Barbecue preferences vary wildly in the United States. Some folks prefer a sweet taste, others like it spicy; some folks prefer a dry rub, others like a messy sauce; some folks prefer to barbecue individual pieces of meat and others like to grill giant rib racks or smoke huge briskets. And some of us aren't picky at all!
What most Americans will agree on, however, is that macaroni and cheese is a great side dish for any barbecue entree. Its smooth creaminess is the perfect complement to barbecue, regardless of the details of its taste. So why not combine the flavors into one incredible dish?
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Ingredients (Yield: 4 servings)
8 ounces elbow macaroni
10 slices raw bacon, hickory smoked, diced
Fresh black pepper and sea salt, to taste
2 tablespoons butter (or bacon grease)
2 tablespoons flour
3/4 cup milk
8 ounces smoked gouda cheese, grated
1/4 teaspoon chipotle chili powder
1/4 teaspoon paprika
Fresh black pepper and sea salt, to taste
Barbecue sauce for topping, about 1/4 cup
8 ounces elbow macaroni
10 slices raw bacon, hickory smoked, diced
Fresh black pepper and sea salt, to taste
2 tablespoons butter (or bacon grease)
2 tablespoons flour
3/4 cup milk
8 ounces smoked gouda cheese, grated
1/4 teaspoon chipotle chili powder
1/4 teaspoon paprika
Fresh black pepper and sea salt, to taste
Barbecue sauce for topping, about 1/4 cup
Instructions
1. Preheat over to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a medium-sized (2-quart) casserole dish.
1. Preheat over to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a medium-sized (2-quart) casserole dish.
2. Cook pasta in large pot to al dente, drain and return to pot.
3. While pasta is boiling, cook bacon, seasoned to taste with salt and pepper. Drain off any grease (or use in next step) and add to drained pasta.
4. Melt butter (or use 2 tablespoons of bacon grease) in small pot over medium heat. Slowly add flour, mixing well. Keep stirring and add milk, whisking until smooth.
5. Add grated cheese a little at a time, stirring carefully to allow thorough melting. Add spices to taste.
6. When cheese is completely melted and mixture is smooth, fold into pasta and bacon. Mix thoroughly.
7. Pour evenly into casserole dish. Drizzle the top with barbecue sauce, and bake until bubbly, about 15 minutes.
Notes
This is truly a "make it your own" recipe – simply add, subtract or substitute to suit your own tastes. Go extra creamy by adding 4 ounces of plain cream cheese to the sauce, or just use cream instead of milk. Try substituting different meats or seafood or different smoked cheeses, or adding fire-roasted tomatoes.
This is truly a "make it your own" recipe – simply add, subtract or substitute to suit your own tastes. Go extra creamy by adding 4 ounces of plain cream cheese to the sauce, or just use cream instead of milk. Try substituting different meats or seafood or different smoked cheeses, or adding fire-roasted tomatoes.
The topping is where it's at with this dish. Try different flavors of barbecue sauce, or adding a few squirts of your favorite hot sauce. Add some crunch to the dish with a topping of crushed corn chips or panko and smoked almonds.
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What's your opinion – sweet or spicy? Chicken or shrimp? Tabasco or buffalo sauce?SHARE this recipe now, then tell us how you modified it to make it your own!