APPS & SIDES

Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese

Prep Time: 10 mins

Cook Time: 1 hr 15 mins1hour hr 20minutes minshouminut

Total Time: 1hours  25minutes 

Fulfill your mac and cheese craving with smoked gouda mac and cheese! Everything from the perfectly cooked pasta to the decadent, smoke-infused cheese sauce makes this a five-star side. Any mild-flavored wood will work, but applewood is best since it gives the mac and cheese a delicious bacon-like taste.

Ingredients

Serving Sizes

 

  • 1 pound dry elbow macaroni
  • ½ cup unsalted butter
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups half and half, slightly warm
  • 2 cups heavy cream, slightly warm
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 ½ teaspoons fine sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 3 cups grated gouda cheese, divided
  • 2 cups grated cheddar cheese
  • Chopped fresh parsley, optional garnish

Equipment

  • Z Grills 1000D3E Wood Pellet Grill
  • Z Grills Apple Wood Pellets
  • Medium Pot
  • Cast iron skillet

Instructions

                                                                          Step 1: Bring a pot of water to a boil.
                                                                          • Step 2: Generously salt the water, then add the pasta.
                                                                          • Step 3: Cook the pasta according to the packaging instructions (about 7 minutes). The pasta should be al dente.
                                                                          • Step 4: Drain and set aside.
                                                                          • Step 5: Heat a 10 or 12-inch cast iron skillet over medium heat on a stovetop. Melt the butter.
                                                                          • Step 6: Once the butter is melted, whisk in the flour to create a roux. Continue to whisk until you no longer see or smell raw flour.
                                                                          • Step 7: Slowly pour in the half and half and heavy cream while you whisk until you have a smooth base for the cheese sauce. There shouldn’t be lumps of roux.
                                                                          • Step 8: Add the onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir.
                                                                          • Step 9: Remove from the heat, then gradually add 2 cups of grated gouda and 2 cups of cheddar cheese as you whisk. Stop once the cheese is melted.
                                                                          • Step 10: Preheat your Z-Grill (preferably with branded wood pellets) or other wood pellet grill to 225 degrees Fahrenheit.
                                                                          • Step 11: Add the pasta to the cheese sauce and stir until the cheese sauce evenly coats the pasta.
                                                                          • Step 12: Top the macaroni and cheese with the remaining cup of grated gouda.
                                                                          • Step 13: Transfer the skillet to the grill grates, close the lid, and smoke for 1 hour.
                                                                          • Step 14: Remove from the grill, let sit for 5 minutes, then serve. Garnish with parsley if desired.

Ingredients

Serving Sizes

 

  • 1 pound dry elbow macaroni
  • ½ cup unsalted butter
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups half and half, slightly warm
  • 2 cups heavy cream, slightly warm
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 ½ teaspoons fine sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 3 cups grated gouda cheese, divided
  • 2 cups grated cheddar cheese
  • Chopped fresh parsley, optional garnish

Equipment

  • Z Grills 1000D3E Wood Pellet Grill
  • Z Grills Apple Wood Pellets
  • Medium Pot
  • Cast iron skillet