Delicious Smoked Macaroni and Cheese Bacon Cups

Get ready to elevate your next gathering with a show-stopping dish that combines all your favorite comfort foods in one irresistible package—Smoked Mac and Cheese Bacon Cups. Picture this: crispy bacon cups cradle a creamy, smoky mac and cheese made with a blend of gouda, cheddar, parmesan, and mozzarella cheeses. The result? A flavor explosion that will have your guests coming back for seconds and asking for the recipe.

I first whipped up these Smoked Mac and Cheese Bacon Cups for a summer barbecue, and let me tell you, they were a hit! The smoky aroma of the bacon mingling with the rich cheese filling is a true crowd-pleaser. As the bacon crisps up on the grill, the mac and cheese inside melts to perfection, creating a harmonious blend of textures and flavors. Trust me, once you serve these bacon cups, they’ll become the star of the show at every gathering. So, roll up your sleeves, fire up the grill, and get ready to impress with these delectable Smoked Mac and Cheese Bacon Cups.

Quick Benefits

• Indulgent Twist: Offers a unique and indulgent twist on traditional mac and cheese by serving it in smoky bacon cups, creating a dish that is rich in flavor and texture.
• Crowd-Pleaser: Guaranteed to impress and surprise guests at any gathering, adding an element of fun and excitement to the meal with the crispy bacon cups filled with creamy mac and cheese.
• Customizable: Allows for creativity and personalization with various cheese options, spice levels, and mix-ins, making it easy to cater to different tastes and preferences for a truly customized dish.
• Textural Contrast: The addition of a crunchy breadcrumb topping provides a delightful textural contrast, elevating each bite and enhancing the overall eating experience.

Why You’ll Love This Delicious Smoked Macaroni and Cheese Bacon Cups Recipe

• Unique and Impressive Dish: The combination of bacon cups filled with smoked gouda and cheddar mac and cheese is a show-stopping dish that will impress your guests and leave a lasting impression.
• Perfect for Gatherings: Ideal for outdoor gatherings like barbecues, tailgates, pool parties, or summer cookouts, these bacon cups are a hit at any event where grilling is involved.
• Rich and Smoky Flavor: The smoked gouda and cheddar cheeses, combined with the smokiness from the bacon, create a deep and complex flavor profile that elevates the traditional mac and cheese.
• Textural Contrast: The crunchy breadcrumb topping adds a delightful textural contrast to the creamy mac and cheese and crispy bacon cups, making each bite more interesting and satisfying.
• Customizable: The recipe offers various customization options, such as using different smoked cheeses, adding jalapeños for heat, mixing in pulled pork or brisket, or trying different BBQ rubs, allowing you to tailor the dish to your taste preferences.
• Versatile Presentation: Serve them as a side dish or an appetizer, and pair them with traditional barbecue sides or as part of a game day spread, making them a versatile addition to any menu.
• Best Eaten Fresh: While components can be prepared ahead, the bacon cups are at their crispiest and the mac and cheese at its creamiest when freshly baked, ensuring a delightful eating experience.

Ingredients for Delicious Smoked Macaroni and Cheese Bacon Cups

For the Bacon Cups

• 1 tablespoon BBQ rub (sweet variety)
• 12 strips bacon

For the Mac and Cheese

• 5 1/2 cups whole milk
• 2 cups smoked cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 cup parmesan cheese, grated
• 16 oz small pasta shells or elbow macaroni
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups smoked gouda cheese, shredded
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded

For the Bread Crumb Topping

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose seasoning or BBQ rub
• 3/4 cup bread crumbs

How to Make Delicious Smoked Macaroni and Cheese Bacon Cups

Step 1: Set Up Your Grill

Preheat your grill or smoker to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step 2: Form the Bacon Cups

Invert a muffin tin. Place 2 strips of bacon in an X shape in each cup, using half a strip for each X. Wrap a whole strip around the sides of each cup, overlapping the ends. Repeat for all 6 cups. Sprinkle sweet BBQ rub over the bacon.

Step 3: Cook the Bacon Cups

Cook the muffin tin on the grill for 45 to 55 minutes until the bacon is fully cooked but not overly crispy. Remove from the grill, allow to cool, then gently remove the bacon cups from the tin and set aside.

Step 4: Make the Topping

Combine melted butter, bread crumbs, and all-purpose seasoning in a small bowl until well mixed. Set aside.

Step 5: Start the Cheese Sauce

In a saucepan over medium heat, melt 6 tablespoons of butter. Add flour and whisk continuously for about a minute until the mixture thickens and becomes paste-like.

Step 6: Finish the Cheese Sauce

Gradually add milk while whisking. Cook and whisk until mixture thickens and bubbles. Remove from heat, then stir in four cheeses until melted and smooth. Set aside.

