This Is The Way Real Adults Do Mac And Cheese

Put down that powdered cheese packet and hand over the squeeze-y cheese pouch — you can do so much better. Sure the instant, microwavable macaroni and cheese is a quick fix when you feel that comfort food craving hitting you in the stomach, but we are all adults here so making food on the stove top is no longer expressly forbidden.

Click here for 25 Amazing Macaroni and Cheese Recipes slideshow.

But just because we are adults doesn't mean we should entirely lose ourselves in sophisticated pursuits. Sometimes you just want macaroni and cheese, not chicken liver mousse, not caviar, not perfectly grilled filet mignon — just simple macaroni and cheese.

To satisfy your comfort food craving, this perfect hunger obliterating macaroni and cheese celebrates simple flavors and grown up tastes. Our Smoked Gouda Macaroni and Cheese recipe uses a simple béchamel technique to form the super cheesy sauce.

The key to this simple and delicious macaroni and cheese is the custom cheese blend, which combines smoky Gouda, mild cheddar, and Pecorino, with just the right amount of bite to it. Seasoned to perfection, topped with Panko bread crumbs and heated in the oven until bubbling hot, this macaroni and cheese is fit for adults (but your kids won't complain either). 
 

Angela Carlos is the Cook Editor at The Daily Meal. Find her on Twitter and tweet @angelaccarlos.