Smoked Mac and Cheese is rich and creamy with smoked Gouda, sharp cheddar, crispy bacon, and a crunchy fried onion topping. It’s cooked in a cast-iron skillet on the smoker for an extra layer of smoky flavor.
Mac and cheese has always been one of my favorite comfort foods, and I’ve made it just about every way possible. This smoked version is one of my favorites when we have the smoker going.
Why I Love Smoked Mac and Cheese
“The best Mac and cheese ever”
Ingredients
About the Ingredients ⭐
- Bacon – Thick-cut bacon, diced and cooked until crisp.
- Butter & Flour – Creates the base that thickens the cheese sauce.
- Chicken Stock & Heavy Cream – Makes the sauce rich and creamy.
- Seasonings – Salt, black pepper, granulated garlic, and smoked paprika add flavor.
- Cheese – Smoked Gouda, sharp cheddar, and mozzarella make this extra creamy and cheesy.
- Crispy Fried Onions – I use French’s for a crunchy topping.
- Cavatappi Pasta – Cook according to the package directions before adding it to the cheese sauce.
Be sure to check out the full recipe and ingredient list below
How to Make Smoked Mac and Cheese
Cook the Bacon – Cook the bacon in a 12-inch cast iron skillet until crispy. Remove the bacon and leave the rendered fat in the skillet.
Make the Cheese Sauce – Melt the butter in the skillet, whisk in the flour, then add the chicken stock and seasonings. Stir until thickened, then whisk in the heavy cream.
Add the Cheese – Reduce the heat to low and gradually stir in the smoked Gouda and sharp cheddar until melted and creamy.
Assemble – Stir in the cooked cavatappi and crispy bacon. Top with mozzarella and crushed crispy fried onions.
Smoke – Smoke at 250°F for 1 hour, until bubbly and lightly crispy on top. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Tips I Found Helpful 💙
- Shred your own cheese – It melts smoother and gives you a creamier cheese sauce.
- Keep the heat low when adding cheese – High heat can make the sauce grainy.
- Don’t overcook the pasta – Cook it just to al dente since it will continue cooking on the smoker.
- Keep the bacon fat – It adds extra smoky, savory flavor to the cheese sauce.
- Let it rest – Give the mac and cheese about 10 minutes after smoking so the sauce can thicken and settle.
Questions Readers Ask Most
More Mac and Cheese Recipes. 🧀💙
Smoked Mac and Cheese
Smoked Mac and Cheese is creamy and cheesy with smoked Gouda, sharp cheddar, crispy bacon, and a crunchy fried onion topping.
Ingredients
- 3 Strips Thick Cut Bacon, Diced
- 3 Tbsp Salted Butter
- 4 Tbsp All Purpose Flour
- 2 Cups Chicken Stock
- ½ tsp Salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp granulated garlic
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- 1 Cup Heavy Cream
- 8oz Smoked Gouda, Shredded
- 1 Cup Sharp Cheddar Cheese, Shredded
- 1/2 Cup Mozzarella, Shredded
- 1 Cup Crispy Fried Onions, Crushed ( I used French’s)
- 16oz Cavatappi Pasta, Cooked To Package Instructions
Instructions
- Preheat your smoker to 250℉.
- In a 12-inch cast iron skillet over medium heat, cook the diced bacon until crispy and the fat has rendered out, about 8 minutes. Once crispy, remove and set aside, leaving the bacon fat in the pan
- In the same cast iron skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the flour and whisk, and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
- Add the chicken stock, salt, pepper, garlic, and paprika, stirring until thickened and bubbling. Whisk in the heavy cream and heat until simmering, about 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly.
- Turn the heat down to low and gradually add the gouda and cheddar cheese, stirring until fully melted.
- Stir in the cooked pasta and the crispy bacon. Sprinkle the top with the mozzarella cheese and the crushed crispy fried onions.
- Smoke for 1 hour or until bubbling around the edges and lightly crispy on top; garnish with chopped parsley and more cheese. Let sit for 10 minutes before serving, enjoy!
Notes
To make in the oven, preheat your oven to 375℉ and bake for 40 minutes.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 694Total Fat: 47gSaturated Fat: 25gUnsaturated Fat: 22gCholesterol: 157mgSodium: 1100mgCarbohydrates: 41gFiber: 3gSugar: 5gProtein: 28g
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