Smoked Gouda and Beer Mac & Cheese

I heard someone talking about this mac & cheese and decided I needed to try it! So today I fiddled around in the kitchen and came up with a great product. Super easy to make and it takes less than 30 minutes. So here you go....

Ingredients

16 oz pasta (I used bow tie because it was all I had, but elbow is the favorite)
12 oz smoked gouda, graded (you can definitely use less, down to 4 oz but I love cheese!)
2 Tbsp butter
2 Tbsp flour
2 cups milk
1/2 cup beer (I used Hanger 24 Pale Ale)
salt
pepper
Optional: Bread crumbs and parmesean cheese for topping

1. Start cooking your pasta as directed on package

2. In a separate medium sauce pan melt butter with a moderate flame, you don't want to burn it. Add flour and continually stir with wisk for about 2-3 minutes (this is what we call a 'rue' people). Slowly pour in milk and then beer as you stir. Continue stirring as it simmers until sauce is thick and can coat your spoon, about 6-8 minutes. At this point you can turn off the flame and mix in your cheese.

3. By this time your pasta should be done. Drain and put back in the pot, then pour cheese sauce over the pasta and stir.

Now technically you can eat it just like this. I, however, put it in a baking dish, threw some bread crumbs and parmesean cheese on top, and baked at 375 for 10-12 minutes. So good! For those of you more creative types feel free to add bacon or carmalized shallots.

Enjoy!