Description
This smoked mac and cheese features a creamy cheese sauce combined with pasta and a smoky flavor for a delicious twist on a classic dish.
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 to taste
- 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, adjusting 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 pan with cooking oil, or 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. The dish will take 50-60 minutes to cook on the smoker. For a strong smoky flavor, cook for around 2 hours.
- For a crunchy top and creamy interior, place the dish in the oven on Broil for 3 minutes until browned on top.
Notes
- You can adjust the amount of smoked paprika to your taste preferences.
- For a creamier consistency, feel free to add more milk as needed.
- This dish can be prepared and then smoked to enhance the flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Smoking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 40g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 80mg