By Becky Hardin
Published Oct 14, 2023
This Smoked Mac and Cheese is the ultimate macaroni recipe for barbecues and cookouts! It’s cooked in a super creamy cheese sauce made with cream cheese, gouda, and cheddar, then topped with panko breadcrumbs. The smoker infuses it with the most amazing flavor!
What’s in this Smoked Mac and Cheese Recipe?
Ultra-creamy and rich mac and cheese is infused with smokey flavor for a fun and unique take on a classic BBQ side dish .
- Elbow Macaroni: The classic choice for mac and cheese, although you can use any short pasta shape.
- Unsalted Butter: Adds richness to the cheese sauce, and helps bind the topping.
- All-Purpose Flour: Combines with the butter to create a roux that thickens the sauce.
- Spices : Mustard powder, ground black pepper, and garlic powder add a rich depth of flavor.
- Half-and-Half: Makes this mac and cheese sauce extra creamy and rich.
- Cream Cheese: Thickens the sauce and adds a bit of tanginess.
- Cheese: A combination of cheddar and gouda creates a creamy, flavorful mac and cheese.
- Panko Breadcrumbs: Creates a crunchy topping.
Pro Tip: Use freshly-grated cheeses, as they melt better than pre-shredded.
Variations on Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese
Feeling fancy? Try adding in some crumbled cooked bacon , diced jalapeños, shredded chicken , frozen peas, caramelized onions , or pulled pork .
I recommend a mild light wood, like cherry, maple, apple, or pecan. Mac and cheese takes on a smoky flavor quickly, so heavier wood will overpower the flavor.
You sure can! Assemble the dish fully, then place it in the refrigerator until you are ready to smoke it.
It only takes 1 hour to smoke mac and cheese. However, if you love smoky flavor, you can leave it in for up to 2 hours.
Yes! That’s why we keep the temperature at 225°F. Any hotter, and you risk overcooking the noodles.
Yes! You can either create a smoker using your grill and a smoker box, or you can bake this mac and cheese in the oven . If you bake it in the oven, use smoked gouda cheese to add that smoky flavor.
How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover smoked mac and cheese in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat covered with aluminum foil in a 350°F oven for 20 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for another 10 minutes, until hot and bubbly.
How to Freeze
Freeze macaroni and cheese in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Serving Suggestions
This smoked macaroni and cheese pairs perfectly with your favorite grilled dishes , like juicy grilled burgers , grilled chicken wings , St. Louis grilled ribs , or grilled salmon . Add a side of coleslaw or corn salad for a complete meal.
More Smoker Recipes We Love
- Smoked Ribs
- Smoked Ham
- Smoked Chicken Wings
- Smoked Pulled Pork
- Smoked Turkey Breast
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 1 pound dry elbow macaroni
- ▢ ½ cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
- ▢ 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ▢ 1 tablespoon mustard powder
- ▢ ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ▢ ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ▢ 2 cups half-and-half
- ▢ 4 ounces cream cheese (½ brick)
- ▢ 2 cups freshly shredded cheddar cheese
- ▢ 1½ cups shredded or cubed gouda cheese
For the Topping
- ▢ 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- ▢ ¼ cup unsalted butter (½ stick)
Video
Instructions
- Cook the pasta to al dente according to the package directions. Drain and set aside. 1 pound dry elbow macaroni
- Preheat your smoker or BBQ to 225°F. Add wood chips to the coals or fit your BBQ with a smoking box.
- Melt the butter in a 12-inch cast iron skillet set over medium heat. Add in the flour, and whisk to combine. Cook for 1 minute. ½ cup unsalted butter, 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- Whisk in the mustard powder, black pepper, and garlic powder. 1 tablespoon mustard powder, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Slowly add in the half-and-half, while whisking constantly. 2 cups half-and-half
- Bring to a simmer and stir in the cream cheese until completely melted. 4 ounces cream cheese
- Stir in the cheeses until melted. Remove from the heat and stir in the cooked macaroni noodles. 2 cups freshly shredded cheddar cheese, 1½ cups shredded or cubed gouda cheese
- In a medium bowl, stir together the panko and butter. Evenly sprinkle this over the mac and cheese. 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs, ¼ cup unsalted butter
- Smoke for 1 hour and serve.
Equipment
- Smoker OR
- Grill AND
- Smoker Box
- Cast Iron Skillet
Becky’s Tips
- You can substitute gruyere for the gouda.
- Use freshly-grated cheeses, as they melt better than pre-shredded.
- You can also smoke this in a disposable foil pan.
- You can use a BBQ smoker box to convert your grill into a smoker.
- Use mild-flavored wood chips, like apple, cherry, pecan, or maple.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Our Best Mac and Cheese Recipes
- Mac and Cheese Casserole
- Crockpot Mac and Cheese
- Loaded Mac and Cheese
- Lobster Mac and Cheese
- Pesto Mac and Cheese
- Mexican Mac and Cheese
- White Cheddar Mac and Cheese
Smoked Mac and Cheese Recipe
Equipment
- Smoker OR
- Grill AND
- Smoker Box
- Cast Iron Skillet
Ingredients
- 1 pound dry elbow macaroni
- ½ cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
- 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon mustard powder
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 cups half-and-half
- 4 ounces cream cheese (½ brick)
- 2 cups freshly shredded cheddar cheese
- 1½ cups shredded or cubed gouda cheese
For the Topping
- 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup unsalted butter (½ stick)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta to al dente according to the package directions. Drain and set aside. 1 pound dry elbow macaroni
- Preheat your smoker or BBQ to 225°F. Add wood chips to the coals or fit your BBQ with a smoking box.
- Melt the butter in a 12-inch cast iron skillet set over medium heat. Add in the flour, and whisk to combine. Cook for 1 minute. ½ cup unsalted butter, 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- Whisk in the mustard powder, black pepper, and garlic powder. 1 tablespoon mustard powder, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Slowly add in the half-and-half, while whisking constantly. 2 cups half-and-half
- Bring to a simmer and stir in the cream cheese until completely melted. 4 ounces cream cheese
- Stir in the cheeses until melted. Remove from the heat and stir in the cooked macaroni noodles. 2 cups freshly shredded cheddar cheese, 1½ cups shredded or cubed gouda cheese
- In a medium bowl, stir together the panko and butter. Evenly sprinkle this over the mac and cheese. 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs, ¼ cup unsalted butter
- Smoke for 1 hour and serve.
Video
Notes
- You can substitute gruyere for the gouda.
- Use freshly-grated cheeses, as they melt better than pre-shredded.
- You can also smoke this in a disposable foil pan.
- You can use a BBQ smoker box to convert your grill into a smoker.
- Use mild-flavored wood chips, like apple, cherry, pecan, or maple.
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
