Styles Of Smoked Mac And Cheese Recipe!

Smoked mac and cheese recipe is a delicious new take on this classic comfort food. Mac and cheese is a dish that needs no introduction, creamy, cheesy, and full of flavor, this is one comfort food that really hits the spot.

Traditionally mac and cheese was a casserole dish that was prepared in the oven. Over a period of time, it became so popular that packaged mixes became available that could be easily prepared on a stovetop.

However, smoking your mac and cheese takes it to a different level altogether and is a dish that really has to be experienced at least once in your lifetime.

Cheddar cheese is usually the cheese of choice in mac and cheese but other popular cheese choices include gouda, gruyere, and Havarti among others. 

Restaurants and home cooks alike have also experimented with putting bacon, ham, jalapenos, mushrooms, lobster, and even tuna in their mac and cheese, and some of them are even topped up with a sprinkling of breadcrumbs or crushed crackers lending a nice crunchy texture.

Classic Smoked Mac and Cheese 

Ingredients:

• Elbow macaroni 1 lb
• Flour ¼ cup
• Butter ¼ cup
• Milk 3 cups
• Cream cheese 8 oz
• Colby jack cheese 12 oz
• Sharp cheddar cheese 12 oz
• Ground black pepper to taste

Equipment Needed:

• Smoker
• 8×8 aluminum tray
• Cooking spray

Directions:

1. Place a saucepan on low heat and add in the butter and let it melt.
2. Now add in the flour and whisk and make sure there are no lumps produced.
3. Let it cook until it gets slightly brown, this should take about 2 mins.
4. Then add in the milk and mix it well and let it come to a boil.
5. Continue to cook until it thickens, then cut the cream cheese into smaller pieces and add it in and mix well.
6. Grate the cheese into another bowl and mix well.
7. Now add the grated cheese into the cream sauce and mix until all the cheese has melted.
8. Remove from flame and set it aside.
9. Now cook the macaroni as per pack instructions and drain it once it has cooked.
10. Combine the cooked macaroni with the creamy cheese sauce and mix so that it is well incorporated.
11. Spray the aluminum tray with the cooking spray and ladle the mac and cheese into it.
12. Place it on the smoker at 225 degrees F for 2 hours until it is slightly crispy over the top.
13. Remove from the smoker and serve once it is slightly cool.

Smoked Mac and Cheese Million Dollar Style

Ingredients:

For the mac and cheese

• Elbow macaroni 1 lb
• All-purpose Flour ¼ cup
• Butter 4 tbsp
• Milk 4 cups
• Onion 1
• Garlic 2 tsp
• Dijon mustard 1 tbsp
• Colby jack cheese 1cup
• Sharp cheddar cheese 1cup
• Parmesan cheese 1 cup
• Gouda sliced 8
• Sour cream ½ cup
• Ground black pepper to taste
• Salt to taste

For the topping

• Crispy bacon ¼ lb
• Panko breadcrumbs ¾ cup
• Butter 2 tbsp
• Olive oil 1 tbsp

Equipment needed:

• Smoker
• 8×8 aluminum tray
• Cooking spray

Directions:

1. Cook the macaroni until it is al dente. Drain and set it aside.
2. Place a skillet over medium heat and add in the butter.
3. Once it has melted, add in the chopped onions and chopped garlic and cook until they soften.
4. Add in the flour and whisk well so that no lumps are formed.
5. Then reduce the heat to low and pour in the milk, mustard, and seasonings and mix well and let it come to a boil.
6. Continue to cook the sauce until it thickens and remove from the heat.
7. Add in the grated cheese and stir so that the cheese melts and mix in the cooked macaroni.
8. Spray an aluminum tray with cooking spray and spoon half of the mac and cheese into it and cover with the gouda slices.
9. Spread the sour cream over the cheese slices and top off with the remaining mac and cheese and sprinkle the parmesan cheese over this.
10. Melt butter and olive oil in a skillet and add in the breadcrumbs and cook until it turns brown.
11. Add the crispy bacon bits into the skillet and mix well and sprinkle over the top of the mac and cheese.
12. Heat the smoker to 240 degrees F and smoke for 2 hours and serve.

Summary