Gouda Mac and Cheese - Fancy Style

My husband and I discovered Pizzeria 712 recently.  They have a Gouda mac and cheese that is to die for.  They also use fresh, local ingredients including produce from the farm I work for La Nay Ferme.  (Shameless plug for La Nay Ferme....if you aren't a CSA member yet, you should join today!)  Anyway, I have been craving their mac and cheese everyday so I decided to recreate it Laci-style.  I hope you enjoy my version on Gouda mac and cheese!

(Both these pictures are pre-bake....so image this gooey, golden, and baked to perfection...mmm)

Fancy Gouda Mac and Cheese

1 box any shape pasta you like

2 T. butter

2 T. flour

1 1/2 C. milk

8 oz Gouda cheese

8 oz mushrooms

1/4 C. to 1/2 C. bacon, crumbled

1 bunch asparagus, cut into 1 inch pieces

3 chicken breasts, cooked and cubed

Bread crumbs - panko

1 T. olive oil

Cook pasta, drain and set aside.  Cook mushrooms, and bacon in skillet.  Add asparagus for last 2-3 minutes, drain, and set aside.  Combine flour and butter in saucepan and stir for 1 minute.  Add milk and let it come to a boil.  Add cheese and season with salt and pepper to taste.  Add vegetables, chicken, and cheese to noodles and stir to combine.  Pour into 9x13 pan.  Combine oil and bread crumbs in bowl and top pasta.  Bake at 350 for 15-25 minutes or until golden and bubbly.  Enjoy!!