Smoked Mac and Cheese
Mac and Cheese is a comfort food in and of itself, but add in green chiles, bacon, pulled pork and barbecue sauce... Throw it all in the smoker and allow it pick up smokey notes of delicious and you have a recipe that you won't be able to stop eating!
Equipment
- 1 Large Cast Iron Skillet/Dutch Oven
- Stovetop
- Smoker
Ingredients
- 1 lb Elbow Macaroni
- ½ C Butter
- 4 Tbsp Flour
- 1 Tbsp Mustard Powder
- 2 C Half and Half
- 4 oz Cream Cheese
- 3 C Cheddar Cheese
- 1 ½ C Gouda Cheese
Breadcrumb Topping
- 1 C Panko Breadcrumbs
- ¼ C Butter
- 2 Tbsp Favorite Sweet BBQ Rub
Mix-Ins (All Amounts Approximate - Add Until the Ratios Look "Right")
- 1 pkg Thick Cut Bacon Crisped and Crumbled
- 1 Large Can Whole Green Chiles Roasted/Blackened and Diced
- ¾ lb Pulled Pork
- Hot Sauce of Choice For Serving
- BBQ Sauce of Choice For Serving
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the macaroni noodles according to package directions until al dente.
- Preheat your smoker to 225°F and fill with your favorite wood. A milder wood will work better, especially if your pulled pork has a heavy smoke flavor. We like apple, cherry, or peach.
- Heat the cast iron over medium heat on the stove. Melt ½ cup of better in the skillet and then whisk in the flour until a smooth, thin paste forms. Next, mix in the mustard powder.
- Pour in the half and half and bring the sauce to a boil while whisking continuously. Reduce the heat and whisk in the cream cheese until smooth. Lastly, whisk in the cheddar cheese and gouda cheese and stir until melted.
- Turn off the heat and pour in the cooked macaroni noodles. Stir gently until the noodles are coated in the sauce.
- Combine the melted butter, sweet barbecue rub, and panko breadcrumbs in a small bowl. Sprinkle over the top of the mac and cheese.
- Stir in the bacon, green chiles and pulled pork.
- Place the skillet in the smoker and smoke for 1 hour. You can smoke for up to 2 hours if you want a stronger smoke flavor, but the noodles will take on quite a bit of smoke rather quickly.
- Serve drizzled with barbecue sauce and hot sauce if desired.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!