Description
This Smoked Gouda Gnocchi Mac and Cheese is a creamy, smoky twist on the classic comfort dish. Featuring pillowy gnocchi and a luscious cheese sauce made with smoked Gouda, cheddar, and Parmesan, this recipe offers a rich and flavorful meal perfect for any cheese lover. The dish is cooked on the stovetop for a quick and satisfying weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Gnocchi
- 2 packages of gnocchi (about 16-18 oz total)
Cheese Sauce
- 1 cup vegetable broth, divided
- 2 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1/2 cup half & half
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1 1/4 cup smoked Gouda, shredded
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
Instructions
- Cook the Gnocchi: Prepare the gnocchi according to the package instructions. Once cooked, drain the gnocchi well and set it aside while you prepare the cheese sauce.
- Make Cornstarch Slurry: In a small bowl, mix 1/4 cup of the vegetable broth with the cornstarch. Stir thoroughly to dissolve the cornstarch completely with no lumps, then set this mixture aside.
- Shred Cheeses: Shred the smoked Gouda, cheddar, and Parmesan cheeses and set them aside to have them ready for melting into the sauce.
- Heat Liquids: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the remaining 3/4 cup vegetable broth, half & half, and whole milk. Stir occasionally and bring the mixture just to a simmer.
- Thicken Sauce: Slowly whisk in the cornstarch slurry into the simmering milk mixture. Keep whisking continuously until the sauce thickens and begins to boil. Allow the boiling for about 2 minutes while stirring constantly to prevent the sauce from sticking or burning.
- Add Cheeses and Season: Turn off the heat and immediately add all the shredded Gouda, cheddar, and Parmesan cheeses to the thickened sauce. Stir until the cheeses are fully melted and the sauce is smooth. Season with black pepper and salt to taste, adjusting as needed.
- Combine Gnocchi and Sauce: Add the cooked gnocchi into the cheese sauce. Gently fold and stir until every piece is thoroughly coated in the creamy, smoky cheese sauce.
- Serve Warm: Serve the smoked Gouda gnocchi mac and cheese hot for the best creamy and flavorful experience. Enjoy your comforting and indulgent meal!
Notes
- Use freshly shredded cheese rather than pre-shredded for a smoother sauce.
- Adjust salt and pepper to your preference, as cheeses can vary in saltiness.
- If the sauce becomes too thick, stir in a splash of milk or broth to loosen it.
- To add a crunchy topping, consider broiling the finished dish with breadcrumbs for a few minutes (optional step not included in the main recipe).
- This recipe is vegetarian as it contains no meat or meat byproducts.
