If you haven’t tried my Smoked Mac and Cheese, you are missing out! Infused with great smoke flavor and cheesy goodness that will have you coming back for seconds.
I love a good mac and cheese!! My mom used to make the best homemade macaroni and cheese, but never passed her recipe on to anyone else.
With the help of my husband, we have developed an awesome homemade mac and cheese that is comparable with hers, except, it’s smoked for an extra layer of flavor!! Smoking mac and cheese is a great side dish that everybody wants to enjoy.
It doesn’t matter your age because young and old, love this homemade smoked macaroni and cheese recipe. After watching my brother, Joel, cook on his Rec Teq pellet smoker, my husband decided that he wanted one to add to our collection of outdoor appliances.
Traeger Mac and Cheese
Don’t worry, any smoker such as a Traeger Smoker, will work for this pasta recipe. 4 cheese mac and cheese are our favorite side dish recipe to go along with our other smoked main dish recipes.
The flavor is very creamy and very smokey. Traeger smoked mac and cheese is a comfort food that can easily become your favorite at your next barbecue or party!
This is fully customizable and easily made and is guaranteed to be popular. My creamy, thick, and gooey smoked mac & cheese are an instant classic for any barbecue or gathering!
As an Amazon Associate, a Walmart Affiliate, and a member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases. This page contains affiliate links. Click on the highlighted text in a post to explore a product. If you purchase through one of them, I will receive a commission (at no additional cost to you). I ONLY EVER ENDORSE PRODUCTS THAT I TRULY LOVE. Thank you for your support!
Al Dente Pasta
You should make the macaroni noodles al dente. This gives the cooked pasta plenty of opportunity to take up additional moisture and flavor.
The elbow macaroni noodles will cook more in the smoker. Make sure to use a large pot of boiling hot water to cook pasta.
If the pasta is over cooked from the start, you will end up with mushy mac -n- cheese. Follow the package directions for cooking the macaroni on the package but use the lower end of the cooking time.
Make sure to drain the pasta and rinse with cold water. This step can be done a day ahead of time.
Best Cheese for Mac and Cheese
I have experimented with several different kinds of cheeses when making this recipe. It is all going to depend on what smoke flavor and texture that you want in your smoked macaroni and cheese.
I wanted the recipe to be like how my mom made us growing up. It is best to buy a brick of cheese and grate your own.
Pre shredded cheese is not recommended. That way you will not have any extra ingredients that hinder the melting process.
Freshly grated cheeses are best in this amazing recipe. Feel free to experiment with your favorite types of cheeses.
Different Cheese Options
- Colby
- Sharp Cheddar
- Velveeta – For a creamy smoked mac and cheese texture in your macaroni and cheese
- Mild Cheddar Cheese
- Parmesan Cheese
- American Cheese Slices
- Smoked Gouda Cheese
- Colby Jack
- Mozzarella
- Double Cheddar
- Cheddar Jack
- Extra Sharp Cheddar
- Medium Cheddar
- Gruyere Cheese
- If you desire a little bit of spiciness, add some Monterey Jack.
- Smoked Cheeses – I never thought to add smoked cheese to smoked mac and cheese but give it a try!
How to Make Smoked Mac and Cheese?
Cook your pasta noodles until al dente and drain off all the excess hot water and rinse with cold water. I used elbow macaroni in this recipe.
Use a 9 x 13 Pyrex baking dish. (You can also use a large cast iron skillet or an aluminum pan if you want a crispy bottom.)
Spray the inside of the baking dish with cooking spray. Gather all your ingredients to make the 4 cheese mac and cheese. Cut the Velveeta cheese into small pieces.
Grate all the cheese and set aside until ready to use. Pour about ½ cup of canned milk in the bottom of the baking dish.
Add a couple pats of butter or margarine and spread around the bottom of the pan. In an extra-large bowl, combine the cooked noodles, shredded cheese, cubed Velveeta cheese, and the rest of the canned milk.
