Creamy Smoked Gouda Shells and Cheese
Creamy Smoked Gouda Shells and Cheese features a velvety, gently smoky sauce that envelopes tender pasta for pure comfort in every bite. The nuanced smokiness from Gouda adds depth without overpowering, making it a standout twist on a classic. Serve it as a cozy weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing side at gatherings.
- Prep10 mins
- Cook30 mins
- Serves8
- DifficultyEasy
easyChef Pro health score
Calculated from USDA-referenced nutrient data for the ingredients in Creamy Smoked Gouda Shells and Cheese, not estimated by an AI model. The same recipe returns the same score every time.
- Glycemic ImpactFair
- 49 / 100
- Carb quality, not quantity. Higher is better.
- Nutritional DensityPoor
- 0 / 100
- Nutrients per calorie. Higher is better.
- Energy DensityFair
- 53 / 100
- Calories by weight. Higher means more food for fewer calories.
- NOVA Processed Culinary Ingredients
- 2 / 4
- Processing level, 1 (whole) to 4 (ultra-processed). Lower is better.
How it scores for each health goal
The same recipe scores differently against different goals, because the goal changes the calculation rather than filtering a list. Set your goal in easyChef Pro and every recipe is scored against it.
- 34
- Heart Health
- 59
- Metabolic
- 18
- Digestive
- 20
- Inflammatory
- 30
- Performance
- 30
- General Wellness
- 1
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease a casserole dish.
- 2
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add shell pasta and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender but still slightly firm, about 9 minutes.
- 3
While the pasta cooks, melt butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Whisk in flour and cook, stirring, until the mixture turns paste-like and light golden brown, 2 to 4 minutes. Slowly whisk in milk, salt, and pepper, then bring to a simmer over medium heat. Gradually whisk in shredded cheese; cook, whisking constantly, until the sauce is smooth and thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, 5 to 10 minutes.
- 4
Drain the pasta and move it to a large bowl. Pour the cheese sauce over it and stir until fully combined. Transfer to the prepared casserole dish.
- 5
Bake in the preheated oven until heated through, about 15 minutes.
- Calories 271.16 kcal Moderate 14%
- Protein 11.18 g Good Source 22%
- Carbohydrate 37.76 g 14%
- Total Fat 8.18 g Moderate 10%
- Saturated Fat 4.67 g High 23%
- Trans Fat 0.0 g Low Source 0%
- Cholesterol 23.9 mg Moderate 8%
- Sodium 172.64 mg Moderate 8%
- Dietary Fiber 1.65 g Low Source 6%
- Total Sugars 5.89 g --
- Added Sugars 0.0 g Low Source 0%
- Calcium 200.47 mg Moderate 15%
- Iron 1.48 mg Low Source 8%
- Potassium 128.89 mg Low Source 3%
- Vitamin A 101.25 mcg Moderate 11%
- Vitamin C 0.03 mg Low Source 0%
- Vitamin D 0.91 mcg Low Source 5%
Values are per serving. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
- Milk 🥛
- Wheat 🌾
- Gluten
About This Recipe
Creamy Smoked Gouda Shells and Cheese is made with 7 ingredients and serves 8. It takes about 40 mins and is rated easy. Key ingredients include All Purpose Flour, Milk, Salt, and Shell Pasta. Each serving provides about 271.16 kcal, and is a good source of protein.
Recipe Questions
- What is Creamy Smoked Gouda Shells and Cheese made of?
- The main ingredients are All-Purpose Flour, Milk, Salt, Shell Pasta, Smoked Gouda Cheese. The full list of 7 is above.
- How long does it take to make Creamy Smoked Gouda Shells and Cheese?
- About 40 mins in total: 10 mins to prepare and 30 mins to cook.
- How many calories are in one serving?
- One serving provides about 271.16 kcal. The full nutrition breakdown is above.
- Is Creamy Smoked Gouda Shells and Cheese easy to make?
- This recipe is rated easy, with 7 ingredients and 5 steps.
- Is Creamy Smoked Gouda Shells and Cheese healthy?
- Creamy Smoked Gouda Shells and Cheese has an easyChef Pro health score of 35/100. Per serving, it provides 271.16 calories and 11.18 g of protein, or 22% of the Daily Value. Worth noting per serving: sodium at 172.64 mg (8% of the Daily Value) and saturated fat at 4.67 g (23% of the Daily Value). It contains Milk, Wheat and Gluten, so it may not be suitable for people with those allergies or dietary restrictions. Whether it fits your goals depends on your complete meal plan and nutritional needs. Remix it in easyChef Pro to adjust the ingredients and generate fresh nutrition and scores.
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