Description
Indulge in a smoky twist on a classic comfort dish with this Smoked Mac and Cheese recipe. Imagine creamy elbow macaroni enveloped in a rich cheese sauce, enhanced by the aromatic flavors of smoked gouda and paprika. Perfect for family gatherings or BBQs, this dish is sure to impress with its crunchy panko topping. Easy to customize, it’s an experience that brings everyone together around the table.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz elbow macaroni
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup smoked gouda cheese, shredded
- 2 cups whole milk
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your smoker to 225°F (107°C). Soak wood chips if using.
- Cook the elbow macaroni in salted boiling water until al dente (8-10 minutes). Drain and set aside.
- In a pot, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour until bubbly, then gradually stir in milk until thickened (3-5 minutes).
- Add sharp cheddar and smoked gouda to the sauce, stirring until melted. Mix in smoked paprika.
- Fold the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce until well coated, then transfer to a greased baking dish.
- Top with panko breadcrumbs and drizzle with melted butter if desired.
- Place in the smoker for 30-40 minutes until bubbly and golden brown.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Smoking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (approx. 240g)
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 60mg