CREAMY Smoked Mac and Cheese (No Velveeta)

This Smoked Mac and Cheese recipe is pure comfort with a creamy blend of three types of cheeses and crispy bacon, all infused with a rich, smoky flavor. Tuck into a warm bowl of this savory, indulgent dish and enjoy the moment.

Brace yourself for a dish that captures the essence of cozy evenings by the campfire, infusing classic comfort food with wood-fired flavor. This smoked mac and cheese recipe has what you expect: creamy cheese sauce using different types of cheeses such as sharp cheddar, Gouda, and Monterey jack. Plus, maybe a topping of crispy bacon to add texture and flavor.

Yes, it’s actually very creamy. Smoked mac and cheese can be tricky to make. Adding a cheese sauce to the smoker tends to get oily or clumpy because the cheese sauce can break with the higher heat.

My goal was to make this recipe cheesy and creamy, with plenty of smoke flavor. You won’t find Velveeta, American cheese, or cream cheese in this recipe either!

Try pairing this recipe with Smoked Chicken Thighs, Smoked Baked Beans, Brisket Burnt Ends, Smoked Potato Skins, or even Smoked Beef Ribs.

There are so many recipes out there for smoked mac and cheese, and I’ve been testing for well over a year to find the creamiest and BEST mac and cheese I could come up with.

Key Ingredients for Smoked Mac and Cheese

I’ll share my favorite combination, but read along for tips to customize the pasta, sauce, and mix-ins.

Preferred Pasta

Elbow macaroni is classic for a reason, it just works. The small size and tubular shape have an optimal bite-to-sauce ratio and cook quickly. Make sure you choose any shape of pasta that is smaller, with tube-like shapes, or shells. If it’s good enough for a cold pasta dish such as Southern macaroni salad, it will work here.

Top Cheese Choices

These are my favorite combination of cheeses to maintain a creamy sauce, provide full-bodied flavor, and pair well with wood-fired smoke. If you’re looking for substitutions, I have a breakdown below.

NOTE: Do not use pre-shredded cheese for this recipe. It will cause the cheese sauce to be grainy instead of smooth and may clump during the smoking process.

• Sharp Cheddar: The signature sharp and rich flavors are key to this smoked mac n cheese recipe. This cheese has flavors that complement BBQ dishes. It melts easily into the mornay sauce and provides a nice color when it emerges from the smoker. Purchase a high-quality sharp cheddar and shred it by hand.
• Gouda: Adding this cheese is worth the cost, trust me. It has a milder flavor than cheddar with notes of an aged smoke flavor. The most important part is that Gouda cheese melts perfectly, adding the ooey-gooey creaminess that this sauce really needs. Don’t bother with smoked Gouda, as this will get smoked for an hour and tends to be overwhelming with flavor.
• Monterey Jack: This mild cheese has the softest texture and melts the best of the three. It has a slightly tangy flavor while providing most of the creaminess for the cheese sauce.

Cheese Variations

Sharp cheddar cheese is the foundation for this smoked mac and cheese, but don’t let that stop you from experimenting. Generally, you’ll want to pick one of the foundational cheeses, and two of the melting cheeses to complement it.

Flavor Foundation

These are essential for building the flavor:

• White Cheddar: The flavor is pretty spot-on to the orange Sharp Cheddar, minus the color. This will be the closest substitute for texture and taste.
• Gruyere: Probably my favorite substitute for cheddar would be Gruyere cheese, which is nutty, salty, and creamy. Even though it’s a firm cheese, it melts incredibly well. It could also fall into the Melty Cheese category below.
• Colby: This orange-colored cheese is similar to cheddar cheese in texture and flavor, having a subtle nutty note.

Melting Cheeses

These cheeses will ensure the sauce melts well:

• Pepper Jack: This is the spicy cousin to Monterey jack and tastes incredibly delicious. I’d highly recommend substituting this for a nice kick.
• Brie: Talk about a wild substitute. Brie cheese is nutty, fruity, incredibly creamy, and buttery rich. Make sure the rind is removed, and the cheese is cubed or sliced into smaller pieces when adding. It’s generally far too soft for grating.
• Havarti: This cheese is similar to Monterey jack but with more flavor. Flavors can vary based on age, which could make it more sharp.
• Muenster: Similar to brie cheese, this melts extremely easily. It has a buttery, mild flavor. When using Muenster, I highly recommend pairing it with a stronger cheese such as cheddar.
• Colby Jack: Extremely melty, and mild in flavor, this cheese is a safe bet when looking for a mellow cheese to use in the cheese sauce.

Optional Toppings

Homemade mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food, so why not push it a little further? Let’s add flavor to the top of the mac.

This base recipe uses extra shredded cheese from the cheese mixture on top before being placed in the pellet grill, but there are plenty of other additions you can use.

• Parmesan cheese. Savory, salty, and nutty flavors elevate every bite.
• Panko bread crumbs. Toast them for a few minutes with unsalted butter and sprinkle on top of the shredded cheese for a crunchy bite. The golden brown topping takes it to a whole new level.
• Crumbled bacon. Bacon mac and cheese is a delicious thing, and you’ll see in the recipe card that we’re already using bacon…. so why not cook a little extra for the topping? Try making smoked bacon crumbles!

How to Make Smoked Mac and Cheese

Now that you’ve read through the foundations and substitutes, it’s time to make the meal! There are a few main steps:

1. Cook the pasta. Start by cooking the pasta until al dente. Use the package instructions for timing, and don’t forget to salt the water. This means the pasta will just barely be fully cooked, to where it still has a little bite.
2. Make the roux. Melt the stick of butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Once melted, add in the flour and whisk to incorporate. Continue to whisk for about 4-5 minutes, cooking out the raw flavor of the flour, and make a golden, smooth roux.

