How to Make Homemade Mac and Cheese

cheddar cheese

🥗Healthier: low-fat cheese

💰Cheaper: processed cheese

Low-fat cheese reduces calories while maintaining flavor.

milk

🥗Healthier: almond milk

💰Cheaper: evaporated milk

Almond milk is lower in calories, while evaporated milk is often cheaper.

butter

🥗Healthier: olive oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Olive oil is healthier, while margarine is often less expensive.

parmesan cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: grated Romano cheese

Nutritional yeast is dairy-free, while Romano is often cheaper.

Remove the cooking grate from the Oklahoma Joe's Blackjack Kettle and take out one charcoal basket.

Light a few fire lighters and fill a charcoal chimney with briquettes for one charcoal basket.

Wait about 10 to 15 minutes for the briquettes to be ready.

Measure out 250 grams of elbow pasta, filling the tray about three-quarters full, and add a pinch of salt.

Cook the pasta just under al dente, about 2 to 3 minutes less than the package instructions.

Once the briquettes are ready, dump them into the charcoal basket and replace the cooking grate.

Preheat the barbecue to around 180 Celsius (350 Fahrenheit) by opening both vents.

Drain the cooked pasta and return it to the bowl, adding a drizzle of olive oil to prevent clumping.

Add chopped sausage to the barbecue to reheat and add flavor.

In a saucepan over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter.

Add 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour gradually, mixing until combined.

Gradually add 1 cup of milk while stirring to eliminate lumps.

Add 1/4 cup of thickened cream and continue stirring until smooth.

Season with garlic gold seasoning, salt, and pepper to taste.

Stir in 1 cup of extra sharp cheddar cheese until melted, followed by 1/2 cup of gruyere cheese until fully incorporated.

Turn off the heat and gradually mix in the elbow pasta.

Dice the reheated sausage and mix it into the pasta and cheese sauce.

Transfer the mixture into a foil tray, sprinkling more cheese on top before filling the tray completely.

In a small fry pan, melt 1 tablespoon of butter and add 1/4 cup of panko breadcrumbs and 1 tablespoon of Parmesan cheese, mixing well.

Top the mac and cheese with the breadcrumb mixture and place it in the barbecue.

Cook for around 30 minutes until golden brown on top, rotating after 20 minutes for even browning.

Serve the mac and cheese immediately.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens