Smoky Gouda & Roasted Garlic Baked Mac and Cheese

This is not your average boxed mac — we're talking a velvety, from-scratch cheese sauce built on smoky gouda and a whole head of roasted garlic that melts right in. The roasted garlic adds this deep, almost sweet savoriness that makes every bite feel like a warm hug. Top it with buttery breadcrumbs and a little smoked paprika, and you've got a weeknight dinner that feels genuinely special.

✨ An original recipe written by AI — not kitchen-tested, so trust your taste on seasoning & timing.

Ingredients

• 1 head garlic, roasted
• 12 oz elbow macaroni
• 3 tbsp unsalted butter
• 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 2 1/2 cups whole milk
• 2 cups smoked gouda, shredded
• 1/2 cup sharp cheddar, shredded
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1/2 tsp salt and black pepper to taste

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Slice the top off the garlic head, drizzle with olive oil, wrap in foil, and roast for 35 minutes until soft and golden. Squeeze out the cloves and mash into a paste.
2. Cook macaroni in salted boiling water until just under al dente, about 1 minute less than package directions. Drain and set aside.
3. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter then whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute until it smells nutty.
4. Slowly pour in the milk while whisking constantly. Cook 4-5 minutes until the sauce thickens enough to coat a spoon.
5. Remove from heat and stir in the mashed roasted garlic, gouda, cheddar, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy.
6. Fold in the cooked pasta and pour everything into a greased 9x13 baking dish. Top evenly with panko breadcrumbs and a light drizzle of olive oil.
7. Bake at 375°F for 20 minutes until the top is golden and the edges are bubbling. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.

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