Smoked Macaroni and Cheese
Smoked Macaroni & Cheese. Yep.
Anyone can make this, as long as you have a smoker. I love the Masterbuilt Electric Smoker (it even has a remote!), and I’m pretty sure I’ve gotten my money’s worth already. You can also use any macaroni and cheese recipe you like – just be sure to use one that’s flavorful and very creamy.
Why creamy? The time spent in the smoker does dry it out a bit, which is to be expected when pasta sits in a smoky environment for an hour and a half. Why flavorful? Well, the smoke will overwhelm the cheesy flavor, so you want to be sure you can still taste the cheese. I opted to use (don’t laugh!) Velveeta Queso Blanco, because it’s mild, but very creamy. I also used a lot of Kerrygold Dubliner. It’s mild, yes, but still very flavorful. A great sharp cheddar would be a great addition as well. Or pepperjack. Yum.
Have you ever made smoked macaroni and cheese? Or anything else unusual in the smoker? Please share!
Smoked Macaroni and Cheese
Rating: 4
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour, 50 minutes
Yield: 6-8 servings
Ingredients
13.25 ounce box elbow macaroni ( I prefer Dreamfields)
pinch of salt
1 cup heavy cream
5 tablespoons butter
1 1/2 cups Velveeta Queso Blanco
1 1/2 cups grated Kerrygold Dubliner Cheese
5 Wasa Light Rye Crispbreads, pulverized (or 1.2 cup breadcrumbs)
Instructions
Boil water and salt. When boiling, add macaroni and cook to al dente. Drain pasta and return to pot.
Add butter and cream and stir to combine. Add cheese slowly and stir to melt thoroughly. If not a bit on the soupy side, add more cream or milk. Taste and season as desired.
Pour prepared macaroni and cheese into disposable aluminum pan. Place pan in smoker on top shelf at 225 degrees and allow to smoke for 1- 1 1/2 hours.
Remove from smoker. Stir pasta and top with a little more grated cheese and the pulverized Wasa (or breadcrumbs). Place in preheated 300 degree oven for 5 minutes, or until cheese on top is melted.
As you read this, I am likely on a plane to Boston for the weekend. We are off to visit friends from college, do a little sightseeing, eat a lot of good food, and hopefully, relax until Monday night.
I doubt I do any of that. You know me.
Anything I HAVE to see? Something I HAVE to eat? We’ll be staying near Harvard Square in Cambridge, and ANY suggestions would be much appreciated!