3. Add the milk, cream, and seasonings. Keep the cream and milk warm in a small saucepan on the side. Slowly pour the warmed dairy into the roux using 1/2 cup at a time, whisking to thicken the sauce. Add in the spices and whisk constantly while the sauce is simmering, just until thickened.

4. Whisk in the cheeses and melt. Once the sauce has just started to thicken, turn off the heat. Set 1 cup of the shredded cheese to the side for topping at the end. Slowly add in the cheese about 1/2 cup at a time and whisk to melt.
   If the cheeses aren’t melting completely, return the pan to LOW heat on the stove and keep whisking until the sauce is smooth.

5. Mixing in add-ins. Here’s the chance to add bacon, scallions, or anything else you’d like to mix in. Add the cooked pasta, and the add-ins, then pour in the cheesy mornay sauce in a large foil pan, about 9″ x 13″. Mix everything together gently to make sure the pasta is completely coated.

Don’t forget to TASTE and adjust as necessary. Perhaps you need more salt, pepper, or spices. This is your last chance!

Options for Add-ins

This is where things can get really fun with layering flavors to the smoked mac and cheese. The key is to add ingredients that don’t have a lot of liquid or grease. Make sure to drain off any excess liquid before stirring in, otherwise, the sauce may not stay creamy.

• Bacon – This is at the top of my list. Prepare it in the oven, or even add a handful of Smoked Bacon Crumbles for an extra pop of flavor.
• Hatch Chiles – Typically these will come in cans or jars when it’s not in season, and they add a rich buttery flavor which is perfect with cheese. Try a few spoonfuls of the Roasted Hatch Chile Jam for a sweet heat.
• Jalapenos – Fresh chiles will be quite spicy, so dice them up finely. Pickled jalapenos add a nice tang, just make sure to drain the liquid. The Smoked Pickled Jalapenos are amazing in this smoked mac and cheese.
• Scallions – Green onions or chives have a nice subtle pop of herby flavor which helps cut through the richness.
• Blue cheese – Crumble in the good stuff and you’ll be surprised with every bite. Try it with some added cayenne for a throwback to buffalo sauce flavors.

6. Top with remaining cheese and seasonings. Use the reserved 1 cup of mixed cheeses and sprinkle evenly across the top. You may have added the seasonings in the last step, but a little dash of BBQ seasoning such as the Signature Sweet & Smoky Rub will add a nice crust for the top.

6. Smoking the mac and cheese. Set your smoker to 250°F and place the pan inside. Allow the mac and cheese to smoke for 45-60 minutes. You’ll notice the top starts to darken slightly, it’s not going to be dark and crispy. There should be very little grease on the top as well.

Tips for Creamy Mac and Cheese Sauce

• Use cooked macaroni noodles. This recipe will not work if you add uncooked pasta to the cheese sauce, they must be al dente when combined and smoked.
• Use a combination of cheeses. Read the guide above, and make sure you use a blend of cheddar with creamy cheeses such as Gouda, Pepper jack, or Monterey jack.
• Shred your own cheese. Pre-shredded cheese is coated with chemicals or cornstarch and will create a funny texture in the sauce that can turn grainy. Take a minute and shred your own cheese.
• Don’t add too many greasy mix-ins. It might be tempting to throw big chunks of pork belly or brisket in there, but the fat will cause the cheese sauce to break apart and be greasy. Keep those cuts of meat for Smoked Baked Beans, stick with crispy bacon for this recipe.
• All-purpose flour is key. Other flours can cause the mornay sauce (cheese sauce) to be grainy. AP flour tends to be more finely ground and is very consistent.
• Use warm milk and cream. When it’s time to whisk in the dairy, make sure it isn’t added straight from the jug. Measure out the cream and milk and warm them in a small saucepan on the stove on low.
• Don’t use non-fat milk. Creamy cheese sauce requires fat, so I recommend 2% or whole milk if possible. The same goes with the heavy cream, don’t use half & half.
• Don’t boil the sauce. Using medium-low heat should allow the sauce to lightly simmer, which is all you need. Boiling the sauce can form a skin on the surface, thicken the sauce too much, or cause the solids to clump together.
• Use room temperature cheese. Shred the cheeses and set them aside while you prepare the rest. Cold cheese added to a hot sauce will affect the creamy texture.
• Remove sauce from heat before adding cheese. Whisk the room-temperature cheese in slowly, otherwise, the heat from the sauce can break down the proteins and create a clumpy sauce.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I prepare the smoked macaroni and cheese ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare this the day before. Cook the pasta and prepare the cheesy sauce and mix them together first. Place the mac and cheese in the fridge covered.

The mac and cheese will need to be warmed up on the stove at a low temperature, adding a little warm milk to loosen it up. Once it’s creamy and warm, add it to the foil pan and top with the layer of cheese. From there, follow the normal instructions for smoking.

NOTE: The smoked mac and cheese will not be as creamy if you prepare it ahead of time. I highly recommend making and serving it on the same day if possible.

Can I smoke the mac and cheese in a skillet?
Yes, you can use a cast iron skillet for smoking the mac and cheese. Make sure you use a 12″ or 14″ skillet to do so, as a 10″ skillet will be too small for this serving.

More Side Dishes to Love

• Smoked Beef Shots with Beef Bacon
• Loaded Baked Potato Jalapeno Poppers
• Nashville Hot Pickle Potato Salad
• Zucchini Squash Skewers
• Smoked Buffalo Chicken Dip
• Grilled Broccoli Crunch Salad
• Hatch Chile Smoked Shrimp

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