Barb Hines Smoked Mac & Cheese
This is rich and delicious, it does not need to be smoked.
2TBSP Flour
2 Cups Heavy Cream
1 Pound Extra Sharp Cheddar, shredded
1/2 Pound Monterey Jack, shredded
1 - 2 Tablespoons Hot Sauce
2 Teaspoons All Purpose Seasoning
1 Cup Hellman’s Mayo
1 Cup Sour Cream
12 oz Elbow Macaroni Noodles
1/2 Cup Panko
12 oz Thin Sliced Bacon
Prepare pasta Al dente, according to package directions, and set aside.
Grate both cheeses and said the side.
Cook bacon until crispy, we suggest placing in a 400° oven for 10 to 15 minutes. Do you want the bacon to be crispy and not limp. Immediately remove bacon from baking sheet. Allowed to drain on a paper towel. Finally chopped bacon with food processor, and set aside.
In a sauce, pan, heat 2 tablespoons of butter and 2 tablespoons of flour over medium heat. Cook until the roux starts smelling a little nutty. At that point add 1/2 cup of the heavy cream and stir until sauce thickens.
Add additional 1/2 cup of heavy cream and stir for 1 to 2 minutes and then add the final one cup of heavy cream and stir until sauce, smooth and thick.
Add grated cheese to sauce, slowly starting until the cheese is blended, and the sauce is smooth and creamy. At 1 to 2 tablespoons of your favorite hot sauce, depending on the heat level, you desire. I use 1 tablespoon but sometimes skip it completely.
Mixed together, pasta, sauce, mayo, and sour cream, then pour into an oven, safe dish. You can make this using a 13 inch cast iron skillet. If it has been oiled season of sprayed, with a good nonstick spray, be very sure not to overfill.
Mix 1/2 cup of Panko with the chopped bacon and top macaroni and cheese with this mixture.
At this point you can smoke the macaroni and cheese at 350° for one hour or until it becomes hot and bubbly. Make sure to check halfway through the cooking time because smokers and grills vary. You can also bake it in your oven. If it is getting too dark, cover with foil and continue cooking.
If a darker crust is desired for your mac & cheese, place skillet under the broiler 4 inches from the heat until the top is golden bubbly usually 3 to 4 minutes serve immediately.
