Emeril'S Smoked Gouda Macaroni - cooking recipe

Ingredients

6 cups water
1 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon vegetable oil
1 lb small elbow macaroni
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 teaspoon unsalted butter
2 tablespoons flour
2 1/2 cups milk
1/4 teaspoon white pepper, freshly ground
1/4 lb smoked gouda cheese, grated

Preparation

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
Put the water, 1/2 tsp salt, and the oil in a large heavy saucepan over high heat and bring to a boil.
Add the macaroni and cook, stirring occsionally, until tender, about 8 minutes.
Drain and rinse under cool water.
Set aside.
In a small, heavy saucepan, melt 2 tbs of the butter over medium heat.
Add the flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes.
Slowly add the milk, whisking constantly.
Add the remaining 1/2 tsp salt and the pepper and continue whisking until the sauce is smooth and thick enough to coat the back of a wooden spoon, about 8 minutes.
Remove the white sauce from the heat and stir in the cheese.
Continue stirring until the cheese melts.
Lightly grease a 6.5x10\" casserole dish with the remeining 1/2 tsp butter.
Combine the cheese sauce and macaroni in a large mixing bowl and mix well.
Pour into the prepared casserole and bake until lightly golden on top, about 20 minutes.
Remove from the oven and serve hot.