Smoked Mac And Cheese Recipe

Smoked Mac And Cheese

Smoked mac and cheese is a delicious twist on a classic comfort food that will impress your friends and family. This recipe combines creamy, cheesy macaroni noodles with a smoky flavor that will satisfy any craving. Whether you are a seasoned smoker or a beginner, this recipe is easy to follow and produces impressive results every time.

To get started, you will need a few basic ingredients and some essential cooking equipment. You only need a large pot for boiling the noodles, a medium saucepan for making the cheese sauce, a 9×13-inch baking dish, and a smoker. With these tools and a little time and effort, you can create a mouthwatering dish that will surely be a hit at any gathering.

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How to make Smoked Mac and Cheese

Follow these steps, and you’ll have a smoked mac and cheese meal that people will rave about for years!

Step 1: Preheat your smoker

Preheat your smoker to 225 degrees Fahrenheit using mild hardwood such as cherry or apple. This step is essential because it ensures that the smoker is at the correct temperature when you are ready to start cooking. Preheating the smoker also helps to eliminate any cold spots or hot spots within the smoking chamber.

Step 2: Boil the noodles

Bring salted water to a boil in a large pot and cook macaroni noodles according to package instructions. Drain and set aside. Boiling the noodles in salted water helps to season them as they cook, and it also helps to keep them from sticking together. Once the noodles are cooked, drain them thoroughly in a colander to remove any excess water.

Step 3: Make The Sauce

In a medium saucepan, melt 1/2 cup of butter over medium heat. The butter will create a roux, a mixture of flour and fat to thicken sauces and soups.

Thicken the sauce
Whisk in 1/4 cup of flour until smooth paste forms. The flour and butter should be combined until they form a smooth, even mixture with no lumps. This step is crucial because it helps to ensure that the sauce will be smooth and creamy rather than lumpy or grainy.

Add milk and whisk
Slowly whisk in 2 cups of milk, stirring constantly. Bring the mixture to a boil and reduce the heat to low. As you whisk in the milk, continuously stir to prevent the roux from clumping. Once the milk is fully incorporated, and the mixture has come to a boil, reduce the heat to low to prevent the sauce from scorching.

Add cheese
Stir in 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese until it is fully melted and the sauce is smooth. The cheese should be added gradually until it is fully melted and evenly distributed throughout the sauce. If the cheese is added too quickly or not stirred in well, it can cause the sauce to become clumpy or grainy.

Step 4: Add cooked noodles

Add the cooked noodles to the cheese sauce and stir until they are coated. The noodles should be fully coated in the sauce, with no dry spots or clumps.

Step 5: Transfer to baking dish

Transfer the mac and cheese to a lightly greased 9×13-inch baking dish. The baking dish should be greased lightly with cooking spray or butter to prevent the mac and cheese from sticking.

Step 6: Make crunchy topping

Mix 1/4 cup of melted butter, 1/2 cup of panko bread crumbs, and a pinch of salt in a small bowl. Sprinkle this mixture over the top of the mac and cheese. The breadcrumb mixture adds a crispy, crunchy topping to the mac and cheese and helps seal the heat and moisture as it cooks.

Step 7: Smoke Your Mac And Cheese

Place the baking dish in the smoker and smoke for 1 hour. The mac and cheese should be smoked for 1 hour until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the bread crumb topping is golden brown.

Serve the mac and cheese warm. Enjoy!

6 Tips for the best Smoked Mac and Cheese

1. Use a good quality cheese

Choose a cheese made explicitly for melting, such as cheddar, gouda, or fontina. These types of cheese will melt smoothly and create a creamy, rich sauce.

2. Preheat the smoker

Preheat the smoker to the correct temperature before adding the mac and cheese. This will help to eliminate any hot or cold spots within the smoking chamber and ensure that the mac and cheese cook evenly.

3. Use a baking dish that is large enough

Make sure to use a baking dish that is large enough to hold the mac and cheese comfortably. If the baking dish is too small, the mac and cheese may boil over or become overcooked.

4. Don’t overcook the noodles

Be sure to cook the noodles until they are al dente, meaning they still have a bit of chew and texture (but not too soft). Overcooked noodles can become mushy and may not hold their shape well in the finished dish.

5. Experiment with different types of wood

Different types of wood can add unique flavors to smoked mac and cheese. Try using different types of wood, such as cherry, apple, or oak, to see which flavors you like best.

6. Adjust the smoking time to your preference

If you prefer a more robust smoke flavor, you can smoke the mac and cheese for up to 2 hours. Keep your smoking time closer to 1 hour for a more subtle smoke.

Smoked Mac and Cheese side dishes

Smoked Brisket – This classic barbecue favorite is a natural match for smoked mac and cheese. The rich, savory flavor of the brisket complements the creamy, cheese-laden noodles perfectly.

Smoked Pork Ribs (321 Ribs) – Another barbecue classic, pork ribs are a great choice to pair with smoked mac and cheese. The sweet, smoky flavor of the ribs balances out the richness of the mac and cheese, making for a satisfying meal.

Smoked Chicken – For a lighter option, smoked chicken is a great choice to pair with smoked mac and cheese. The tender, moist meat complements the creamy noodles beautifully.

Grilled Vegetables – If you’re looking for a vegetarian option, grilled vegetables are a great choice to pair with smoked mac and cheese. Grilled zucchini, bell peppers, and eggplant all work well, as do roasted potatoes or sweet potatoes.

Salad – For a refreshing contrast to the decadent, creamy mac and cheese, a simple green salad is a great choice. Add some grilled chicken, smoked salmon, or sliced vegetables for a complete meal.

