Indulge your taste buds in a culinary journey with our smoky mac n' cheese, an exquisite dish that elevates the classic comfort food to new heights. This recipe symphony features a creamy and luscious béchamel sauce infused with the rich, smoky flavors of bacon and paprika. Perfectly al dente macaroni noodles nestle in this flavorful sauce, creating a harmonious blend of textures.
Alongside this classic rendition, we present two enticing variations that add unique twists to the beloved dish. One recipe introduces tender pieces of succulent chicken, bathed in a tantalizing blend of spices, while the other incorporates roasted red peppers, adding a vibrant pop of color and a touch of sweetness. Each variation promises a distinct flavor profile, ensuring that every palate finds its perfect match.
Whether you prefer the traditional smoky mac n' cheese, the protein-packed chicken mac n' cheese, or the vibrant roasted red pepper mac n' cheese, this recipe collection caters to diverse preferences, promising a delightful culinary experience. So gather your ingredients, prepare your taste buds, and embark on a journey of cheesy, smoky goodness.
SMOKED MAC AND CHEESE
This smoked mac and cheese is slow cooked in a smoker.
Provided by Taste Bud
Categories Meat and Poultry Recipes Pork
Time 4h
Yield 10
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line a pizza pan with aluminum foil; lay bacon strips on top.
- Bake bacon in the preheated oven until browned and crisp, about 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain.
- Drain bacon slices on paper towels and allow to cool slightly, about 5 minutes. Place in the bowl of a food processor; pulse until crumbly.
- Preheat a smoker to 275 to 300 degrees F (135 to 150 degrees C). Add wood chips according to manufacturer's directions.
- Mix together cream, Cheddar cheese, Colby-Jack cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, butter, and barbeque rub in the warm pasta pot; add drained macaroni. Mix well and let the cheese melt. Pour into a 9x13-inch aluminum pan and sprinkle bacon on top.
- Place the pan on the rack in the preheated smoker. Cook until cheese is bubbly, about 3 1/2 hours.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 847.1 calories, Carbohydrate 30.2 g, Cholesterol 170.8 mg, Fat 69.5 g, Fiber 1.1 g, Protein 26.7 g, SaturatedFat 34.2 g, Sodium 1434.5 mg, Sugar 1.5 g
SHANNON'S SMOKY MACARONI AND CHEESE
This recipe is the best Mac & Cheese you'll ever have. It is literally one of 3 meals everyone in my family will eat. The smoked gouda gives this dish its smoky rich flavor. It's a gourmet grown-up version of the kiddie classic. Take any leftovers and cut into bite-sized squares, bread, and deep fry for a yummy snack.
Provided by S.Michael
Categories Main Dish Recipes Pasta Macaroni and Cheese Recipes Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipes
Time 1h15m
Yield 10
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Fill a pot with lightly-salted water and bring to a boil. Stir the macaroni into the water and return to a boil. Cook and occasionally stir until the pasta has cooked through, but is still firm to the bite, about 8 minutes; drain.
- Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the flour to the melted butter and whisk continually for 1 to 2 minutes to make a roux. Whisk 2 cups of the milk into the roux until smooth and then add the remaining milk. Raise the heat to medium-high and continue cooking and stirring until thickened, but not boiling. Stir the Gouda, Cheddar, Swiss, and 1 cup Parmesan cheese into the mixture; once the cheeses have melted completely, fold the drained macaroni into the mixture to coat. Pour the macaroni mixture into a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Stir 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, bread crumbs, and cayenne pepper together in a small bowl; sprinkle over the macaroni. Drizzle the olive oil over the bread crumbs.
- Bake in the preheated oven until golden and bubbly, about 30 minutes. Allow to rest 10 minutes before cutting.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 651.3 calories, Carbohydrate 50.7 g, Cholesterol 106.5 mg, Fat 35.1 g, Fiber 1.9 g, Protein 32.4 g, SaturatedFat 20.5 g, Sodium 712.1 mg, Sugar 8.9 g
SMOKY MAC 'N CHEESE
My mother used to make mac n' cheese with tomatoes, so when I tried this recipe which I adapted from a canned tomato ad we loved it, even though it was quite different from Mom's. It is very different from our usual mac 'n cheese (which I already posted)and very good! Note 1: When I made this recipe I wanted to use up some evaporated milk that I had in the refrigerator - which was 1/2 can - this can easily be changed to using all cream or all evaporated milk to equal 1 1/2 cups total cream/evaporated milk. Note 2: cheese--I had about 1/2 pound of smoked and about 1/2 pound of regular Cheddar--although you should use some smoked Cheddar, I think his recipe is very adaptable to use whatever cheese is on hand and my amounts of cheese may be a little off by more or less than the amount listed in the ingredients as I did not measure the cheese but used what I had on hand. Note 3: I didn't use the hot dogs or little smokies but thought they would be great in this casserole.
