Gouda & White Cheddar Mac and Cheese

"Macaroni and cheese is such a Harlem staple that we knew we had to make ours special. Alexander has always done his with rosemary, which gives it a nice earthy flavor. We threw in caramelized shallots for sweetness and texture. Rosemary and shallots are both such simple adds, but also unexpected. We think this will be your new favorite mac."

- JJ Johnson

Welcome to our kitchen! This gouda and white cheddar mac and cheese recipe is the ultimate comfort food with an upscale feel. If your kids like mac and cheese as much as mine do, they'll love this white cheese mac and cheese.

Learn more about cooking with kids.

If you like this recipe, you'll love Chef JJ's jollof rice, braised oxtail, Afro-Asian-American gumbo, New Year's Day rice and peas, Persian shrimp with rice, Cuban beans and rice, Costa Rican beans and rice, piri piri sauce, and Mother Africa sauce.

Jump to:

• Between Harlem and Heaven
• Braised Oxtails
• Family & Kid's Cooking Resources
• Food from Around the World: Free Cooking Lessons
• How to Make Gouda & White Cheddar Mac and Cheese
• Top Tip
• Heat the Cream
• Mac and Cheese
• Free Gouda & White Cheddar Mac and Cheese Recipe
• Montessori Continent Boxes
• Gouda & White Cheddar Mac and Cheese

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Between Harlem and Heaven

This Afro-Asian-American Gumbo recipe comes from Between Harlem and Heaven: Afro-Asian-American Cooking for Big Nights, Weeknights, and Every Day by JJ Johnson, Alexander Smalls, and Veronica Chambers.

In Between Harlem and Heaven, JJ Johnson shares the experiences that serve as the inspiration behind his dishes and the process he uses to fuel the endless creativity found in his work:

I've cooked in Ghana and Israel, down South and in Singapore. I grew up in an African diaspora household and I have this formal culinary education. So I look to create dishes that express who I am at a really high level. You take a bite and you have sweet and tangy and crunchy and sour - ingredients you may recognize on a menu but haven't had together like this before.

I start with the question "How can I make this fun?" So I put the oxtail meat that I grew up eating in a dumpling wrapper. Then I serve the oxtail dumplings in a bowl with a beautiful green apple curry. I'm like a DJ who loves the mash-up: egg rolls filled with barbecue brisket and edamame, udon noodles with goat meat and West African peanut sauce, roast fish with hominy stew and homemade kimchi. Flavors upon flavors upon flavors.

- JJ Johnson

We think his Spiked Rosemary Mac and Cheese is the ultimate New Year's comfort food for the whole family.

But you can enjoy it anytime. Try it with the braised oxtails for the ultimate pairing.

In his latest cookbook, The Simple Art of Rice: Recipes from Around the World for the Heart of Your Table, Chef JJ explores the role of rice throughout history and across cultures.

Stop by our shop to see more Family & Kids' Cooking Resources.

Learn more about allergies and your family.

How to Make Gouda & White Cheddar Mac and Cheese

Ingredients

• salt
• pasta - Chef JJ uses penne rigate pasta for this recipe but you can use your favorite short pasta for this mac and cheese
• oil - we used olive oil for this recipe
• shallots
• cream - you'll want heavy cream for the creamiest mac and cheese
• white cheddar cheese
• Gouda cheese - this recipe calls for smoked Gouda cheese. We've tried Gouda that isn't smoked and it's just not the same
• rosemary
• black pepper

Equipment

• apron
• prep bowls
• child-friendly knife
• butcher block
• measuring spoons
• measuring cup
• kitchen scale
• box grater
• stock pot + pasta insert
• carbon steel pan
• saucier
• whisk
• wooden spoon
• baking dish

Boil the Pasta

Wash your hands with soap and water. Add 4 quarts of water to a stock pot and bring to a boil over high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of salt and the pasta. Cook according to the directions on the package for al dente pasta.

Drain the water when finished and turn off the burner. Set the pasta aside. I will sometimes add a little olive oil to the pasta if I know it's going to sit for a bit, just to keep it from sticking together in the meantime.

Grate the Cheeses & Chop the Rosemary

While the pasta is cooking, grate the cheeses with the box grater and chop the rosemary using a knife and cutting board. Use a kitchen scale as needed to weigh the ingredients.

Cook the Shallots

Turn the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Combine the oil, shallots, and 1 teaspoon of salt in a pan over low heat. Chef JJ says to cook the shallots until they begin to fall apart and caramelize, 20 to 30 minutes. Turn off the stove and set aside.

Heat the Cream

Add the cream to a saucepan and bring to a low simmer over medium heat. Make sure the cream does not boil.

Add the Cheeses & Rosemary

Add the cheeses to the pan. Give it a stir. Add the rosemary.

Use a whisk to stir the sauce while it cooks for 2 to 3 minutes. The sauce should be melted and smooth. Remove from heat and turn off the stove. Use a whisk to stir in the pepper and remaining salt.

Add the Cooked Pasta & Shallots

Add the pasta and shallots to the pan. Give it a stir.

Bake for 30 to 35 Minutes

Pour the mac and cheese into a greased or nonstick baking dish and bake for 30 to 35 minutes. This white cheese mac and cheese will be golden brown and bubbly.

Turn off the oven.

Free Gouda & White Cheddar Mac and Cheese Recipe