Smoked Mac and Cheese

Ingredients

·        1 pound elbow macaroni or cellentani pasta See notes

·        4 tablespoons butter

·        3 tablespoons flour

·        2 cups milk 

·        1 cup heavy whipping cream

·        1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika 

·        1/2 teaspoon onion powder

·        salt and pepper to taste

·        2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

·        1 1/2 cups shredded gouda cheese

·        1 cup shredded gruyère cheese

·        cooking oil

Instructions

1.                  Preheat smoker to 225 degrees.

Pasta

1.                  Cook the pasta in a large pot in accordance with the instructions on the package.

2.                  Drain the pasta and rinse with cold water.

Cheese Sauce

1.                  Heat a saucepan or skillet on medium heat. Add the butter and allow it to melt.

2.                  Once melted, add the flour and whisk.

3.                  This will create a roux. Continue to whisk until the four is fully combined.

4.                  Add the milk and heavy whipping cream and stir.

5.                  Add half of all of the shredded cheeses and stir until the cheese is melted.

6.                  Add the onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper to taste. Taste repeatedly. This step is important because this sauce is what the mac and cheese will taste like. Adjust and add additional spices if necessary.

7.                  Return the pasta to the large pot. Drizzle the cheese sauce over the pasta and stir until fully combined.

Mac and Cheese

1.                  Spray a 12 inch cast iron with cooking oil. You can also use a 9×13 inch baking dish.

2.                  Begin to layer in the pasta. Start with the pasta, then add a layer using some of the remaining shredded cheese.

3.                  Add another layer of pasta, and then another layer of cheese.

4.                  Smoke for 1-2 hours until the cheese on top has melted.

The dish will take 50-60 minutes to cook on the smoker. In my experience, after an hour, it only has a slight smoky flavor. If you want a strong smoky flavor you will need to cook it for around 2 hours.

5.                  I like for my mac and chese to have a crunchy top and creamy interior so once the dish is finished smoking, I place it in the oven on Broil for 3 minutes until browned on top.

Grocery List:

1 pound elbow cellentani pasta

4 tablespoons butter

3 tablespoons flour

2 cups milk 

1 cup heavy whipping cream

1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika 

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

salt and pepper to taste

16oz shredded mild cheddar cheese

16oz White sharp cheddar cheese

cooking oil