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    Home » Kitchen Laughter Recipes Blog » Grilled

    Grilled Mac and Cheese – A Classic Recipe

    Published: Apr 30, 2018 · Modified: Feb 1, 2023 by Jason C · This post may contain affiliate links ·

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    Are you looking for a fun and easy Grilled Mac and Cheese Recipe that will be a hit at your next BBQ?

    macaroni and cheese in a cast iron skillet on the grill
    Grilled Macaroni and Cheese is a Fun Twist on a Classic Recipe
    Contents hide
    1 🧀 Ingredients
    2 🔥 Grilling Instructions
    3 Grilled Mac and Cheese

    Go back about 40 years for Jason and his mom on this family favorite! This Mac and Cheese recipe was one of the very first ones that Jason’s mom passed on to me the first year we were married. I still have it handwritten out on a recipe card that I hold dear to my heart. Wonderful, sweet memories. You can feel them when I even mention making this recipe. Jason’s face lights up and you can see there is more to the recipe than just the noodles for him. It’s such a sweet connection to his mom that I felt like I needed to share how we prepare it on the grill.

    You know when a recipe that’s been around 30-40 years, it has to be a keeper.

    Homemade macaroni and cheese has been passed around for generations and generally it all starts with noodles, cheese and a sauce. There are many, many variations of macaroni and cheese but this one is our favorite. I don’t alter it one bit!

    🧀 Ingredients

    The “glue” that holds together a good macaroni and cheese is a thin sauce held together by butter and flour. Who was the person who first tried to combine these things? Whoever she was, she should be remembered in history as an absolute genius!

    Grilled Mac and Cheese - Thick Cheese Sauce in the Skillet
    Grilled Mac and Cheese – Thin Cheese Sauce in the Skillet

    This recipe calls for a Sharp American cheese. If you can’t find that, just use what is in your fridge.  It won’t be quite the same taste, but who knows, maybe you’ll try something that becomes your family’s 40 year favorite?

    Cheddar will produce a bit more grease on top after it is cooked, so just be prepared. Gouda, parmesan, gruyre and fontina will produce a very rich flavor, and you’ll feel like you eating a side dish at an upscale steak house.  But we usually stick the recipe “as is” since Jason grew up with it.

    Grilled Mac and Cheese Ready to Eat
    Grilled Mac and Cheese Ready to Eat

    🔥 Grilling Instructions

    This recipe has shared time in the kitchen and on the grill. You want to cook this over the grill for a couple of reasons. The biggest one is rich flavor that comes from charcoal in the grill. Slightly smokey with a little bit of crust on the edges. YUM!  We never add any smoking chips to this, but just the hint of the grill taste is more than enough!

    Grilled Mac and Cheese on the Big Green Egg - Ready to Cook
    Grilled Mac and Cheese

    It also saves heat in the house, so it’s a perfect side dish when you are having a cookout or you are trying to avoid heating the house during the hot summer months. If you go this route, you can easily prep the dish the day before and pop on the grill the next day. It will be perfect!  Win, win!

    Set your grill to 375 and grill for 25-35 minutes. Use indirect heat and a cast iron skillet or disposable aluminum pan for easy cleanup. I guarantee there won’t be much left over!

    Please tell me how you liked the Grilled Mac and Cheese in comments below!

    Related Side Dishes

    Smoky Deviled Eggs – These are fast, easy and delicious! We all love a good deviled egg recipe, but the addition of the smoky flavor takes it over the top!

    Grilled Chicken Leg Quarters – Mac and Cheese works especially well with a nice grilled chicken. Learn how to grill a nice crispy leg quarter.

    Grilled Mac and Cheese on the Big Green Egg - Still Sizzling from the BGE

    Grilled Mac and Cheese

    It's time to grill a classic recipe and whip up this easy Grilled Macaroni and Cheese. It is very customizable, so tweak it to make it your own.
    4.58 from 7 votes
    Print Pin
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 45 minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour
    Servings: 8 people
    Calories: 478kcal
    Author: Jason

    Ingredients

    Thin White Sauce

    • 2 cup Milk
    • 2 tbsp Butter
    • 2 tbsp Flour
    • Salt and Pepper to taste

    Macaroni and Cheese

    • 6-7 oz Macaroni
    • 2 tsp Onion grated
    • 1-2 tsp Salt and Pepper
    • 3 cup American Cheese sharp, shredded
    • 1 tbsp Butter

    Instructions

    Make the White Sauce

    • Melt butter and whisk in flour, salt and pepper. Cook over low heat, stirring until smooth.
    • Pour in milk slowly and heat to boiling. Boil and stir for one minute.
      Grilled Mac and Cheese - Thick Cheese Sauce in the Skillet

    Grill the Macaroni and Cheese

    • Heat grill to 375. Set up the grill for indirect heat if possible.
    • Place 1/2 of the cooked macaroni in the cast iron or disposable aluminum pan.
    • Sprinkle 1/2 of the onion, salt, pepper and cheese. Repeat.
      Grilled Mac and Cheese on the Big Green Egg - Still Sizzling from the BGE
    • Pour white sauce over the entire dish and dot it with butter. Cover and cook for 25-35 minutes. Uncover and cook an additional 10 minutes.
    • Cover and cook for 25-35 minutes.
    • Uncover and cook an additional 10 minutes.
      Grilled Mac and Cheese Ready to Eat

    Nutrition

    Calories: 478kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 18g | Cholesterol: 95mg | Sodium: 1326mg | Potassium: 542mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 928IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 845mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @kitchenlaughter or tag #kitchenlaughter!

    Grilled Mac and Cheese - A Classic Recipe
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