Sides

Smoked Mac and Cheese with Gujajillo Rub Crust

traeger smoked mac and cheese guajillo rub
traeger smoked mac and cheese guajillo rub

Smoked Mac & Cheese with Guajillo Rub Crust

One for the books! Serve this at your next BBQ and everyone will want the recipe.
Prep Time 35 minutes
Servings 12

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 3 tbsp Dandy Guajillo Rub
  • 16 oz pasta (small cuts)
  • 4 tbsp butter
  • 3 ea diced jalapenos (seeds removed)
  • 1/3 cup diced yellow onion
  • 3 ea minced garlic cloves
  • 1/4 cup flour
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 4 oz cubed cream cheese
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese
  • 1 cup gruyere cheese
  • 2 cups shredded white cheddar
  • 8 slices bacon crumbles
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp cumin
  • 1/4 tsp paprika
  • 2-4 tbsp Dandy Gold Sauce

Instructions
 

  • In a small pan heat 1 tbsp olive oil over MED heat. Add the panko crumbs and guajillo rub and stir continuously until it starts to brown.
  • Cook pasta until a few minutes shy of al dente. Drain and toss with olive oil to prevent sticking.
  • Melt butter over MED heat and add jalapenos and onions, cook for 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 more minute, stirring often.
  • Add in flour and stir for 1 minute. Pour in heavy cream and milk and whisk until clumps are gone.
  • Add in cream cheese, mozzarella, gruyere & cheddar (setting a little bit aside for the topping). Stir until melted then add Dandy Gold Sauce, salt, pepper, paprika and cumin and stir.
  • In large bowl mix together the pasta, cheese sauce and most of the bacon. Top with remaining mozzarella, gruyere, cheddar and bacon.
  • Sprinkle the toasted Guajillo panko crumbs evenly and smoke at 225F for 1-2 hours.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!