Description
A delicious smoked mac and cheese recipe with a creamy interior and crunchy top.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound elbow macaroni or cellentani pasta
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 2–3 cups milk
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 1/2 cups shredded gouda cheese
- 1 cup shredded gruyère cheese
- cooking oil
Instructions
- Preheat smoker to 225 degrees.
- Cook the pasta in a large pot in accordance with the instructions on the package.
- Drain the pasta and rinse with cold water.
- Heat a saucepan or skillet on medium heat. Add the butter and allow it to melt.
- Once melted, add the flour and whisk.
- This will create a roux. Continue to whisk until the flour is fully combined.
- Add the milk and heavy whipping cream and stir.
- Add half of all of the shredded cheeses and stir until the cheese is melted.
- Add the onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper to taste. Taste repeatedly; adjust and add additional spices if necessary.
- Return the pasta to the large pot. Drizzle the cheese sauce over the pasta and stir until fully combined.
- Spray a 12 inch cast iron with cooking oil. You can also use a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Begin to layer in the pasta. Start with the pasta, then add a layer using some of the remaining shredded cheese.
- Add another layer of pasta, and then another layer of cheese.
- Smoke for 1-2 hours until the cheese on top has melted; in my experience, after an hour it only has a slight smoky flavor. If you want a strong smoky flavor, you will need to cook it for around 2 hours.
- I like for my mac and cheese to have a crunchy top and creamy interior, so once the dish is finished smoking, I place it in the oven on Broil for 3 minutes until browned on top.
Notes
- For the milk, I often use 2 cups. Use your judgement. Start with 2 and add more if needed.
- Adjust the smoked paprika to taste; I like to use 1 teaspoon for a smoky flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1-2 hours
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Smoking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 800
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 50g
- Saturated Fat: 30g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 150mg