Since you asked so nicely …
Here’s the recipe for the kick-ass awesomeness that was the macaroni & cheese the BFF and I made. It’s really simple and pretty easy to construct once you get it going. Plus it’s super tasty and looks way impressive, which will always earn you points.
Smoked Gouda Macaroni and Cheese
Ingredients
* 1 (1-ounce) slice whole wheat bread (this is for the bread crumbs, but we just used this stuff, which is seasoned and made especially for creating a crust, like in this recipe. Done and done.)
* 1 tablespoon butter
* 1/4 cup thinly sliced green onions
* 2 garlic cloves, minced
* 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
* 2 cups fat-free milk
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
* 1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded smoked Gouda cheese
* 1/3 cup (about 1 1/2 ounces) grated fresh Parmesan cheese
* 5 cups coarsely chopped fresh spinach
* 4 cups hot cooked elbow macaroni (about 2 cups uncooked)
* Cooking spray
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350°.
Place bread in a food processor, and pulse 10 times or until coarse crumbs measure 1/2 cup.
Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onions and garlic; cook 1 minute. Add flour; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Gradually add milk, salt, and pepper, stirring constantly with a whisk until blended. Bring to a boil; cook until thick (about 2 minutes). Add cheeses; stir until melted.
Mmm, sauce.
Add spinach and macaroni to cheese sauce, stirring until well blended. Spoon mixture into a 2-quart baking dish coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle with breadcrumbs. Bake at 350° for 15 minutes or until bubbly.
I forgot to take a pre-oven pic, so this is just an oven pic.
I was going to take a post-oven pic too, but we uh … well, okay. It was a melee. We were taste testing and dishing it up and I forgot, okay? And anyway, the post-oven pic would have been of me licking the plate and maybe chewing on the fork. But take my word for it: it is delish. The garlic with the smoked Gouda gives it a nice little bite.
February 16th, 2010 at 7:41 am
MMMMMMM Sounds totally delish! Too bad we are apparently going on a diet! Maybe I can make this on a cheat night??…I’m thinking so!!
Butch Crocker strikes again!
February 20th, 2010 at 10:49 am
BD: It’s actually not that unhealthy of a recipe … it uses skim milk and just a moderate amount of cheese. Plus, SPINACH. Doesn’t that automatically make everything healthier?
February 16th, 2010 at 8:53 am
oh, my, that looks heavenly! i am such a sucker for gourmet mac-n-cheese, but i’m still looking for the “right” one – this might be it (i’m thinking the gouda will add the appropriate creamy awesome that is sometimes lacking in the fancy versions – plus, veg!).
February 20th, 2010 at 11:37 am
Lady Brett: It was amazing. It’s gourmet, but so easy to make. Let me know what you think, if you do end up trying it.
February 16th, 2010 at 9:22 am
What a yummy recipe. We will be tryig this the next time the Medic comes home…..with a few substitutions. No bread crumbs and gluten free noodles.
I also do a medly of cheeses – smoked gouda, smoked chedder, fontina and jack maybe.
Thanks for the inspiration!
February 20th, 2010 at 11:49 am
Kathrin: Let me know how it goes with your substitutions. And to that medley of cheeses: yes, please.
February 16th, 2010 at 10:08 am
Awesome! I made for a Christmas gift a meal composed of three types of mac-n-cheese for @pinkypunky. Gouda! Spinach! Fantastic.
Also, which flavor “crusting blend” did you use?
– D
February 20th, 2010 at 11:50 am
Dig: That might be one of the best Christmas gifts I’ve ever heard of. Seriously. I want that for my St. Patrick’s gift.
I used the Italian Herb & Cheese blend, which worked out really well.
February 17th, 2010 at 1:44 pm
Your blog has been nominated in the Best Lesbian Personal Blog category for a Lezzy Award. The Lezzy Awards are an all lesbian blog award hosted by The Lesbian Lifestyle Blog. For more information on the awards and the steps that you should take to make it to the voting round please visit http://thelesbianlifestyle.com/the-rules/
February 17th, 2010 at 10:58 pm
how exciting :)
February 28th, 2010 at 2:28 pm
Tried this recipe and absolutely LOVED it. Thanks for sharing.
February 28th, 2010 at 10:50 pm
Mel: I’m so glad you liked it! That reminds me, I have a dessert recipe I’ve been meaning to post …