There is nothing more comforting than eating a bowl of mac and cheese in the winter. The recipe warms the heart and soul while giving nostalgia for childhood and its good times. There are endless ways you can create smoked mac and cheese and experiment with this dish.
We have our own take on this recipe, as we have created a dish that will warm your soul. So, if you are looking for the ultimate comfort food, you have come to the right place. Here is our smoked take on the classic mac and cheese.
Ingredients for Smoked Mac And Cheese
Here are all the ingredients you will need for this recipe:
- One packet of sixteen ounces of elbow macaroni
- ¼ cup of all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup or half a stick of butter
- Three cups of milk
- One packet of eight ounces of cream cheese (cut in chunks)
- 1 tsp. of salt
- ½ tsp. of black pepper
- One wedge of shredded Parmesan cheese of four ounces
- One block of smoked Gouda cheese eight ounces, shredded and divided
- One block of extra sharp cheddar cheese of eight ounces, shredded and divided
All of these ingredients will help you create a cheesy and creamy mac and cheese that your family and friends will love. Be sure to use high-quality cheeses for excellent taste and results.
How to Make Smoked Mac And Cheese
Now that you have all the ingredients at your disposal, here are all the steps you can follow to create the perfect smoked mac and cheese recipe:
1. Follow the directions on the pasta packaging to cook your elbow macaroni the right way.
2. While your pasta is boiling, take a medium saucepan. Melt butter in the pan, and then whisk the flour into the butter. Be sure to cook them for two minutes on medium heat.
3. Whisk in the milk and bring the mixture to a boil. Then, remove these from the heat.
4. Stir in the salt and pepper and cream cheese and keep mixing until the texture is smooth.
5. Preheat your oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
6. Coast an aluminum roasting pan with some cooking spray.
7. Take a large bowl and combine two cups of Gouda cheese, cheddar cheese, parmesan cheese, sauce, and pasta.
8. Spoon this entire mixture inside the roasting pan.
9. Cover the pan with aluminum foil and smoke or bake the dish for at least forty-five minutes.
10. Uncover the dish, and sprinkle it with the leftover cheese.
11. Bake it for an additional fifteen or twenty minutes until the dish is completely heated through.
12. Keep in mind that instead of an oven, you can also place your dish inside a smoker and smoke it for forty-five minutes or an hour.
13. You can do this at 225 degrees Fahrenheit in the smoker until your mac and cheese are bubbling and brown.
What Side Dishes Can I Serve With Smoked Mac And Cheese?
Smoked mac and cheese is a heavy and creamy dish, which is why it is important to keep the side dishes light to give them a balance. Here are some of the top side dishes we would recommend that will go incredibly well with the mac and cheese:
- Roasted vegetables
- Caesar salad
- Broccoli sauté
- Baked chicken
- Ham
- Roasted turkey
- Coleslaw
- BBQ ribs
- And much more
Meats will go well with smoked mac and cheese, especially if you use barbecued meat. On the other hand, if you want to keep it light, then you can select vegetable side dishes for the best results.
What Seasonings Can I Add To The Smoked Mac And Cheese?
Many people want to enhance the flavor profile of smoked mac and cheese by adding seasonings to it. There are different types of seasonings you can add to the mac and cheese. We recommend that you add salt and pepper, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, and much more.
Of course, the seasoning you think is best for you will depend on the flavor profile that you want to add to your smoked mac and cheese. Be sure not to keep it too spicy, or it will overpower the smoked flavor of the mac and cheese. Keep the seasonings light and simple for the best results.
How Long Will The Smoked Mac And Cheese Last In The Fridge?
If you have leftovers, you can keep them in the fridge to devour them later. You can keep the smoked mac and cheese in an airtight container, and it will last in the fridge for two days. After that, the cheese and sauce will start separating, which is why it is best to consume them as soon as possible.
We also don’t recommend storing the mac and cheese in the freezer. That is because it will ruin the integrity of the dish and will not be as tasty when you want to consume it later.
PrintThe Ultimate Smoked Mac And Cheese Recipe
There is nothing more comforting than eating a bowl of mac and cheese in the winter. The recipe warms the heart and soul while giving nostalgia for childhood and its good times. There are endless ways you can create mac and cheese and experiment with this dish.
- Total Time: 1 hour and 20 minutes
Ingredients
- One packet of sixteen ounces of elbow macaroni
- ¼ cup of all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup or half a stick of butter
- Three cups of milk
- One packet of eight ounces of cream cheese (cut in chunks)
- 1 tsp. of salt
- ½ tsp. of black pepper
- One wedge of shredded Parmesan cheese of four ounces
- One block of smoked Gouda cheese eight ounces, shredded and divided
- One block of extra sharp cheddar cheese of eight ounces, shredded and divided
Instructions
- Follow the directions on the pasta packaging to cook your elbow macaroni the right way.
- While your pasta is boiling, take a medium saucepan. Melt butter in the pan, and then whisk the flour into the butter. Be sure to cook them for two minutes on medium heat.
- Whisk in the milk and bring the mixture to a boil. Then, remove these from the heat.
- Stir in the salt and pepper and cream cheese and keep mixing until the texture is smooth.
- Preheat your oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Coast an aluminum roasting pan with some cooking spray.
- Take a large bowl and combine two cups of Gouda cheese, cheddar cheese, parmesan cheese, sauce, and pasta.
- Spoon this entire mixture inside the roasting pan.
- Cover the pan with aluminum foil and smoke or bake the dish for at least forty-five minutes.
- Uncover the dish, and sprinkle it with the leftover cheese.
- Bake it for an additional fifteen or twenty minutes until the dish is completely heated through.
- Keep in mind that instead of an oven, you can also place your dish inside a smoker and smoke it for forty-five minutes or an hour.
- You can do this at 225 degrees Fahrenheit in the smoker until your mac and cheese are bubbling and brown.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
Nutrition
- Calories: 837 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 877 mg
- Fat: 56 g
- Carbohydrates: 57 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 171 mg
Final Thoughts
That was our complete smoked mac and cheese recipe that you can create for your guests. Everyone, from adults to kids, will love this recipe, and you can give it your personal touch by adding the seasonings that you think will taste best.
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