By Traeger Kitchen
Throw some flavor into your mac and cheese routine. We’re adding a Southern staple, pimentos, and combining them with bacon for a sweet and smoky kick.
Prep Time
Cook Time
Pellets
To Taste | kosher salt |
4 Tablespoon | (1/2 stick) unsalted butter |
1 Medium | yellow onion, finely diced |
1/4 Cup | plus 1 tablespoon diced pimento peppers |
2 Clove | garlic, minced |
5 Tablespoon | all-purpose flour |
2 1/2 Cup | heavy cream |
1 1/2 Cup | whole milk |
3 Sprig | fresh thyme |
1 Sprig | fresh rosemary |
2 | dried bay leaves |
1 Tablespoon | Whole black peppercorns |
1 Pound | Dried elbow macaroni |
1 Pound | shredded Gruyère cheese |
1 Cup | panko breadcrumbs |
1/4 Cup | grated Parmesan cheese |
4 Tablespoon | (1/2 stick) melted unsalted butter |
1 1/2 Teaspoon | smoked paprika |
1/4 Cup | cooked bacon, crumbled |
1 Teaspoon | Chopped fresh parsley |
Step 1
When ready to cook, set the Traeger temperature to 350℉ and preheat with the lid closed for 15 minutes. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
350 ˚F / 177 ˚C
To Taste kosher salt
Step 2
Melt the butter in a medium stock pot on the stovetop over medium-high heat. Add the onion and peppers and sauté until translucent and tender, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and sauté until fragrant, 30 seconds more.
4 Tablespoon (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
1 Medium yellow onion, finely diced
1/4 Cup plus 1 tablespoon diced pimento peppers
2 Clove garlic, minced
Step 3
Add the flour and stir well with a wooden spoon to coat the vegetables. Cook the roux until it smells slightly nutty, about 1 minute. While whisking, stream in the cream and milk and continue to whisk until any flour clumps are worked out.
5 Tablespoon all-purpose flour
2 1/2 Cup heavy cream
1 1/2 Cup whole milk
Step 4
Wrap the thyme, rosemary, bay leaves, and black peppercorns in cheesecloth and tie up with twine. Drop into the cream mixture and simmer until the liquid thickens, 15-20 minutes. Remove the cheesecloth bundle and discard.
3 Sprig fresh thyme
1 Sprig fresh rosemary
2 dried bay leaves
1 Tablespoon Whole black peppercorns
Step 5
Meanwhile, add the elbow noodles to the boiling water and cook for 6-8 minutes until al dente. Drain the pasta, then return it to the pot.
1 Pound Dried elbow macaroni
Step 6
Remove the cheese sauce from the heat and whisk in the Gruyère until melted. Season with salt to taste.
1 Pound shredded Gruyère cheese
Step 7
Pour the cheese sauce over the noodles and stir to coat thoroughly, then transfer to a large cast iron pan.
Step 8
In a medium bowl, combine the panko, Parmesan cheese, melted butter, and paprika and stir well. Sprinkle the mixture over the mac and cheese.
1 Cup panko breadcrumbs
1/4 Cup grated Parmesan cheese
4 Tablespoon (1/2 stick) melted unsalted butter
1 1/2 Teaspoon smoked paprika
Step 9
Place the cast iron skillet on the grill grates. Close the lid and bake until the cheese sauce is bubbling and the top is lightly browned, 15-20 minutes.
00:20
350 ˚F / 177 ˚C
Step 10
Remove the mac and cheese from the grill, top with the bacon and parsley, and serve. Enjoy!
1/4 Cup cooked bacon, crumbled
1 Teaspoon Chopped fresh parsley
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