Smoked Mac and Cheese

Love mac and cheese? Prepare to have your taste buds taken on a smoky journey of pure indulgence. Smoked mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food with a twist, combining the creamy goodness of classic elbow macaroni and cheese with a subtle yet tantalizing smoky flavor that adds an extra layer of deliciousness. Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue or simply craving some cheesy goodness, this article will guide you through the art of creating the perfect smoked mac and cheese that will have everyone begging for seconds. So grab your apron, fire up the smoker, and get ready to elevate your mac and cheese game to new heights!

Smoky Mac and Cheese Recipe

As we get this dish started you are going to want the following ingredients ready to go:

• 1 lb. of pasta, I used elbow
• 1/2 stick of butter
• 4 tablespoons of flour
• 2 cups of milk
• 3 tablespoons of cream cheese
• 4 oz of fresh shredded pepper jack cheese
• 2 cups of a freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese

You can prep the pasta first and put it off to the side. I used a 1lb box of elbow macaroni. Cook to instructions but cut the time in half, as the pasta will finish cooking in the smoker. Fully cooking the pasta may leave it too soft and mushy after coming off the smoker. Reality is you are cooking this for like 2-3 minutes in a pot of boiling water.

The key to this recipe is the cheesy sauce so let’s dive into that. For starters you will take a 1/2 stick of butter and melt it. Once that is melted you are going to slowly add 4 tablespoons of flour and will whisk that until it is thickened. When that is done, start adding in 2 cups of milk. After the milk has been added you can then add 3 tablespoons of cream cheese, 4 oz. of shredded pepper jack cheese and 2 cups of shredded sharp cheddar cheese.

Continue stirring all the ingredients until the cheese has melted and blended in together. Now that you have the cheese sauce completed you can add it to the pasta and stir. I usually use foil trays but a cast iron skillet will work with this as well. I always prefer the easy clean up, especially when it comes to dealing and cleaning cheese. With the pasta and cheese sauce mixed we are ready to get this on the smoker.

How To Smoke Mac and Cheese

While you are prepping the mac and cheese you will want to get your smoker to 225°. Place the mac and cheese in the smoker, whether its a WSM, pellet smoker, Kettle or electric smoker, this recipe and method should work on most. Once it is on we are going to let it smoke for about an hour. About half way through we will want to stir the pasta so the bottom layer gets some smoke on it.

After one hour on the smoker you should be good to go and pull this off. You can always do a quick test taste to see if you think its ready or not before pulling it. An hour of smoke time is really all you need, its a matter of letting the pasta cook through. If you were sitting above that 225 degrees mark, you might want to pull it a bit sooner.

As soon as that pasta is cooked through, you can pull it. You can let it cool down before serving but as soon as you are comfortable you can go ahead and serve it.

How To Serve Creamy Smoked Mac and Cheese

This smoked mac and cheese recipe makes for a great main dish or can be served as a side. Either way, it will be enjoyed. If you want to dress it up a bit more here are some other suggestions:

• Bacon! Bacon makes everything better. How you choose to do this is up to you. You can make some bacon strips and then break it up for some fresh bacon bits or if you wanted to just throw some bacon bits on from a bag you can do that too. If you do that, I would suggest throwing them on about 10-15 minutes before pulling the mac and cheese.
• If you want a little bit of crunch on the mac and cheese, try some panko bread crumbs on the top
• Green onions or chives are a great way to add some green to your smoked mac and cheese, its an easy topping and is a nice compliment.
• French fried onions are another delicious topping, again for someone that wants some crunch on their mac and cheese.

Concluding Smoked Macaroni and Cheese

Smoked mac and cheese offers a unique twist on a classic comfort food dish. The smoky flavor adds depth and complexity to the creamy cheese sauce, creating a truly unforgettable culinary experience. Whether enjoyed as a main course or served as a side dish at your next barbecue, this indulgent delight is sure to impress even the most discerning palates. So why not elevate your mac and cheese game by giving it that irresistible smoky touch? Give it a try and prepare to be amazed by how this simple addition can transform an already beloved dish into something extraordinary.

Thanks for being here and checking out this Smoked Mac and Cheese recipe. I hope you enjoy it! We always appreciate comments, 5 star recipe rating and social media shares. As always, keep that smoke rolling!

If you are looking for other smoked recipes, here are a few you may enjoy:

• Mac and Cheese Stuffed Poblano Peppers
• Grilled Cream Cheese Stuffed Mini Peppers
• Smoked Cornbread Recipe
• Smoked WSM Chicken Thighs
• Smoked Pulled Chicken Breasts
• Smoked Shrimp and Grits

Need a great and effective unit for checking the ambient temperature on your smoker, try the ThermoPro TP20. Quality unit at a budget price.

This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something I may earn a commission.