How to Make Smoked Mac and Cheese on a Traeger Pellet Grill

Learn how to make smoked mac and cheese on a Traeger Pellet Grill!

We take you step-by-step through what ingredients and cookware you’ll need, preparation, setting up your Traeger pellet grill, and smoking the macaroni and cheese to perfection!

Smoked Macaroni and Cheese is a great side dish that most people love with their BBQ, and believe it or not, is pretty easy to make, especially on a Traeger pellet grill.

You can smoke right alongside your Traeger smoked beef brisket, pork butt, ribs, or chicken!

Even if you’ve only ever made macaroni and cheese from a little blue box, we’ve got you covered with step by step instructions and a list of what you’ll need to make the best Traeger Smoked Mac and Cheese!

 

What you Need to Make Smoked Mac and Cheese on a Traeger Pellet Grill

 

A Cast Iron Skillet

In order to make really great smoked mac and cheese on your Traeger pellet grill, you will preferably need a 12-inch cast iron skillet to smoke it in.

When it comes to using cast iron, like we do for our Traeger smoked baked beans, we like anything from Lodge, such as this Lodge 12 inch skillet for smoked mac and cheese.

It’s already pre-seasoned and has the nice high sides to keep all that bubbly smoked mac and cheese contained on your Traeger.

The best part is you can bring it right from the Traeger to the table and serve directly from the cast iron skillet!

 

A Large Stock Pot

You will also need a standard large pasta pot to boil the macaroni “al dente” in water before you add it to the cheese mixture in the cast iron pan and put it in the Traeger.

 

A Cheese Grater

Our #1 tip for making smoked mac and cheese on your Traeger would be to grate your own blocks of cheese rather than buying “pre-shredded” cheese.

Pre-shredded cheese, while convenient, is coated in cellulose to keep it from clumping together in the package.

Unfortunately, this also keeps the cheese from melting as easily and from absorbing moisture and smoky flavor in the Traeger.

This is exactly the opposite of what we want to happen so make sure to grate your own cheese!

If you need a good cheese grater we are fans of this rotary style one from Zulay.

Its makes quick and easy work of grating large amounts of cheese and you don’t risk scrapping for finger tips off!

 

Ingredients

Lastly, you’ll need your ingredients to make the Traeger smoked mac and cheese.

You don’t need the fanciest cheese in the store by any means but don’t buy the cheapest stuff either or it may not melt as easily.

We like to use a combination of cheddar and gouda for a classic, melty, mac and cheese flavor.

Again, make sure to buy whole blocks you can shred yourself.  And don’t skip the mustard powder, it really does make a difference!

If you are in the crowd of folks that like breadcrumbs on their smoked mac and cheese, we use a simple mix of Panko breadcrumbs and butter but also like to mix in a little bit of our favorite BBQ rub, Three Little Pigs to give it some extra BBQ flavor.

Smoked Mac and Cheese

• 1 lb Elbow Macaroni Noodles
• 1/2 Cup Salted Butter
• 4 Tbsp Flour
• 1 Tbsp Mustard Powder
• 1 Cup Half and Half
• 1 Cup Whole Milk
• 4 oz Cream Cheese
• 2 Cups grated Cheddar Cheese
• 2 Cups grated Gouda
• 1/2 Cup shredded Parmesan

Topping (Optional)

• 1 Cup Panko Bread Crumbs
• 1/4 Cup melted Salted Butter
• 1 Tbsp Three Little Pigs Kansas City Championship BBQ Rub

 

The Best Wood Pellets for Smoking Mac and Cheese on a Traeger Pellet Grill

Smoked Mac and Cheese, being a relatively wet side dish like a chili or soup, will absorb a lot of smoke very quickly.

So make sure to choose a either a mild fruitwood pellet like apple, cherry, and peach, or another milder smoking wood like pecan, oak or alder.

You can use hickory if you like that flavor, but stay away from mesquite unless you blend it with another type of pellet.

Hopefully if you are already using a milder wood for your main protein you can just continue using the same pellets for your smoked mac and cheese.

For the best results, store your unused pellets in a sealed room temperature container like this 20 lb pellet container rather than in the Traeger hopper outside.

Traeger pellets do not last forever, but will definitely last a LOT longer if stored indoors in a quality airtight container.

 

How a Traeger Pellet Grill Works

In order to cook ANYTHING well on a Traeger pellet grill, you need to first have a basic understanding of how a pellet grill works.

***Completely New to Using a Traeger Pellet Grill?  No Worries!****

We’ve previously covered how to start a Traeger, how to season a Traeger, how to change the pellets in a Traeger, amd even how to troubleshoot a Traeger that won’t ignite.

