To try and decide each week where and what to eat in and around the basin can be a challenge – there are so many amazing choices. In this feature we’ll dive into dishes that will surely satisfy those hunger pangs and leave you wondering where to go next.

If you’re one who thinks that mac and cheese is just for kids – or if you think you’ve had one, you’ve had them all – I need you to slowly back away from this column, go look at yourself in the mirror, and tell yourself you’re wrong. Go ahead. I’ll wait … and now that you’re back, take a peek at this week’s feature.

For this dish, penne pasta sits in for the traditional macaroni and it’s the right call. Those little ribs in the pasta are a great nesting ground for the gouda cheese to cling to while it simultaneously smothers the rest of the dish. And as if that ooey gooeyness wasn’t enough, it’s also tossed with roasted ham. If you really want to get a little crazy and amp this dish up, add bacon or jalapenos (or both).

The pasta here is perfectly tender, which is key when it comes to a dish like this. The gouda cheese not only provides the creaminess of the dish but also provides a tangy sweetness that balances out the saltiness of the ham.

Sometimes the dishes that are straightforward with great ingredients are the ones to watch for. I’d include this dish in that thinking. And if you still think it’s just for kids, take one of your own kids (or pull one from off the street if you need to), order this dish for them, and then steal it for yourself. You won’t regret it … well maybe if you just grabbed a kid from the street. In that case, make sure they get their own bowl.

Rubicon Pizza Company is located at 5001 Northstar Dr. Suite 5101 in the Northstar Village. For more information visit them online at rubiconpizzaco.com or reach them via phone at 530-562-2199.