Name: Creamy Smoked Mac & Cheese
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 3 h 45 min
Total time: 4 h
Yield: 10
Cuisine: US
Ingredients: 1 (12 ounce) package bacon, thick-cut; 1 (12 ounce) package elbow macaroni, or cavatappi; 2 cups heavy cream; 1 (16 ounce) package shredded extra-sharp Cheddar cheese; 1 (8 ounce) package shredded Colby-Jack cheese; 1 cup sour cream; 1 cup mayonnaise; 2 tablespoons butter, unsalted; 2 tablespoons barbeque rub, your favorite blend

Macaroni and Cheese

Smoked Mac and Cheese

Aug 27, 2025
by Abby Wunsch
- 4.5 / 5 ( 2 Ratings)
1 Likes

PREP TIME

10 mins
COOK TIME

3 hrs 45 mins
TOTAL TIME

4 hrs
SERVING

10 People
VIEWS

6

Indulge in the smoky embrace of this luxuriously rich mac and cheese. Infused with the deep, savory notes of wood smoke, crispy bacon crumbles, and a symphony of melted cheeses, this dish transforms a classic comfort food into a sophisticated culinary experience.

Ingridients

Adjust Servings

1 (12 ounce) package bacon, thick-cut

1 (12 ounce) package elbow macaroni, or cavatappi

2 cups heavy cream

1 (16 ounce) package shredded extra-sharp Cheddar cheese

1 (8 ounce) package shredded Colby-Jack cheese

1 cup sour cream

1 cup mayonnaise

2 tablespoons butter, unsalted

2 tablespoons barbeque rub, your favorite blend

Nutrition

Carbohydrate

30 g
Cholesterol

171 mg
Fiber

1 g
Protein

27 g
Saturated Fat

34 g
Sodium

1435 mg
Sugar

2 g
Fat

70 g
Unsaturated Fat

0 g

Follow The Directions

01

Step

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. (5 minutes)

02

Step

Preheat a smoker to 275 to 300 degrees F (135 to 150 degrees C) according to the manufacturer's instructions. Add wood chips according to instructions, preferably hickory or applewood for a balanced smoke flavor. (15 minutes)

03

Step

Lay bacon strips in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. (2 minutes)

04

Step

Bake in the preheated oven until browned and crisp, about 15 minutes. Drain bacon strips on paper towels; cool slightly, about 5 minutes. Place in the bowl of a food processor; pulse until crumbly. Set aside. (25 minutes)

05

Step

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 well. (15 minutes)

06

Step

Combine cream, Cheddar cheese, Colby-Jack cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, butter, and barbecue rub in the warm pasta pot; add drained macaroni. Stir well until cheese melts into a smooth, creamy sauce. Transfer to a 9x13-inch aluminum pan; sprinkle bacon evenly on top. (10 minutes)

07

Step

Place the pan on the rack in the preheated smoker; cook until cheese is bubbly and golden brown, about 3 ½ hours. Rotate the pan halfway through for even smoking. (210 minutes)

For a deeper smoky flavor, consider using smoked cheeses in addition to the Cheddar and Colby-Jack.
Adjust the amount of barbecue rub to your liking, considering the salt content of your rub.
If you don't have a smoker, you can achieve a smoky flavor by adding a few drops of liquid smoke to the cheese sauce.
Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave.

You need to login to claim your token

🔐 Login to get token

Abby Wunsch

Written by

Our recipe authors are passionate food lovers who share thousands of diverse dishes from around the world. They bring daily cooking inspiration with delicious, easy-to-make recipes for every occasion.