Easy Smoked Mac and Cheese

Homemade smoked mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food. I’ve tried different macaroni and cheese recipes over the years and this one is a winner! Using this tried and true recipe, and adding smoke flavor, makes this the ultimate side dish for any BBQ!

Smoked Mac and Cheese Ingredients

The ingredients needed to make this smoked mac and cheese recipe are as follows:

• 16 oz macaroni noodles
• 4 Cups shredded medium cheddar cheese
• 2 Cups shredded Gouda cheese
• 1 Cup shredded fresh Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 Cup butter
• 1/4 Cup flour
• 2 Cups heavy cream
• 2 Cup whole milk
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 Tbsp BBQ rub

Preheat the Grill

First things first: preheat your grill to 250 degrees over indirect heat, particularly using a milder smoking wood such as cherry or pecan. Depending on the grill you use, it may take up to 30 minutes to get to this temp.

What is a Roux?

A roux is flour and melted fat (such as butter) mixed together to create a base for thickening your sauce or gravy. In this case, we are making a roux for the cheese sauce.

In a large sauce pan, melt a stick of butter and add 1/4 Cup of flour and mix together until thick and smooth. Mix in 2 tsp salt, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp black pepper as well.

Making the Cheese Sauce

With the cheese roux made, add in 2 Cups of heavy cream, a cup of whole milk. Next, add 3 Cups of shredded medium cheddar cheese, 2 Cups shredded gouda cheese, and 1 Cup shredded fresh Parmesan cheese. Stir until smooth and creamy.

Elbows or Shells?

While noodles will taste the same regardless of their shape, I prefer shells because they hold little pockets of the creamy cheese sauce. Macaroni noodles, or elbows, are classic and work just fine.

Combine cheese sauce with cooked noodles in a 9×11 pan. Top the noodles with the remaining cup of whole milk, cup of shredded cheddar cheese and a tablespoon of your favorite BBQ rub for extra flavor. If you haven’t tried the all-purpose rub from Grillin with Dad, I suggest you give it a shot.

How Long to Cook the Smoked Mac and Cheese?

With the grill heated to 250 degrees over indirect heat, place the pan of mac and cheese on the grill for an hour. This will ensure the ingredients are cooked properly and you have the right amount of smoke flavor.

Can I Cook Smoked Mac and Cheese at a Higher Temp?

If you are in a hurry, you can cook the smoked mac and cheese at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. You won’t get the same smoke flavor, but will still get tasty results.

Can I reheat Mac and Cheese?

You can reheat smoked mac and cheese, but it won’t be as creamy and tasty as it is fresh. It can be stored in your fridge for up to three days.

What Toppings are Good for Mac and Cheese?

Toppings I prefer are precooked bacon and panko bread crumbs. Add these to the top of the macaroni and cheese before it goes on the grill.

What Pairs Well with Smoked Mac and Cheese?

Here are some recipes for main dishes that pair very well with this smoked mac and cheese:

Smoked Brisket

Hot n’ Fast Pulled Pork

Smoked Tri-tip

Twice Smoked Ham

Smoked Spatchcock Chicken

The Easy Smoked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe!

Easy Smoked Mac and Cheese

Yield: 14

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food. Using this tried and true recipe, and adding smoke flavor, makes this the ultimate side dish for any BBQ!

Print

Ingredients

• 16 oz bag of macaroni noodles (or small shells)
• 4 Cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 Cups shredded Gouda cheese
• 1 Cup Parmesan cheese (fresh)
• 2 Cups heavy cream
• 2 Cups whole milk
• 1/2 Cup butter
• 1/4 Cup flour
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 Tbsp BBQ rub

Instructions

1. Preheat grill to 250 degrees over indirect heat, using hickory wood.
2. Boil noodles in pot with salt for 7-8 minutes. Drain and rinse noodles with cold water. Pour noodles into aluminum half pan. Set aside.
3. Make cheese sauce by melting butter in sauce pan at medium heat. Once butter has melted, add flour and mix. This will make a roux.
4. Add heavy cream, one cup of whole milk, 3 cups of shredded cheddar cheese, 2 cups of shredded Gouda, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir until smooth.
5. Pour cheese sauce onto noodles in half pan, add freshly grated Parmesan cheese, and mix together. Pour remaining cup of whole milk over the noodles, sprinkle remaining cheese on top. Season top with BBQ rub.
6. Place in smoker for 45 minutes. Remove and serve!

Notes

1. If you are smoking other items on the grill that cook at 250 degrees, you can adjust the cooking time of smoked macaroni and cheese to 45-60 minutes.

2. Add toppings such as bacon or bread crumbs for additional flavor and texture.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 14 Serving Size: 1 Cup
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 473Total Fat: 37gSaturated Fat: 23gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 115mgSodium: 882mgCarbohydrates: 17gFiber: 1gSugar: 4gProtein: 18g

NOTE: Nutrition information isn't always accurate.