If desired, season with about ½ teaspoon each of salt and pepper.
How to Layer Smoker Grilled Mac-n-Cheese
Pour half of this noodle/cheese mixture into the Pyrex baking dish and spread evenly.
Place the remaining butter or margarine in pats on top of the mac and cheese mixture. Then top with several slices of the American cheese.
Add the remaining noodle/cheese mixture in an even layer.
How to Smoke Mac and Cheese
Preheat the Rec Tec Pellet Smoker to 350°F. You can also use a traditional smoker and use wood chips to create your smoke.
Fill the pellet grill bin with your desired pellets. I like to use the Competition Blend pellets.
This recipe calls for indirect heat from the pellet grill. Once the smoker grill has come up to temperature, place the Pyrex baking dish onto the grill.
How Long to Smoke Mac and Cheese?
Smoke for 20 minutes and then carefully stir the mac and cheese. Add in the remaining slices of American cheese.
Continue smoking for another 40 minutes until the mac-n-cheese is bubbling around the edges. If you smoke your mac n cheese at 350°F, it will take about one hour to cook.
Do you want more smoke in your pasta dish? Start the pellet smoker at 250°F and smoke for 30 -40 minutes.
Stir and add the American cheese slices. Turn the smoker up to 350°F and continue smoking until the pellet smoked mac and cheese is bubbling around the edges.
The entire pan will not be bubbling. You want to start seeing lightly browned pieces on the top. This macaroni and cheese dish is best served hot, right off the smoker.
Macaroni and Cheese Add-Ins
- Crumbled Bacon Pieces – Cooked Crispy or Get the Prepackaged Real Bacon Bits
- Top the Mac and Cheese with Seasoned Panko Topping (breadcrumbs)
- Add some Broccoli pieces as you are layering the noodle and cheese mixture.
- A few ounces of cream cheese
- Nacho cheese sauce – That liquid gold stuff that no one can resist.
- More shredded cheese if you want a real cheesy smoked mac n cheese. Sprinkle evenly on top of each layer. More cheese makes everything better!
- Shredded Pulled Pork
Don’t have a Smoker Grill?
If you don’t have a smoker grill, you can still make this recipe. Just place the prepared baking dish of mac and cheese in the oven at 350°F.
Bake for one hour, making sure to stir after 30 minutes. You want the mac and cheese to be bubbling around the edges.
Chef Sherry Making Oven Mac and Cheese on CBS 9 & 10 News
Chef Sherry made another appearance on the CBS 9 & 10 News – Good Day Northern Michigan show. Adam Bartelmay and Eric helped me cook my homemade mac and cheese along with shrimp stir fry for Meatless Meals in Lent.
Check out my “Chef Sherry Cooks Up Some Meatless Offering for Lent“.
What to Serve with your Smoker Mac and Cheese?
If you are looking for more smoker recipes, then you have come to the right place. Non-smoker recipes also go very well with this mac and cheese. Give one of these recipes a try!!
Chicken Kabobs on the Pellet Smoker
Sweet and Spicy Smoked Pineapple
Smoked Mac and Cheese – FAQ
It is possible to prepare this ahead of time and just cook when you are ready to eat. Cook your macaroni noodles ahead of time. Prepare, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate the entire dish until ready to smoke. Make sure to take the plastic wrap off before cooking. I do not recommend cooking and reheating this dish because you will end up with a different texture mac and cheese. It can be done though, but just expect the pasta dish to be different.
If you have dry mac and cheese then you need to add more liquid, shredded cheese, and Velveeta cheese. Velveeta cheese will give you a creamy texture and help combat the dry texture. Dry mac and cheese could also be caused from over cooking.
I like to use Competition Blend pellets, but you should use your favorite pellet flavor and adjust if necessary.
Best Smoked Mac and Cheese Recipe
For the full RecTeq mac and cheese recipe and nutrition calories, click below for the recipe card.
