Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
- 4 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 cups smoked gouda cheese, shredded
- 1 cup cream cheese, cubed
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 4 cups whole milk
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs (for topping)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for topping)
Instructions
Creating Homemade Traeger Smoked Mac And Cheese is easier than you might think. Just follow these straightforward steps:
- Preheat Traeger Grill: Set your Traeger grill to 225°F (107°C) and allow it to heat up.
- Cook the Pasta: In a large pot, boil salted water and cook the elbow macaroni until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare Cheese Sauce: In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add flour and whisk for about one minute until smooth.
- Add Milk: Gradually whisk in the whole milk, stirring continuously to avoid lumps. Cook until the mixture thickens, roughly 5-7 minutes.
- Add Cheese: Reduce heat to low and add sharp cheddar, smoked gouda, and cream cheese to the thickened mixture. Stir until all the cheese is melted and smooth.
- Season the Sauce: Mix in garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust as needed.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the drained macaroni to the cheese sauce, mixing well to ensure the pasta is evenly coated.
- Prepare for Baking: Transfer the macaroni and cheese into a large, oven-safe dish.
- Add Topping: In a small bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs and olive oil. Sprinkle the mixture evenly over the mac and cheese.
- Smoke the Dish: Place the prepared dish in the Traeger grill and smoke for 30-35 minutes until the top is golden brown and bubbly.
- Serve: Carefully remove from the grill, let it cool slightly, and serve hot.
Each step brings you closer to enjoying a plate of rich, smoky, and cheesy goodness that your guests will simply adore!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40-45 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8-10 servings
- Calories: 500 kcal
- Fat: 30g
- Protein: 20g