Smoked Mac and Cheese Bacon (Print Format)
Tender pasta, smoked cheese, and bacon cups baked until golden. Irresistible, handheld comfort food for any occasion.
# Ingredients:
01 -
12 strips of bacon
02 -
16 oz small pasta shells or elbow macaroni
03 -
3/4 cup bread crumbs
04 -
8 tbsp unsalted butter
05 -
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
06 -
5 1/2 cups milk
07 -
2 cups smoked gouda cheese
08 -
2 cups smoked cheddar cheese
09 -
1 cup parmesan cheese
10 -
1 cup mozzarella cheese
11 -
1 tbsp SuckleBusters SPG BBQ Rub
12 -
1 tbsp SuckleBusters Sugar Daddy BBQ Rub
# Steps:
01 -
Set the grill or smoker to 350°F. Place a muffin tin face down on the counter. Use 2 pieces of bacon per cup: cut one strip in half and position it like an 'X' over the muffin cup. Wrap a full slice around the side of the cup, ensuring the ends overlap. Repeat for all remaining strips.
02 -
Sprinkle SuckleBusters Sugar Daddy BBQ Rub on the bacon cups. Place the muffin tin on the grill or smoker. Cook for 45-55 minutes or until the bacon is thoroughly cooked but not crisp. Let cool, then carefully remove the bacon cups.
03 -
In a small mixing bowl, combine 2 tablespoons melted butter, bread crumbs, and 1 tablespoon SuckleBusters SPG All-Purpose Seasoning.
04 -
Melt 6 tablespoons of butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Once melted, add the flour and whisk continuously for 1 minute. Gradually pour milk into the mixture while whisking until it thickens and bubbles. Remove from heat and stir in gouda, cheddar, parmesan, and mozzarella cheeses until smooth.
05 -
Fill a large saucepan with water and bring to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 1 minute less than the manufacturer's instructions. Drain and return the pasta to the pan.
06 -
Stir the prepared cheese sauce into the cooked pasta until fully incorporated.
07 -
Fill each bacon cup with the macaroni mixture. Sprinkle the breadcrumb topping over the macaroni.
08 -
Place the filled bacon cups into a foil pan. Bake uncovered in the grill or smoker at 350°F until the tops are browned, approximately 30 minutes.