Chipotle Smoked Mac and Cheese

Name: Chipotle Smoked Mac and Cheese
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 80 min
Ingredients: 2 cups dry elbow pasta; 4 slices bacon; 4 cloves garlic; 2 Tbsp flour; 2 cups milk ((a combination of milk, half and half, and cream may be used)); 4 ounces cream cheese ((cubed)); 1½ tsp salt ((divided)); ½ tsp white pepper; 1 cup cheddar cheese; 1 cup smoked gouda; ½ 7 oz can chipotle peppers in adobo sauce ((use less or leave out if you want milder mac and cheese)); 1 cup Colby jack cheese ((shredded)); 1 bag crispy jalapenos ((optional))

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If you have a smoker, here is a must-try comfort food recipe. This crave-able Chipotle Smoked Mac and Cheese is easy to prepare, cheesy, and loaded with a smoky flavor! If you're looking for a side dish to serve with your smoked brisket, grilled ribeyes, or smoked ribs, this Smoked Mac n Cheese recipe is it!

chipotle smoked Mac and Cheese in a cast iron pan

Why This Recipe Works

This Chipotle Smoked Mac and Cheese recipe is incredibly delicious! It's prepared on the stove-top in a cast-iron skillet, then finished off on a Traeger or other pellet grill for added smoke flavor. This also means less mess and less fuss!

The Mac and Cheese can be smoked on the top rack of the grill, while the meat smokes on the bottom rack. And if you time it just right, both the smoked meat and Smoked Mac and Cheese can be ready at the same time.

Although the word "Chipotle" is part of the recipe's title, you may choose to use fewer chipotle peppers than suggested. Or leave them out entirely if you prefer your Smoked Mac n Cheese milder in flavor.

The flavor of the wood chips used to smoke Mac n Cheese depends on your preference. However, apple wood, cherry, or pecan are all wonderful options.

Recipe Ingredient Notes

Macaroni — Use macaroni noodles or elbow macaroni.
Chipotle Peppers — Canned Chipotle peppers and the adobo sauce they're canned in are an essential part of this recipe. Not only do they add spice to the recipe, but also elevate the smokiness of this dish.
Bacon — After the bacon is fried, the rendered bacon fat is mixed with flour to make a roux. If you prefer to leave the bacon out, or not use the grease, use 2 to 3 tablespoons of butter to make the roux instead.
Cheese — Four types of cheese are used in this recipe (cream cheese, Irish cheddar, smoked gouda cheese, and Colby jack). Like sharp cheddar cheese? Feel free to add it, or make substitutions. However, don't replace the cream cheese which gives the cheese sauce a creamy texture.
Crispy Jalapeños — The Crispy Jalapeños are mildly spicy and add a nice little crunch. Some recipes do this by adding crushed crackers, but I personally prefer not messing with the creamy texture. However, the crispy jalapenos are my son's latest obsession, which is why I added them... and they're so delicious!

How to Make Smoked Mac and Cheese

Set smoker to 225 degrees F.

STEP 1: Add water to a large pot and bring to a boil. Add elbow pasta to the pot of boiling water, and add 1 teaspoon salt. Set a timer for 7 minutes. Cook the pasta until al dente (not completely soft and tender).

STEP 2: Meanwhile, using a 10" cast-iron skillet, fry the bacon until crispy then drain on paper towels. Add minced garlic and fry for approximately 30 seconds. Sprinkle flour into the pan to make a roux. Stir over low heat for about a minute then turn off the heat.

STEP 3: Drain cooked pasta and add to a medium-sized bowl. Pour milk over the pasta, then add cream cheese, salt, and pepper. Shred cheddar and gouda and add, along with bacon.

pasta covered with milk and chunked cream cheese

STEP 4: Stir in the diced chipotle peppers and their sauce into the pasta, then pour the contents of the bowl into the cast iron pan. Mix with a rubber spatula to incorporate the garlic and roux that are in the pan into the pasta.

STEP 5: Cover the skillet with a lid or foil and simmer over low heat for 5 minutes. Stir pasta and place uncovered on the grill. Smoke for 30 minutes (not you, the pasta). Stir once more and sprinkle with the Colby jack cheese. Smoke, uncovered, for an additional 30 minutes.

Optional: Sprinkle the finished Macaroni and Cheese with crispy jalapeños before serving.

chipotle smoked Mac and cheese in a cast iron skillet

Recipe FAQ and Expert Tips

Can you smoke boxed Mac and cheese?

Almost anything can be smoked, including boxed Mac and Cheese. Simply pour the prepared Mac and Cheese into a 10" cast iron skillet and smoke, uncovered, at 225 degrees F. for one hour.

What can I add to macaroni and cheese to make it creamier?

There are many ingredients that can add creaminess to Macaroni and Cheese. Here are just a few:
• cream cheese
• sour cream
• Velveeta cheese
• goat cheese (if you enjoy the strong flavor)
• Mascarpone cheese

What milk is good for mac and cheese?

Whole milk is the preferred milk to use in Mac and Cheese. However, you can whisk in any of the following:
• 2% milk
• half and half (which is a combination of whole milk and cream).
• cream (but not for the entire amount of milk called for. Substitute cream for only ¼ of the amount of milk called for in the recipe).

What can I add to Mac and Cheese to make it taste better?

The following ingredients can be stirred into Mac and Cheese to improve the flavor.
• Pace Picante sauce (one of my favorites)
• favorite hot sauce
• Barbecue Sauce
• Chimichurri sauce
• Pesto
• bacon (bacon makes everything better).

If you don't own a cast-iron skillet, you can use a disposable aluminum pan instead. You'll want to spray the pan with cooking spray before pouring the pasta mixture into it.
This recipe is not meant to be smoked at a higher temperature. It will dry it out.
If the Smoked Mac and cheese gets too dried out, add additional milk (1 tablespoon per cup of pasta). You can also use half and half, or cream to rehydrate the pasta.
To make Macaroni and Cheese creamier, stir more cheese or sour cream into the pasta.
Besides bacon, you can add other pulled pork, artichoke hearts, mushrooms, chives, or whatever ingredient you are fond of.
For a crispy topping, add crumbled crackers or panko crumbs on top before smoking.
To reheat the Mac n Cheese, stir approximately 2 tablespoons of whole milk or half and half (per serving) into the Mac and Cheese. Microwave it for 30-60 seconds.
You can freeze leftover Macaroni and Cheese by placing it in an air-tight container or in a freezer Ziplock bag. Be sure to remove all the air from the bag before sealing it. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
To reheat Mac and Cheese in the oven, place it in a glass dish, stir in 2 tablespoons of milk per serving, then cover with a lid or foil and bake at 350 degrees F. for 20-30 minutes.

close up of smoked Mac and cheese in a pan

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