5.0 from 48 votes
3 Cheese Smoked Mac and Cheese + Video
Smoked mac and cheese is a creamy, cheesy pasta dish with 3 cheeses and panko topping. Double this recipe; it's the BEST holiday side dish!
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
1 hr 5 mins
Total Time
1 hr 15 mins
Servings: 10
Calories: 578 kcal
Course:
Side Dish
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 1 lb elbow macaroni or other small pasta shape
- 8 tbsp butter
- 4 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 3 cups milk
- 1 tbsp hot sauce
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 8 oz cream cheese (room temp)
- 2 cups shredded Mozzarella cheese or Gouda or Monterey Jack
- 2 cups cheddar cheese shredded
Toppings
- 1 cup Panko bread crumbs (See Note 1)
- 1/4 cup parsley chopped, loosely packed
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- In a large stock pot boil pasta in heavily salted water per package directions. Drain and toss with 1 tablespoon of olive oil to prevent sticking in a 13x9” casserole dish or 12" cast iron pan coated with cooking spray. Set aside.
- Preheat smoker to 225°F using cherry or apple wood chips or pellets.
- To a 2-quart saucepan, add the butter and melt over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for a minute. Slowly whisk in the milk (not all at once). Whisk in the mustard, hot sauce, salt and pepper. Lower the heat to simmer and cook for 4 minutes, or until sauce thickens.
- Remove pot from heat and add cream cheese, then stir to melt. Add the shredded cheeses and stir to melt and incorporate. Cheese sauce should be smooth.
- Pour cheese sauce over cooked pasta and stir to mix in completely. Top with breadcrumb mixture and put it in the smoker for 1 hour uncovered, or in a 350°F oven for 30 minutes.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- OPTION:
- If you want the breadcrumbs a golden brown, after smoking, place under broiler for 1 minute, watch carefully! Serve warm.
- OPTION: If you want the breadcrumbs a golden brown, after smoking, place under broiler for 1 minute, watch carefully! Serve warm.
Nutrition Information
Calories
578kcal
(29%)
Carbohydrates
46g
(15%)
Protein
21g
(42%)
Fat
34g
(52%)
Saturated Fat
20g
(100%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
2g
Monounsaturated Fat
10g
Trans Fat
1g
Cholesterol
98mg
(33%)
Sodium
680mg
(28%)
Potassium
300mg
(9%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
6g
(12%)
Vitamin A
1211IU
(24%)
Vitamin C
3mg
(3%)
Calcium
408mg
(41%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 10Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 578
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 578kcal | 29% |
| Carbohydrates | 46g | 15% |
| Protein | 21g | 42% |
| Fat | 34g | 52% |
| Saturated Fat | 20g | 100% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 10g | 50% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 98mg | 33% |
| Sodium | 680mg | 28% |
| Potassium | 300mg | 6% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 6g | 12% |
| Vitamin A | 1211IU | 24% |
| Vitamin C | 3mg | 3% |
| Calcium | 408mg | 41% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.