Barbecue Smoked Mac and Cheese
A creamy cheddar macaroni baked with wood smoke on the barbecue, with a crisp crumb top. An oven method is included.
- Time1 hr 20
- LevelMedium
- Costabout £1.33 a head
- Oven200°C (180°C fan)
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Estimated nutrition per serving
- 717kcal
- 69.7gcarbs
- 13.2gof which sugars
- 35.4gfat
- 20.3gsaturates
- 29.9gprotein
- 3.7gfibre
- 2.3gsalt
A rough estimate worked out from the ingredients, for the serving size above. It is a guide only and not medical advice. If you count carbs or manage diabetes, check with your own tools and your care team.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Boil the macaroni in salted water for 2 minutes less than the packet says, so it stays a little firm. Drain.
- 2
Melt the butter in a large pan, stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute. Add the milk a little at a time, whisking, until smooth. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring, until thickened.
5 min - 3
Take off the heat and stir in the mustard powder, paprika, salt and 250 g of the mature cheddar and all the smoked cheddar until melted. Fold in the macaroni and spoon into a 25 cm ovenproof dish or foil tray.
- 4
Mix the remaining cheddar, breadcrumbs and oil and scatter over the top.
- 5
Set the barbecue up for indirect cooking at 150C with the wood chunks on the coals or in a foil pouch. Put the dish on the cool side, close the lid and smoke for 40 to 45 minutes, until bubbling with a golden top.
44 min - 6
In the oven, bake at 200°C (180°C fan) for 25 minutes instead, using extra smoked cheddar for flavour. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.
