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    Home » Smoked Side Dishes

    Smoked Mac and Cheese (plus video)

    Published: Jun 11, 2021 · Modified: Jan 15, 2023 by Will · This post may contain affiliate links.

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    This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my privacy policy.

    How to smoke a creamy, cheesy, and bacon....y mac and cheese. Let's be honest, this dish goes well with EVERYTHING! I love pairing this smoked mac and cheese pasta with a good burger. Let's boil some water and roll some smoke...

    smoked mac and cheese in cast iron skillet with parsley garnish
    Jump to:
    • Video - Step by step
    • This recipe is the BEST
    • Smokers
    • Grill
    • The Cheese
    • Making the mac and cheese
    • This Mac N' Cheese pairs great with:
    • FAQ
    • Old pro tips
    • Other Great Recipes to Try:
    • Smoked Mac and Cheese

    Video - Step by step

    This recipe is the BEST

    The extra flavor you get from this smoked mac and cheese is next level stuff guys. The smoked bacon crumbled on top also gives this cheesy goodness a nice smoky bite.

    The combination of freshly shredded cheddar cheese and gouda mixes perfectly together is packed with great flavor!

    cheese, bacon, milk, butter, and flour on wood background

    Smokers

    This smoked mac and cheese can be made in either a pellet smoker or a traditional stick burner (offset smoker).

    • I have a Recteq 590 pellet smoker and really like the ease of use. Load these with wood pellets and the temperature is held consistent with an electric auger feeding the fire.
    • Some die hard smoking guys would never part from their traditional offset smokers. Oklahoma Joe's makes a great smoker.
    a pellet smoker next to an offset smoker

    Both smokers produce great smoke and will take this mac and cheese to perfection. When it comes to wood/pellets, a hickory wood or competition blend would go great with this macaroni and cheese. Both can normally be found at your local hardware store.

    Grill

    Don't have a smoker yet but still want that extra flavor to your mac n cheese? This can totally be made in a charcoal grill or propane grill. Make sure if using a charcoal grill that it is big enough to fit the cast iron pan WITH the grill lid on.

    Charcoal grill with lid on

    The Cheese

    What makes this macaroni and cheese the best is the cheese. If you want great mac, you need GREAT cheese. This is why I use a blend of mild cheddar cheese and gouda cheese at a 2:1 ratio.

    Buy blocks of cheddar and gouda, do not buy pre-shredded cheese as it contains additives that will prevent it from melting together as well. Using a cheese grater, grate the cheese on the small holes of the grater.

    *Note - Make sure to cut the rind off of the gouda cheese before shredding.

    Cheese being grated by hand on cutting board

    Once you have 3 cups of mild cheddar cheese and 1.5 cups of gouda cheese, you can eat any remaining cheese. It's almost impossible not to eat some chunks of cheese while doing this!

    Making the mac and cheese

    Making this mac and cheese recipe in a 12" cast iron pan makes it an easy cleanup and less dishes. The pasta will need to be boiled separately, but there is something satisfying about making everything else on the smoker.

    process shots of making mac and cheese on smoker
    • Boil the water in the kitchen, cook elbow macaroni 1 minute less than the package recommends and drain. You don't want to cook it all the way, it will finish cooking in the smoker.
    • Smoke the bacon directly on the grill racks at 425°F for 10-15 minutes until done. Turn off smoker (if using a pellet smoker or lower temp to 225°F if using an offset smoker) Let the bacon cool and crumble into small pieces. Make sure the cast iron pan is in the smoker while cooking the bacon so it can pre-heat.
    • Add butter to cast iron skillet and heat several minutes until melted.
    • Stir flour and seasoning in to the melted butter.
    • Pour in milk and sour cream; stir until thickened and bubbling.
    • Add shredded cheese to the mixture and stir until it's a thick creamy cheese sauce.
    • Mix in the pre-cooked pasta and mix thoroughly.
    • Turn on smoker to 225°F and top pan with crumbled bacon.
    • Smoke for 45 minutes and serve.
    • ***CAUTION*** Make sure to use a pot holder when handling the cast iron pan!

    This Mac N' Cheese pairs great with:

    • Juicy Smoked Burgers
    • Smoked Spatchcock Chicken
    • Smoked Baby Back Ribs
    • Coney Island Hot Dogs
    • Smoked Baked Beans

    FAQ

    What kind of cheese is best?

    A mild cheddar, gouda, gruyere, pepper jack, & colby jack are the most popular

    Can I use pre-shredded cheese?

    Yes & No. You can, but it won't turn out as well. Those cheeses have additives that prevent them from melting together very well. It's better to just shred your own. It only takes a couple of minutes.

