Smoked Mac and Cheese
This recipe takes a classic comfort food and adds a wonderful smoky element to it, making for a delicious meal
Ingredients
Mac and Cheese
- 1 lb macaroni noodles
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1 tbsp mustard powder
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp hot sauce
- 2 cup half and half
- 8 oz cream cheese cut into cubes
- 2 cup extra sharp cheddar cheese shredded
- 2 cup smoked gouda cheese shredded
Topping
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp steak seasoning
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil on the stove before adding the macaroni noodles
- Cook noodles 1-2 minutes less than the package directions, until al dente. Drain the noodles and set aside
- Preheat a smoker to 225°F
- Place a 12 inch cast iron skillet on the stove over medium heat and add 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- Once melted, add the flour and whisk with the butter to form a roux, then stir in the mustard powder, salt, pepper and hot sauce
- Slowly pour in the half and half and bring to a boil before adding the cream cheese and stir consistently until it’s melted and the sauce is smooth
- Turn the heat on the stove to medium-low and stir in the shredded cheddar and smoked gouda cheese. Stir consistently until the sauce is smooth and creamy
- Turn the heat off on the stove and stir in the cooked macaroni noodles
- In a small bowl, melt the ¼ butter for the topping, then stir in the panko bread crumbs and steak seasoning. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the mac and cheese in the skillet
- Place the skillet of mac and cheese in the smoker for 1 hour
Notes
If you don’t have a smoker, this recipe can be baked in the oven at 350°F for 30 minutes or cook it on a grill over medium heat for 20-30 minutes.