Smoked mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food side dish. Cheesy, delicious macaroni and cheese are infused with smoke flavor. Made on the stove and then finished in the smoker, this easy recipe is perfect on the Pit Boss or Traeger pellet grill.
Prep Time15 minutesmins
Cook Time30 minutesmins
Total Time45 minutesmins
Course: Main Course, Main Dish, Main Dishes, Side Dish
Start by bringing a large stock pot of salted water to a boil. Add in the elbow macaroni and cook until al dente. (Follow package directions.)
While the pasta is cooking, make the cheese sauce. Start heating a deep large skillet or medium saucepan over medium heat.
Once heated, add in the butter and melt. Once melted, add the flour and whisk. You want it to be smooth. I use thissilicone whiskfor this recipe.
Continue whisking and let the flour cook for about 2-3 minutes.
Add in the black pepper and garlic powder and continue whisking for another minute.
Slowly pour in the half and half and milk while whisking. Heat over low heat until simmering.
Once simmering, add in the cream cheese, gouda, and sharp cheddar. Whisk until smooth and all of the cheese is melted.
Remove from the heat and set aside.
Once the pasta has cooked to al dente, drain it completely and add the cooked macaroni noodles to the dish you’ll be using to smoke the macaroni and cheese. I recommend a heavy-duty, disposable cake pan. It may seem a bit runny when you first put it in the pan, but the pasta will continue to soak up the cheese sauce as it smokes. You don’t want it to be dry.
Pour the cheese mixture into the pan with the cooked pasta and stir to combine.
In a separate small mixing bowl, combine the panko bread crumbs and melted butter. Mix until the bread crumbs are coated. Add in the parmesan cheese and parsley and mix to combine.
Sprinkle the bread crumb topping evenly over the macaroni mixture.
Add to a smoker that is preheated to 225ºF. Smoke for 30-45 minutes, just until bubbly. You don't want to overdo it or it will become dry.
Remove from the smoker and allow it to cool for 10 minutes before serving.