    I don't have a cast iron pan, can I use a baking pan?

    Yes! You can totally mix everything together in the kitchen in pans and then transfer to a baking pan for smoking.

    Old pro tips

    • Use a thick cut bacon like Wrights. It gives a great bite with the soft macaroni.
    • Don't wash your cast iron pan with dish soap when cleaning up. Simply use hot water and a sponge.
    • You can substitute half and half instead of sour cream if needed.
    • Add 2 diced jalapenos for a little spice!
    • Turning off the pellet smoker instead of just lowering the temperature while mixing the ingredients in the cast iron will stop the smoker from trying to maintain temp with the top open. This will prevent a temperature spike when smoking for the final 45 minutes.
    mac and cheese being spooned out of cast iron skillet

    Other Great Recipes to Try:

    • Pork Egg Foo Young (Wagner style)
    • Smoked Salmon Avocado Toast
    • Smoked Corned Beef
    smoked mac and cheese in cast iron with spoon on side

    Smoked Mac and Cheese

    HOW to smoke a creamy, cheesy, and bacon....y mac and cheese. Let's be honest, this dish goes well with EVERYTHING!
    5 from 42 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe
    Prep Time: 30 minutes
    Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Type: Smoked Side Dishes
    Servings: 10 servings
    Calories: 574kcal
    Author: Will
    Cost: $20

    Ingredients
     

    • 1 lb elbow pasta
    • 3 cups mild cheddar
    • 1.5 cups gouda cheese
    • 3 cups milk (whole)
    • ¾ cup sour cream
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • ½ cup butter
    • 4 tablespoon flour
    • 3 strips bacon (cooked and crumbled)

    Equipment

    Pellet Grill
    Pellet Smoker
    Cast Iron pan with white background
    Cast Iron Pan

    Instructions

    • Cook pasta 1 minute less than recommended time on package. Strain and set aside
    • Pre-heat smoker to 425°F and cook bacon for 10-15 minutes until done directly on smoker grate. Make sure cast iron pan is in smoker to pre-heat as well.
    • Turn off pellet smoker or lower temperature to 225°F in offset smoker.
    • Add butter to the pan and allow to melt. Once melted, stir in flour and whisk around until no clumps.
    • Pour in milk, garlic powder, and sour cream and mix until thickened and bubbling.
    • Add cheese and mix until a thick cheesy sauce is achieved.
    • Mix in cooked pasta and cook thoroughly.
    • Turn on smoker to 225°F and top the pan of mac and cheese with the crumbled bacon.
    • Smoke for 45 minutes and serve.

    Pro Tips

    • Use a thick cut bacon like Wrights. It gives a great bite with the soft macaroni.
    • Don't wash your cast iron pan with dish soap when cleaning up. Simply use hot water and a sponge.
    • You can substitute half and half instead of sour cream if needed.
    • Add 2 diced jalapenos for a little spice!
    • Turning off the pellet smoker instead of just lowering the temperature while mixing the ingredients in the cast iron will stop the smoker from trying to maintain temp with the top open. This will prevent a temperature spike when smoking for the final 45 minutes.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 574kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 19g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 101mg | Sodium: 634mg | Potassium: 343mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 789IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 619mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Smoked Mac and Cheese (plus video)
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Susan Pridmore says

      September 21, 2021 at 8:14 pm

      5 stars
      Wow! I love this idea of smoking a family favorite of mac 'n cheese. I can tell it would totally rock. And I totally agree with you about shredded cheese. It'll work, but will never be as good!!

      Reply
    2. Kayla DiMaggio says

      September 20, 2021 at 3:42 pm

      5 stars
      I can't get enough of this smoked mac and cheese! It is so delicious and so creamy! That smoke flavor is out of this world.

      Reply
    3. Michelle says

      September 20, 2021 at 12:37 pm

      5 stars
      This is heaven.

      Reply
    4. Giangi Townsend says

      September 20, 2021 at 12:36 pm

      5 stars
      Creamy, yummy cheese pasta with bacon. What not to like? Fabulous recipe and look forward to making it for my family

      Reply
    5. Chef Dennis says

      June 11, 2021 at 9:53 pm

      5 stars
      This Smoked Mac and Cheese surely made me satisfied!

      Reply
    6. Raquel says

      June 11, 2021 at 7:08 pm

      5 stars
      Creamy cheese pasta and bacon for a fantastic recipe! Sure to be a favorite!

      Reply
    7. Ramona says

      June 11, 2021 at 7:07 pm

      5 stars
      This is definitely a recipe I am saving to make asap. It sounds and looks divine and since I have a smoker I must give this beauty a try! I am drooling already.

      Reply

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