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Smoked mac and cheese in an iron skillet with crushed pretzels and parsley garnished on top.

Smoked Mac and Cheese

5 from 2 votes
Creamy, smoky, and topped with crunchy pretzels. Elevate comfort food in minutes!
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Prep Time:20 minutes
Cook Time:1 hour
Total Time:1 hour 20 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Brunch, Dinner, Lunch, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Easy, Homemade
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 721kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 lb elbow macaroni
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 4 cups whole milk
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded Gruyere cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup crushed pretzels for topping
  • Chopped fresh herbs for garnish chives, parsley, or thyme

Instructions

  • Cook the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
    1 lb elbow macaroni
  • In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour to create a roux. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly.
    1/2 cup unsalted butter, 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • Gradually whisk in the milk until the mixture is smooth and begins to thicken.
    4 cups whole milk
  • Stir in the Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
    1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp onion powder, Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Add the shredded cheddar, Gruyere, and Parmesan cheese. Stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce is creamy.
    3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, 1 cup shredded Gruyere cheese, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce, stirring until the macaroni is well coated.
  • Preheat your smoker to 225°F (107°C).
  • Transfer the mac and cheese to a heatproof dish suitable for smoking. Place the dish in the smoker and smoke for 30-45 minutes or until the mac and cheese has a subtle smoky flavor.
  • Remove the mac and cheese from the smoker and sprinkle the crushed pretzels over the top. Garnish with chopped fresh herbs for a burst of freshness. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
    1 cup crushed pretzels, Chopped fresh herbs for garnish

Video

@cookinglikekate Looking to elevate an American classic? Try this unique twist on smoked mac and cheese. Full recipe at Cookinglikekate.com #smokedmacandcheese #macandcheese #macandcheeserecipe #pasta #pastarecipe #pastalover #cheese #cheesy #bestmacncheese #threecheeseblend ♬ Sunshine - WIRA

Nutrition

Serving: 8servings | Calories: 721kcal | Carbohydrates: 64g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 38g | Saturated Fat: 22g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 111mg | Sodium: 600mg | Potassium: 408mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 1249IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 692mg | Iron: 2mg