Smoked Gouda, paprika and mustard make this mac and cheese really pop
Prep Time5 minutesmins
Cook Time40 minutesmins
Total Time45 minutesmins
Course: Main Course
Keyword: gluten-free, main courses, winter recipes
Servings: 8
Ingredients
12-16ouncesmacaroni (see note)
1red bell pepper, diced
½cup(1 stick) butter
5tablespoonsgluten-free flour
4cups(1 quart) whole milk
¾cupcream
2teaspoonssalt
2tablespoonsdijon mustard
1teaspoonpaprika
¼teaspoonnutmeg
1lbsmoked gouda, roughly grated
2cans solid tuna packed in oil
Parsley, for garnish
Squeeze of lemon
Instructions
Prepare macaroni according to package directions, taking extra care not to overcook. Pasta should be cooked al dente, or slightly chewy.
Drain pasta and add bell pepper to colander, tossing to mix. Set aside. Bell pepper will soften slightly but maintain its crunch.
For the roux, melt butter in large saucepan over medium-low heat. Sprinkle flour in a couple tablespoons at a time, whisking constantly. Continue whisking and cook about 4 minutes, until mixture is golden-brown.
Slowly add in milk and cream, whisking constantly. Bring to a low boil over medium-high, still stirring. Reduce to a simmer, cooking about 3 more minutes, until sauce is thick and coats the back of a spoon.
Stir in salt, mustard, paprika and nutmeg.
Now, add cheese in batches, waiting until one batch melts before adding more. Continue stirring and adding cheese until it’s gone. Taste your sauce and add more seasonings if necessary. Remove from heat.
Carefully stir in macaroni, bell peppers and tuna until ingredients are mixed well. Serve, garnishing with parsley and a squeeze of lemon.
Notes
I used a 12-ounce bag of macaroni and found that I had about ¾ cup of bechamel left. I am not one to skimp on sauce, but there was definitely leftover bechamel, enough for a few extra ounces of macaroni.