GRATED GOUDA CHEESE RECIPES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Spray a shallow 8x8 baking dish; set aside.
• Generously salt boiling water; add pasta. Cook, according to package instructions, until 2 minutes short of al dente.
• Drain pasta, rinse with cold water, drain and return to pot.
• While pasta is cooking, melt butter in a large saucepan over medium. Whisk in seasonings; then whisk in flour to form a thick paste.
• Slowly whisk in milk. Bring to a low boil; reduce heat to low, and simmer until sauce is thickened, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat.
• To baking dish, layering:.
• Add 1/2 of cooked macaroni. Add 1/2 of sauce, 1/2 of each cheese. Repeat and top with cheeses.
• Can be made several hours in advance, covered and refrigerated until time to bake.
• Bake covered for 15-20 minutes.
• Uncover and bake until topping is golden and sauce is bubbling, an additional 15-20 minutes.
• *If refrigerated, additional time may be needed until it is bubbly and slightly browned.
• Cool 5 minutes before serving.
• *Notes: I use a packet of G. Washington Golden seasoning instead of salt & pepper. If you can find it, it is a great universal seasoning for sauces.
• April 2012, EDIT TO ADD: if doubling this recipe, use only 5 tablespoons of flour and 6 cups of milk. If you do not, you run the risk of a not so creamy and somewhat dry end result. At times I have added a bit more milk than recommended because the under cooked macaroni will absorb some of the milk. IMO a little creamier is better than too dry.

Steps:

• Combine cream cheese, mayonnaise, Dijon, adobo, and black pepper in the bowl of an electric mixer. Mix it until totally combined (if you have a few lumps from the cream cheese, no problem; you won't see them later!)Add the cheddar and Monterey jack and mix gently until combined. Use a rubber spatula to scrape the bowl and make sure all the ingredients are mixed together. Stir in the pimentos and dill. Taste and mix in more of whatever you think it needs. Add more cheese if you like the pimento cheese to be less creamy; add less if you like it to be more creamy.Refrigerate pimento cheese for at least 2 hours before serving. Serve with crackers, small hollowed-out peppers, carrot and celery sticks, and olives. (Or make small sandwiches or even a grilled cheese with it!)***Note: For best results, make sure the cheddar and jack cheeses are nice and cold when you mix them in.