minutes (25 min prep + 40 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Texas-Style Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese with Crispy Bacon?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep elbow macaroni from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Texas-Style Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese with Crispy Bacon?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Texas-Style Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese with Crispy Bacon for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Texas-Style Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese with Crispy Bacon?
American pasta like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
