Description
Indulge in the rich, smoky flavors of this irresistible smoked macaroni and cheese. Perfect for a comforting meal or a crowd-pleasing side dish, this recipe is sure to impress with its creamy, cheesy goodness and subtle hint of smokiness.
Ingredients
Scale
Macaroni:
- 1 lb elbow macaroni
Cheese Sauce:
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese (shredded)
- 1 cup smoked gouda (shredded)
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese (shredded)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Topping (Optional):
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat the Smoker: Set up your smoker and preheat it to 225°F.
- Cook Macaroni: Cook the macaroni until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Make Cheese Sauce: Melt butter in a saucepan, whisk in flour, then slowly add milk and cream. Stir in cheeses and seasonings until smooth.
- Combine Ingredients: Mix in the cooked macaroni until well coated.
- Prepare for Smoking: Transfer the mixture to a pan. Optionally, top with breadcrumbs mixed with olive oil.
- Smoke the Mac and Cheese: Smoke the dish uncovered in the preheated smoker for 1 to 1.5 hours until golden and lightly smoked.
- Serve: Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- Enhance the smoky flavor with wood chips like hickory or apple.
- Customize with additions like cooked bacon, jalapeños, or pulled pork.
- If a smoker is unavailable, bake in the oven at 350°F for 25–30 minutes.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Smoking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 440mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
