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Smoked Mac and Cheese

Smoked Mac and Cheese is the epitome of comfort food. It’s creamy, cheesy and a touch smoky. Super easy too!

Prep Time
40 mins
Cook Time
1 hr
Total Time
1 hr 40 mins
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 596 kcal
Course: Side Dish , Main Course
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 1 pound elbow macaroni
  • 1 tablespoon salt divided
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups milk
  • ½ pound Velveeta
  • 2 cups grated cheddar cheese
  • ½ cups grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1½ teaspoons white pepper
  • pinch nutmeg
Optional topping
  • 1 cup Panko bread crumbs
  • 4 tablespoons butter

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Start pasta water boiling in a large pot. Once boiling add salt and noodles. Cook according to package directions, stirring occasionally. Remove the pasta just shy of al dente. Reserve a large mug of pasta water then drain. Add to baking dish with some of the water and stir so that the pasta doesn't stick together.
  2. In a medium saucepan, start milk heating over low heat. Do not boil!
  3. In another medium saucepan, melt butter.
  4. Cut Velveeta into cubes.
  5. Add flour and whisk or stir to remove all of the clumps of flour.
  6. Let the butter and flour mixture bubble for a couple minutes to lose the flour taste.
  7. Slowly pour in warm milk, stirring constantly. Let it cook until thickened. About 5 minutes.
  8. Add parmesan cheese next. That will take the longest to melt.
  9. Then add the shredded cheese.
  10. Add the pepper and a pinch of nutmeg. Taste the cheese sauce for salt now. Different cheeses have different salt content, so you want to wait until all of the cheese is melted.
  11. Pour cheese sauce over the noodles and mix well.
For optional topping
  1. Melt the butter in a microwave safe bowl.
  2. Add bread crumbs. Mix well.
  3. Sprinkle on top of the macaroni and cheese.
For smoking
  1. Start your grill or smoker. Add pellets or wood chips. Heat to 225°F / 110°C.
  2. Place macaroni and cheese on grate of smoker.
  3. Smoke for one hour. We don't let it smoke longer than that because the macaroni will quickly become too smoky.
  4. If the mac and cheese isn't hot enough, finish cooking it in the oven or on a grill on the opposite side of the grill that the burner is lit (indirect heat.)

Notes

  • What wood is best?
  • We always use a mild wood for smoking macaroni and cheese. Apple and cherry are our favorites.
  • Store leftovers in the fridge for 3-4 days. For longer storage, freeze in single serve portions for a quick addition to busy day dinner.
  • Other cheeses that are good
  • A combination of cheeses works best. Use sharp cheddar cheese, mild cheddar cheese, gouda cheese, gruyere, cream cheese. Again, whatever you have on hand will work.
  • What to smoke macaroni and cheese in?
  • You can cook this in a variety of vessels. Use a cast iron skillet. Use a disposable foil pan. You a Pyrex baking dish. Any baking pan that can go in the oven can go into the smoker.

Nutrition Information

Serving 2ounces pasta Calories 596kcal (30%) Carbohydrates 59g (20%) Protein 25g (50%) Fat 29g (45%) Saturated Fat 17g (85%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g Monounsaturated Fat 6g Trans Fat 1g Cholesterol 83mg (28%) Sodium 1787mg (74%) Potassium 372mg (11%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 7g (14%) Vitamin A 1064IU (21%) Vitamin C 1mg (1%) Calcium 524mg (52%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 596

% Daily Value*

Serving 2ounces pasta
Calories 596kcal 30%
Carbohydrates 59g 20%
Protein 25g 50%
Fat 29g 45%
Saturated Fat 17g 85%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Monounsaturated Fat 6g 30%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Cholesterol 83mg 28%
Sodium 1787mg 74%
Potassium 372mg 8%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 7g 14%
Vitamin A 1064IU 21%
Vitamin C 1mg 1%
Calcium 524mg 52%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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