Discover the ultimate comfort food upgrade: “Smoked Mac and Cheese.” This mid-blowing twist on classic pasta combines cream and melted cheese with a rich, smoky flavor that will make your taste buds dance. As the BBQ enthusiast and home chef, I’ve spent many hours and countless tries perfecting this recipe on my backyard smoker. My family loves this smoked Mac and cheese and always asks for more and more when I make it. If you are a food lover and want to learn about new recipes, stay with Foodieswine.
Whether you use a pellet smoker, charcoal grill, or electric smoker, this cheesy masterpiece combines tender macaroni with a layer of velvety cheese and an irresistible smoked kick. This recipe is perfect for family dinners or BBQ gatherings. Let’s dive into the detailed recipe for smoked Mac and cheese with some secret pro tips. Get ready to impress yourself and your loved ones with your cooking skills.
Why you’ll love this Recipe
Rich, smoky flavor: This recipe gives a unique twist to our favorite Mac and cheese. The smoker gets used to infusing a depth of smoky peculiarity into the cheese, and it makes the traditional mac and cheese so much better.
Creamy and indulgent: Combined with cheddar, gouda, and cream cheese, this recipe creates a great sauce that is very creamy and satisfying for your taste buds.
Perfect crunch: As in all macaroni dishes, the final ingredient, panko breadcrumbs, gives a great crusty feel when baked. It balances out and brings out the creaminess of the cheese sauce.
Simple ingredients: It employs basic elements that are easy to obtain and steps anyone can follow, so it can be easily prepared by a beginner or an expert.
Crowd-pleaser: For family dinners or a simple BBQ party, you can be confident that everyone will love this smoked mac and cheese.
Smoked mac and cheese Recipe
Making this Smoked Mac and cheese is easy and fun; I know many of you know how to make classic mac and cheese, but here I’m adding some unique ingredients that you might not have used and to further enhance the flavor, smoke it up. You here is my secret foolproof recipe, which I’m sure will never fail you;
Ingredients
Here’s the list of ingredients used in this recipe:
• Noodles (pasta)
• Butter (for the roux and crumb topping)
• Flour
• Mustard powder
• Half-and-half
• Cream cheese
• Cheddar cheese
• Gouda cheese
• Hey Grill Hey Sweet Rub (or any sweet BBQ rub)
• Panko bread crumbs
How to Make Smoked Mac and Cheese
Preheat and cook the noodles: Set your smoker to 225°F and let the noodles get tender according to the directions on their packet, making sure they’re al dente.
Prepare a roux: Melt butter in a 12-inch cast iron skillet and stir it into the flour to create a roux. Then, whisk in a generous quantity of mustard powder.
Finish the sauce: Gradually add half and half, followed by cream cheese. Stir in the cheddar and gouda cheese until fully melted and smooth.
Combine noodles and sauce: Use a spatula to add the cooked noodles to the cheese sauce and stir it carefully until everything is mixed well.
Make the crumb topping: In a bowl, mix melted butter, Hey Grill Hey Sweet Rub, and panko bread crumbs. Sprinkle this whole mixture over the mac and cheese.
Smoke it: place the dish in the smoker, close the lid, and smoke it for 30 minutes.
Serve and enjoy. Remove the smoked mac and cheese from the smoker & serve it warm.
How Long to Smoke the Mac & Cheese?
It normally takes about 30min to 1hour for smoking mac and cheese depending on the type of smoker. However, for a bolder smoke flavor you may take up to two hours for the food to smoke in the smoker.
Please do know that mac and cheese tend to take the flavor of smoke and are well advised to smoke for a shorter time then up the time in a subsequent trial if you fancy a stronger smoky flavor.
Pro Tips By Chef
Use a cheese blend: Combine sharp cheddar with creamy gouda for a more complex flavor punch & a smooth and rich sauce texture.
Cook noodles al dente: Try to Slightly undercooking the pasta/noodles to ensure that it won’t become mushy after smoking and keeping the texture just right.
Add a hint of spice: Mix in a dash of cayenne pepper & smoked paprika to give the dish a subtle kick and enhance the smoky flavor.
Customize the breadcrumb topping: Combine panko with generous quantity grated Parmesan & fresh herbs like parsley or thyme for extra flavor boost.
Let it rest briefly before serving: Allow the mac and cheese to sit for a few minutes after removing it from the smoker to let the sauce thicken and flavors meld.
Storage Tips
Refrigerate promptly: Mac and cheese should be stored in an airtight container and should be placed in the refrigerator after 2 hours of preparation. It will last up to 3-4 days.
Reheat gently: When reheating, it’s helpful to do this over low heat on the stove or in the oven and to add a splash of milk or cream in order to keep the consistency smooth and thick and not dried up.
Freeze for longer storage: For longer storage, freeze mac and cheese in a freezer safe container it will last up to 2-3 months. Refrigerate and should be thawed before reheating, preferably in the fridge all night.
Conclusion
Ready to smoke up a Mac and cheese game? This foolproof recipe proves that a little smoke can completely transform an everyday meal into something extraordinary. Whether you are cooking for friends or family, this smoked Mac & Cheese is surely a masterpiece that can easily impress them. So you must give it a try and don’t forget to share your experience. Happy smoking!
FAQs
How do you keep smoked mac and cheese from drying out?
Use enough liquid in the sauce and cover loosely with foil while smoking to retain moisture.
How long to smoke a mac?
Smoke mac and cheese for about 1 hour at 225°F, or up to 2 hours for a stronger smoky flavor.
What wood to use for smoked mac and cheese?
Use mild woods like apple, cherry, or pecan for a light, sweet smoky flavor that complements the cheese.
Why does smoked cheese not melt?
Smoked cheese may not melt easily due to reduced moisture from smoking, especially when cold smoked, which preserves its shape.
How is smoked cheese made?
Smoked cheese is made by exposing it to low heat smoke, usually through cold smoking, which infuses flavor without melting the cheese.