Smoked Mac and Cheese Recipe
If you haven’t tried my Smoked Mac and Cheese, you are missing out! Infused with great smoke flavor and cheesy goodness that will have you coming back for seconds. I love a good mac and cheese!!
Ingredients
- Elbow Macaroni Noodles, Dry 1 Pound
- Colby Cheese, Freshly Shredded 1 Pound
- Extra Sharp Yellow Cheddar, Freshly Shredded 8 ounces
- Velveeta Cheese 4 ounces
- Milk, Evaporated Canned 12 ounces
- Butter 1/4 cup
- American Cheese Slices 9 Slices
Instructions
How to Make Smoked Mac and Cheese?
- Cook your elbow noodles until al dente and drain off all the excess hot water and rinse the noodles with cold water.
- Use a Pyrex baking dish thats 9 x 13. (You can also use an aluminum pan or a large cast iron skillet if you want a crispy bottom.) Spray the baking dish with cooking spray.
- Cut the Velveeta cheese brick into small pieces. Grate all the other cheeses and set aside until ready to use.
- Pour ½ cup of canned evaporated milk in the bottom of the baking dish. Add a couple pats of butter or margarine around the bottom of the pan.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked macaroni noodles, shredded cheese, cubed Velveeta cheese, and the rest of the canned milk. If desired, season with about ½ teaspoon of salt and pepper. Pour half of the noodle/cheese mixture into the baking dish and spread evenly. Place the remaining butter/margarine in pats on top of the mac and cheese mixture. Then top the mixture with several slices of the American cheese. Add the remaining noodle/cheese mixture in an even layer.
How to Smoke Mac -n- Cheese
- Preheat the Rec Tec Pellet Smoker grill to 350°F. You can also use other smokers such as Traeger grills or other smokers that use wood chips to create your smoke. Fill the smoker pellet grill bin with your desired pellets. I like to use the Competition Blend. Once the pellet smoker grill has come up to temperature, place the baking dish of macaroni and cheese onto the grill. Smoke for about 20 minutes and then carefully stir the mac and cheese mixture. Add in the last of the slices of American cheese. Continue smoking for about another 40 minutes until the mac-n-cheese is bubbling around the edges.
How Long to Smoke Macaroni and Cheese?
- If you smoke your mac -n- cheese at 350°F, it will take about one hour to cook. Do you want more smoke flavor in your pasta dish? Start the pellet smoker grill at 250°F and smoke for 30 -40 minutes. Stir and add the remaining American cheese slices. Turn the smoker up to 350°F and continue cooking until the smoked mac and cheese is bubbling around the edges. The whole pan of pasta will not be bubbling. You want to start seeing lightly golden brown pieces on the top. This macaroni and cheese dish is best served hot, right off the pellet smoker.
Notes
Best Cheese for Smoked Mac and Cheese
- Colby
- Sharp Cheddar
- Velveeta – For a creamy texture in your macaroni and cheese
- Mild Cheddar Cheese
- Extra Sharp Cheddar
- Parmesan Cheese
- American Cheese Slices
- Smoked Gouda Cheese
- Medium Cheddar
- Colby Jack
- Mozzarella
- Double Cheddar
- Cheddar Jack
- Gruyere Cheese
- Smoked Cheeses - I never thought to add smoked cheese to my smoked mac and cheese but give it a try!
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This page contains affiliate links. Click on the highlighted text in a post to explore a product. If you purchase through one of them, I will receive a commission (at no additional cost to you). I ONLY EVER ENDORSE PRODUCTS THAT I TRULY LOVE. Thank you for your support!
Nutrition Information
Yield
8Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 614Total Fat 43gSaturated Fat 26gTrans Fat 1gUnsaturated Fat 13gCholesterol 130mgSodium 1100mgCarbohydrates 25gFiber 1gSugar 6gProtein 31g
Note: For exact nutritional information, consult your dietitian. All nutritional information is simply a guideline.
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