Smoked Mac-N-Cheese Bacon Cups
These are cheesy and loaded with bacon, take your Mac-n-Cheese game to a whole 'nuther level!
Prep Time30 minutes mins
Active Time1 hour hr 5 minutes mins
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American, BBQ
Keyword: Bacon, mac and cheese, Macaroni and cheese
Yield: 6 people
Author: Ryan Haggadone
Cost: $10
BBQ Grill
Foil Pan
Muffin tin
- 12 each strips of bacon
- 16 oz small pasta shells or elbow macaroni
- 3/4 cup bread crumbs
- 8 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 5 1/2 cups milk
- 2 cups smoked gouda cheese
- 2 cups smoked cheddar cheese
- 1 cup parmesan cheese
- 1 cup mozzarela cheese
- 1 tbsp SuckleBusters SPG BBQ Rub
- 1 tbsp SuckleBusters Sugar Daddy BBQ Rub
Make the Bacon Cups
Set the grill/smoker to 350 degrees cooking temperature
Place muffin tin face down on the counter (bottom side up), use 2 pieces of bacon per cup. Cut one strip in half and place it like an “X” over the cup. Wrap the second whole slice around the side of the cup, overlapping the ends. Repeat with remaining bacon strips until finished.
Sprinkle on SuckleBuster’s Sugar Daddy BBQ Rub
Place in the grill/smoker and cook for 45-55 minutes or until bacon is cooked thoroughly but not crisp
Remove from grill, let cool, and then carefully remove bacon cups from the pan
Make the Bread Crumb Topping
Make the Cheese Sauce
In a saucepan, melt 6 tablespoons butter over medium heat. When butter melts, add flour. Whisk constantly for 1 minute
After one minute, slowly pour the milk into the flour/butter mixture while whisking. Continue cooking, whisking frequently, until the mixture bubbles and becomes thick
Remove the pan from heat and stir in all the cheeses. Set cheese sauce aside
Make the Macaroni
Fill a large saucepan with water and bring to a boil. Add pasta; cook a minute less than the manufacturer's directions. Remove from the heat, drain the water, and return to the pan.
Stir in the reserved cheese sauce until melted.
Assemble and bake the Mac Cups
Scoop the macaroni mixture into the bacon cups
Sprinkle bread crumb mixture on top
Place the loaded bacon cups in a foil pan
Bake uncovered in the grill/smoker until browned on top, about 30 minutes.
Remove, serve immediately and enjoy!