Description
A comforting and smoky twist on classic mac and cheese, featuring sharp cheddar and mozzarella cheeses.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 4 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 cups whole milk
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat your smoker to 225°F. If you don’t have a smoker, you can use an oven set to 350°F and add a few drops of liquid smoke to the cheese sauce for a smoky flavor.
- Cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Once melted, whisk in the flour and cook for about 1 minute until bubbly.
- Gradually whisk in the milk, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens and bubbles, about 5-7 minutes.
- Stir in the garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Remove from heat and add the shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, stirring until melted and smooth.
- Combine the cooked macaroni with the cheese sauce, mixing well to coat all the pasta.
- Transfer the mac and cheese to a large cast-iron skillet or a baking dish.
- In a small bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs with olive oil and Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle the mixture evenly over the mac and cheese.
- Place the skillet or baking dish in the smoker and cook for 30-40 minutes, or until the top is golden and crispy. If using the oven, bake for 20-25 minutes.
- Remove from the smoker or oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Garnish with chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
- For a spicy kick, add diced jalapeños or a few dashes of hot sauce to the cheese sauce.
- Experiment with different cheeses such as gouda or pepper jack for a unique flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking/Smoking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 70mg