Provided by ellie_
Categories Cheese
Time 1h
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 375-degrees F.
- Cook macaroni according to package directions, drain.
- Spray a 13 x 9 baking pan with Pam (cooking spray) or grease pan and set aside.
- In a large saucepan heat cream and evaporated milk (see note 1 in description), mustard, salt and pepper to boiling.
- Reduce heat and stir in cheese (see note 2 in description)with a whisk or a wooden spoon until melted and smooth.
- REMOVE FROM HEAT.
- Stir in tomatoes, onions and hotdogs or little smokies(if using).
- Put macaroni in baking pan and pour sauce over, mixing in the cheese sauce well so all the macaroni is well covered (this can be done in a separate saucepan or bowl but by mixing in the pan there is one less dish to wash).
- In a small bowl mix together bread crumbs and Parmesan (or if you are making your own bread crumbs in a blender you can add the Parmesan and just whirl the bread crumbs and Parmesan in the blender -- one less dish to wash).
- Sprinkle breadcrumb/Parmesan mixture over the macaroni/cheese in the baking dish.
- Bake for 20-30 minutes or until bubbly and golden brown.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 1311.7, Fat 70.6, SaturatedFat 41.7, Cholesterol 217.1, Sodium 1605.9, Carbohydrate 110.8, Fiber 6, Sugar 8.4, Protein 58
SMOKED MAC AND CHEESE
I found this smoked mac and cheese recipe years ago in a magazine, and kept adding and taking away ingredients until I found the perfect combination. You can bake it in the oven, but grilling or smoking the dish is the real way to go. -Stacey Dull, Gettysburg, Ohio
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Side Dishes
Time 1h
Yield 2 casseroles (8 servings each).
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Preheat grill or smoker to 350°. Cook pasta according to package directions for al dente. Drain and transfer to a large bowl. Stir in Velveeta, 1 cup smoked cheddar, cheddar cheese, milk, eggs, heavy cream, half-and-half, provolone, Colby-Monterey Jack, pepper jack, salt, pepper, paprika and, if desired, liquid smoke and cayenne pepper., Transfer to 2 greased 13x9-in. baking pans; sprinkle with remaining 1 cup smoked cheddar cheese. Place on grill or smoker rack. Grill or smoke, covered, until a thermometer reads at least 160°, 20-25 minutes, rotating pans partway through cooking. Do not overcook. Let stand 10 minutes before serving; if desired, sprinkle with bacon.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 403 calories, Fat 23g fat (13g saturated fat), Cholesterol 117mg cholesterol, Sodium 670mg sodium, Carbohydrate 30g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 18g protein.
Tips:
- Use a blend of cheeses: A combination of sharp cheddar, Gruyère, and Parmesan cheeses provides a rich, flavorful mac and cheese. You can also experiment with other cheeses, such as Gouda, Fontina, or Monterey Jack.
- Cook the macaroni al dente: This will ensure that the pasta retains a slight bite and doesn't become mushy when baked.
- Make a roux: A roux is a mixture of butter and flour that helps to thicken the sauce. Be sure to cook the roux until it is golden brown, as this will add a nutty flavor to the mac and cheese.
- Use smoked paprika: Smoked paprika adds a smoky, slightly spicy flavor to the mac and cheese. You can adjust the amount of smoked paprika to taste.
- Top with panko breadcrumbs: Panko breadcrumbs add a crispy, golden-brown topping to the mac and cheese. You can also use crushed crackers or cornflakes.
- Bake until bubbly and golden brown: The mac and cheese is ready when it is bubbly and the top is golden brown. This usually takes about 20 minutes.
Conclusion:
Smoky mac and cheese is a delicious and comforting dish that is perfect for any occasion. It is easy to make and can be customized to your liking. With a few simple tips, you can make the perfect smoky mac and cheese that your family and friends will love.
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