Okay I finally figured out how to make the best smoked mac and cheese recipe. It has taking me a few years and a Tiktok recipe to get us there- but here we are. The Best Smoked Shells N Cheese is amazing and our go to recipe for mac and cheese. You can use whatever noodles you want and I included the oven instructions as we do it both ways all the time.
I made this Smoked Shells N Cheese recipe as a side dish to our ribs and smoked brisket on our Traeger pellet smoker. This will serve about 4-6 as a side dish. We have also made it for a side dish for Thanksgiving, too! If you are serving for a party just double it up in a 9×13 aluminum pan. This is so easy to make you will wonder why you haven’t made it this way before.
What we love about The Best Shells N Cheese Recipe
- Just a FIVE ingredients
- Extra creamy and cheesy
- Easy to make, Just throw together and cook (no cooking noodles 1st)
- Not dry AT ALL
- The Perfect smoked side dish for all of your Summer Cook outs or anytime of the year with oven instructions
- Great as a side dish or a main meal
So whether you just want to try a new mac and cheese recipe or want to try a something easy on the smoker- this smoked shells and cheese is where it’s at. Make is for Father’s Day, on a lazy Sunday, or for game day.
Check out the video below for The Best Smoked Shells N Cheese Recipe (With Oven Instructions)
How to make This Smoked Mac and Cheese Recipe on the smoker
Okay seriously easy. First Pre-heat the smoker to 225 degrees F.
Grab out the baking dish or aluminum pan you will be using. Then add the cheese to the center of the dish pour the uncooked shells around the cheese. Add in the cream and water.
Add a couple pads of butter to the top and sprinkle with some BBQ rub on top. DO NOT STIR. Place in the preheated smoker uncovered . Close the lid and let smoke for about an hour and fifteen minutes until the pasta is soft. Then stir all of the ingredients together and serve hot! I have doe this dish covered and uncovered. It is faster (about an hour covered , with less smoke flavor).
I added some shredded cheese on top before serving but you don’t have to. Then sprinkle a bit more seasoning/ rub on top.
Shells N Cheese Oven Instructions
Follow all the same steps except bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes. If you don’t have BBQ rub you can just sprinkle with some garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
What to serve with this Smoked Mac and Cheese Recipe
- Smoked Brisket
- Smoked Ribs
- Bacon Wrapped Meatballs
- Pulled Pork
- Smoked Turkey
- Orange Cranberry Smoked Cocktail
- Chocolate S’mores Smoked Cheesecake
Looking for another great smoked side dish? Check out these Garlic Mashed Potatoes from OrWhateverYouDo.com!
Make sure to PIN IT!
Additions & Substitutions:
- You can use different pasta if you would like (you may just need to adjust the cream/water ratio either to just cover the noodles)
- Like it spicy? Add some chopped jalapenos or red pepper flakes!
- You can add some fresh minced garlic if you would like.
- Add a blend of shredded cheese at the end if desired like I did.
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The Best Smoked Shells N Cheese (with Oven Instructions)
Ingredients
- 1/2 package American Singles Cheese unwrapped About 8-10 slices
- 1 1/2 cups Uncooked Shells or macaroni
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup water
- 1 tsp SPG BBQ Rub or All Purpose BBQ rub (or Salt, pepper & garlic powder)
- 2 tbsp butter
- Shredded Cheese For topping optional
Instructions
- Place the stack of unwrapped cheese in the center of your baking pan.
- Pour the noodles around the cheese.
- Pour the heavy cream and water over the noodles.
- Sprinkle with a little of the BBQ Rub (or seasonings of choice)
- Add the butter on top DO NOT STIR INGREDIENTS.
- Place in the smoker or oven uncovered.
- Smoke at 225 degrees F for about an hour and fifteen minutes until the noodles are cooked. (or covered for 1 hour).
- Stir all ingredients together (then top with additional shredded cheese if desired) and sprinkle with a bit more BBQ Rub and serve hot.
For oven
- Follow instructions above but bake at 350 degrees F for 30-40 minutes until noodles are soft. Stir and enjoy.
Video