We also recently compared our two favorite Traeger models head to head if you’re in the market for a new Traeger or to upgrade your old one.

Or hop over and check out this Complete Guide to Understanding How a Pellet Grill Works first if you are interested in learning more.

Otherwise, if you already know your Traeger inside and out, skip down to the recipe below!

 

Add your Hardwood Pellets

First, you add hardwood pellets into the side hopper.

The Traeger pellet grill automatically feeds these small wood pellets via an auger mechanism to a fire pot where they are burned up, providing both heat and smokey flavor.

The pellet grill automatically controls the flow of pellets depending on your temperature setting so that you maintain an even temperature throughout the entire cook.

 

How to Start Up the Traeger

There is a specific start up process for the Traeger brand pellet grills you can read all about in depth here if you aren’t sure how to fire it up the first time.

Otherwise, here is the basic process for how to start a Traeger before throwing on your food:

• Plug in the grill.
• Flip the power switch to ON and turn the dial to “Smoke”.
• You will hear the fan kick on and the auger start to move and begin to kick pellets into the fire pot.  Your fire rod will begin to heat up as well.
• Leave the lid open for about 5-7 minutes until you start to see white billowing smoke come out of the grill.  This happens when the pellets are first igniting.
• Once a smoke is being produced, close the lid and change the temperature dial to your desired temperature setting.
• Allow about 10-15 minutes to preheat the grill.
• While you are waiting, make sure you’ve got the drip pan in place and the grease bucket hanging to catch any grease that comes out during the cook.  Use a grease bucket liner to minimize cleanup later.
• Put your grates on if they aren’t already in place.
• Using a good bristle free grill brush, clean off the grill grates if there is any leftover stuck on food from the last cook.
• When the pellet grill comes up to temperature go ahead and put on your food!

Why Bristle Free Grill Brushes? 

Check out our Ultimate Guide to How to Keep your Family Safe by using ONLY Bristle Free Grill Brushes, along with a selection of some of our favorites!

How to Make Smoked Mac and Cheese on a Traeger Pellet Grill

Set the Temperature

The best temperature to smoke your mac and cheese on the Traeger  is going to be 225°F.

Thankfully this is the same temperature for a lot of “low and slow” BBQ such as pork, brisket, and ribs if you are already making one of those things.

The smoked mac and cheese will take about an hour to an hour and a half so plan accordingly to time it to finish at the same time your meat is finished resting.

Thankfully, in the cast iron pan the smoked mac and cheese will stay nice and hot for a long while even once you’ve taken it off the Traeger so you don’t have to be perfect!

 

Shred your Cheese and Prepare your Ingredients

Take the time first to shred and measure out all your cheese now and measure out your other ingredients.

Once you start making the cheese sauce you won’t have time to stop and shred each kind of cheese.

 

Cook the Macaroni “Al Dente”

You’ll need to bring your large pot of water to a boil and cook your elbow macaroni “al dente”, meaning still somewhat firm, before you add it to the cheese sauce in the cast iron skillet.

About 5-6 minutes cooking at a rolling boil should be enough.  Then drain the water very well and remove the macaroni from the heat.

The macaroni will finish cooking in the cheese sauce in the smoker.

 

Make the Cheese Sauce

While the water is coming up to a boil, you can heat your cast iron skillet over medium heat and melt the butter.

Then you will whisk in the flour until smooth (about 3-4 minutes) and then whisk in the mustard powder.

Whisk in the half and half and milk and bring to a slight boil.

Turn off the heat and stir in the cream cheese until smooth.

Then add your shredded cheeses, a little a time in small handfuls, whisking until smooth.

 

Add the Macaroni and the Topping

Once your cheese sauce is smooth and creamy (add more milk if its is too thick), add your drained “al dente” macaroni noodles and stir around until all the pasta is completely coated.

Mix together your melted butter, panko breadcrumbs and BBQ rub in a small bowl and sprinkle over the top of the macaroni and cheese if you wish.

 

Smoke the Mac and Cheese in the Traeger

Now it’s time to smoke your mac and cheese in the Traeger!

Carefully carry your cast iron skillet out to the Traeger pellet grill now preheated up to 225°F and put it in the smoker uncovered.

Let it cook for about 1 to 1.5 hours until the top is nice and brown and the sides are bubbling up.

 

Best Ways to Serve Traeger Smoked Mac and Cheese

The best part about smoking your Traeger Mac and Cheese in a cast iron pan is that you can bring the pan right to the table to serve out of when its finished!

Smoked mac and cheese goes great with brisket, pulled pork, ribs, chicken, salmon, lobster, Thanksgiving turkey, or any other dish you can think of!