Baked beans – For a classic barbecue side dish, baked beans are a great choice to pair with smoked mac and cheese. The smoky, savory flavor of the beans complements the creamy noodles perfectly.

Cornbread – Cornbread is a great choice to pair with smoked mac and cheese for a sweet and savory side dish. The moist, crumbly texture and sweet corn flavor of the cornbread contrast beautifully with the creamy, cheese-laden noodles.

Best Beer To Pair With Smoked Mac And Cheese

This comfort classic, kissed by the smoky goodness of the grill, is a delight for your taste buds. But to truly elevate your cheesy experience, you need the perfect beer companion. Let’s explore the top beer pairings that will make your mac and cheese even more fantastic!

Wheat Beer

Wheat beer, with its light and slightly fruity character, is like a ray of sunshine for your Smoked Mac and Cheese. The subtle sweetness of wheat beer complements the creamy, cheesy goodness of the dish, creating a flavor harmony that’s simply delightful. Its effervescence cleanses your palate, making every spoonful of mac and cheese feel like a refreshing flavor adventure. This pairing is as easy-breezy as a sunny day and as tasty as a comfort food hug.

IPA (India Pale Ale)

IPA, the hoppy adventurer of the beer world, is up for the challenge when it comes to your mac and cheese. Its bold hoppy flavors and citrusy zing cut through the creamy richness, creating an exciting contrast that will have your taste buds dancing with joy. This pairing is like a flavor adventure, where each cheesy bite is met with a burst of hoppy excitement. The IPA’s refreshing bitterness and fruity notes elevate the overall experience, making your mac and cheese even more satisfying.

Amber Ale

Amber ale is like the friendly neighbor who knows how to bring out the best in your Smoked Mac and Cheese. Its malty sweetness and balanced hops create a delightful harmony with the smoky, creamy dish. The caramel notes in amber ale enhance the rich, cheesy flavors, making every bite feel like a flavor explosion. This pairing is like a cozy, flavor-filled chat with a good friend, comforting and utterly satisfying.

Smoked Mac And Cheese

Smoked Mac And Cheese Recipe

Cheesy and delicious Smoked Mac And Cheese you can try at home.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 8

Equipment

  • 1 Smoker Pellets (apple or cherry)
  • 1 Baking Dish
  • 1 Large Pot

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound macaroni noodles
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, divided
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups milk
  • 2 cups chredded cheddar cheese
  • ½ cup panko bread crumbs
  • 1 pinch of table salt

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your smoker to 225 degrees Fahrenheit using a mild hardwood such as cherry or apple.
  • In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil and cook macaroni noodles according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
  • In a medium saucepan, melt 1/2 cup of butter over medium heat.
  • Whisk in 1/4 cup of flour until a smooth paste forms.
  • Slowly whisk in 2 cups of milk, stirring constantly. Bring the mixture to a boil and reduce the heat to low.
  • Stir in 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese until it is fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
  • Add the cooked noodles to the cheese sauce and stir until they are coated.
  • Transfer the mac and cheese to a lightly greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
  • In a small bowl, mix together 1/4 cup of melted butter, 1/2 cup of panko bread crumbs, and a pinch of salt. Sprinkle this mixture over the top of the mac and cheese.
  • Place the baking dish in the smoker and smoke for 1 hour.
  • Serve the mac and cheese warm. Enjoy!
Keyword Mac and Cheese

Smoked Mac and Cheese FAQs

How to make smoked mac and cheese?

Preheat your smoker to 225 degrees Fahrenheit. Cook macaroni noodles in a large pot of salted water, then drain and set aside. Melt 1/2 cup of butter over medium heat and whisk in 1/4 cup flour until smooth paste forms. Slowly whisk in 2 cups of milk, stirring constantly, and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and stir in 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese until it is fully melted and the sauce is smooth. Add the cooked noodles to the cheese sauce and stir until they are coated. Transfer the mac and cheese to a lightly greased 9×13 inch baking dish and mix 1/4 cup of melted butter, 1/2 cup of panko bread crumbs, and a pinch of salt. Sprinkle this mixture over the top of the mac and cheese, then place the baking dish in the smoker and smoke for 1 hour.

Can I use pre-shredded cheese for smoked mac and cheese?

You can use pre-shredded cheese in this smoked mac and cheese recipe. Just be sure to use a good quality cheese made explicitly for melting, as some pre-shredded cheeses can be coated with additives that prevent them from melting smoothly.

Can I make smoked mac and cheese without a smoker?

Yes, making smoked mac and cheese possible without a smoker is possible. Simply omit the smoking step and bake the mac and cheese in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the bread crumb topping is golden brown.

Can I use a different cheese for smoked mac and cheese?

Yes, you can use a different type of cheese in this smoked mac and cheese recipe if you prefer. Cheddar is a classic choice for mac and cheese, but you can also try using different types of cheese, such as mozzarella, gouda, or fontina. Just be sure to use a good quality cheese made explicitly for melting.

Can I freeze smoked mac and cheese for later use?

It is possible to freeze this smoked mac and cheese recipe later. Allow the smoked mac and cheese to cool completely, then transfer it to a container with a tight-fitting lid or a plastic freezer bag. Freeze the mac and cheese for up to 3 months, then thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

Can I make a vegetarian smoked mac and cheese?

You can make this smoked mac and cheese recipe vegetarian by omitting the milk and using a non-dairy milk alternative such as almond milk or soy milk. You can also use a vegetarian cheese alternative, such as plant-based cheese made from nuts or soy. Just be sure to choose a cheese alternative made explicitly for melting, as some types may not melt as smoothly as traditional cheese.

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