If you want even more side dishes, make sure to also check out our Traeger corn on the cob, Traeger baked beans, smoked baked potatoes, asparagus, and cauliflower.

Or you can indulge in our famous sweet and smokey sweet potatoes to accompany your meal as well!

 

What Else Can I Smoke on my Traeger?

So glad you asked!

Check out some of our other favorite recipes below that can all be easily modified for a Traeger if not done so already.

You’ve come to right place!

Pork

• Traeger Baby Back Ribs
• Traeger Smoked Pulled Pork
• Traeger 3-2-1 Pork Ribs
• Traeger Smoked Pork Loin
• Traeger Smoked Pork Spare Ribs
• Pellet Grill Smoked Pork Chops
• Pellet Grilled Bratwurst
• Gas Grilled Bratwurst
• Smoked Fresh Holiday Ham
• Spiral Sliced Smoked Hot Dogs
• Smoked Bratwurst with Beer Braised Onions
• Roasted Pig in Your Backyard

 

Beef

• Traeger Smoked Prime Rib
• Traeger Beef Tenderloin with Horseradish Cream
• Traeger Smoked Beef Brisket
• Traeger Smoked Chuck Roast
• Traeger Smoked Pot Roast
• Traeger Smoked Beef Short Ribs
• Perfect Smoked London Broil
• Smoked Ribeye Roast
• Smoked Corned Beef
• Smoked Ribeye Steaks
• Smoked Filet Mignon
• Hot and Fast Pellet Grill Beef Brisket
• Pellet Grilled Steak
• Perfect Grilled Hamburgers
• Smoked Eye of Round Roast Beef
• Easy Smoked Flank Steak
• Smoked Tomahawk Steaks
• Smoked Bottom Round Roast
• Smoked Sirloin Tip Roast
• Smoked Rump Roast

 

Seafood

• Traeger Smoked Salmon
• Honey Smoked Salmon
• Smoked Oysters in a Garlic White Wine Sauce
• Smoked Scallops with Lemon Butter Sauce
• Smoked Lobster Tails
• Easy Smoked Tilapia
• Perfect Smoked Halibut
• Smoked Mahi Mahi Fillets
• Smoked Swordfish Steaks
• Smoked Crab Legs with Cajun Clarified Butter
• Smoked Mackerel with Maple Balsamic Glaze
• Smoked Catfish with Cajun BBQ Rub
• Smoked Red Snapper with Blackening Rub
• Smoked Trout
• Smoked Tuna Steaks

 

Poultry

• Traeger Smoked Whole Chicken
• Traeger Smoked Chicken Thighs
• Traeger Smoked Chicken Breasts
• Traeger Smoked Chicken Legs
• Traeger Smoked Chicken Wings
• Smoked Turkey Burgers
• Smoked Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs
• Smoked Chicken Tenders
• Smoked Chicken Leg Quarters
• Beer Can Chicken on a Pellet Grill
• Spatchcocked Chicken on a Pellet Grill
• Pellet Grill Smoked Turkey Breast
• Pellet Grill Turkey
• Easy Smoked Turkey Legs
• Spatchcocked Smoked Turkey on a Pellet Grill
• Smoked Chicken Salad
• Trash Can Turkey – OK, technically not made on a grill or smoker but one of the most fun ways there is to cook a Turkey…at over 700 degrees in only 2 hours! 

 

Lamb

• Smoked Leg of Lamb with Guinness Marinade
• Smoked Lamb Chops with a Balsamic Butter Sauce
• Smoked Rack of Lamb with Garlic and Rosemary or Smoker
• Smoked and Pulled Lamb Shoulder with a Turkish Spice Rub
• Smoked Lamb Shanks

 

Sides and Desserts

• Traeger Smoked Baked Beans
• Traeger Smoked Corn on the Cob
• Smoked Potato Salad
• Smoked Baked Potatoes
• Smoked Twice Baked Potatoes
• Smoked Asparagus
• Easy Smoked Broccoli
• Smoked Cauliflower
• Smoked Green Beans
• Sticky Smoked Sweet Potatoes
• Smoked Pineapple in a Maple Bourbon Sauce
• Smoked Carrots with a Honey Balsamic Glaze
• Smoked Hard Boiled Eggs
• Smoked Deviled Eggs
• Smoked Egg Salad
• Smoked Cream Cheese
• Smoked Cream Cheese Dip with Bacon and Cheddar
• Smoked Pig Shots
• Smoked Jalapeno Poppers
• Smoked Garlic
• Frozen Pizza on a Pellet Grill
• How to Steam Tamales
• Masterbuilt Smoked Cheese
• Smoked Gouda Cheese
• Smoked Peaches
• Smoked Peach Cobbler