Step 7: Cook the Pasta

1. Boil a large pot of water. Cook pasta for one minute less than package instructions. Drain and return pasta to pot. Stir in cheese sauce until coated.

Step 8: Fill the Bacon Cups

Fill each bacon cup with mac and cheese, then sprinkle the bread crumb mixture on top.

Step 9: Bake the Cups

Transfer the filled bacon cups to a foil pan and cook on the grill or in the smoker for approximately 30 minutes until the tops are golden brown and crispy.

Storage Tips

After baking, these smoked mac and cheese bacon cups are best eaten fresh and hot. If you need to prepare components ahead of time, you can form and cook the bacon cups a day in advance and store them in an airtight container in the fridge. Make the mac and cheese fresh and assemble everything just before the final baking. Fully assembled and baked cups can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 days, tightly covered. However, note that the bacon will soften significantly from the moisture in the mac and cheese. To reheat, place them in a 350-degree oven or on the grill for about 15 minutes until heated through. While the bacon won’t get crispy again, the flavor will still be good. Avoid microwaving as it can make the bacon rubbery.

It is not recommended to freeze these smoked mac and cheese bacon cups as the texture of both the bacon and the mac and cheese changes significantly when frozen and thawed. The bacon cups maintain their crispiness and the mac and cheese is at its peak creaminess when freshly made. These individual servings are perfect for outdoor gatherings like barbecues, tailgates, and pool parties. Serve them fresh off the grill while the cheese is super melty for the best taste. Experiment with different smoked cheeses, additional toppings like jalapeños or pulled pork, and various BBQ rubs to customize the flavors to your liking. These bacon cups are a delightful and indulgent treat that is sure to impress your guests.

Ingredient Substitutions

For a lighter alternative, you can substitute turkey bacon for the regular bacon in this recipe. While the flavor and texture won’t be exactly the same, turkey bacon offers a leaner option while still providing a crispy and savory element to the dish. Keep in mind that turkey bacon may cook faster than regular bacon, so adjust cooking times accordingly to ensure it is properly cooked.

If you prefer a different cheese combination, consider using smoked provolone or smoked gruyere instead of the smoked gouda and cheddar. These cheeses will still provide a smoky flavor but with a slightly different profile, adding variety to the dish. Experimenting with different cheese options can personalize the flavor of the mac and cheese bacon cups to suit your preferences or to create a new twist on the original recipe. Remember to shred the cheese from blocks for a creamier and smoother sauce, enhancing the overall texture and taste of the dish.

Serving Suggestions

For a creative serving suggestion with the Smoked Mac and Cheese Bacon Cups, try arranging them in a circular pattern on a large wooden board, placing a small bowl of extra BBQ rub in the center for guests to sprinkle on top for an extra kick of flavor. This visually appealing presentation will make them the centerpiece of any gathering and encourage interactive seasoning to suit individual tastes.

To elevate the flavor profile, serve the Smoked Mac and Cheese Bacon Cups with a side of tangy pickles or pickled vegetables like okra or jalapeños. The acidity and crunch of the pickles will complement the rich and smoky flavors of the dish, creating a well-rounded and satisfying culinary experience for your guests.

FAQs for Delicious Smoked Macaroni and Cheese Bacon Cups

Can I substitute the smoked cheeses for regular ones?

You can substitute regular gouda and cheddar for the smoked versions, but keep in mind that the smokiness from the cheese is what ties all the flavors together with the bacon. Using smoked cheeses adds a depth of flavor that enhances the overall taste of the dish.

How important is it to shred my own cheese instead of using pre-shredded cheese?

Shredding your own cheese from blocks instead of using pre-shredded cheese makes a noticeable difference in the creaminess and smoothness of the sauce. The coating on pre-shredded cheese can prevent it from melting as smoothly, so taking the extra few minutes to shred your own cheese is worth it for a better texture.

Can I make the bacon cups ahead of time?

You can form and cook the bacon cups a day in advance and store them in an airtight container in the fridge. However, it’s recommended to make the mac and cheese fresh and assemble everything right before the final baking for the best results. If fully assembled and baked, the cups can be kept in the fridge for up to 2 days, but note that the bacon will soften significantly from the moisture in the mac and cheese.

How should I reheat leftovers of the smoked mac and cheese bacon cups?

To reheat leftovers, place the cups in a 350-degree oven or on the grill for about 15 minutes until heated through. The bacon won’t get crispy again, but they will still taste good. Avoid microwaving the cups as it can make the bacon rubbery and affect the texture of the dish.

Conclusion

I hope you enjoy making and sharing these flavorful and indulgent Smoked Mac and Cheese Bacon Cups as much as I have. The combination of crispy bacon, creamy smoked cheese, and perfectly cooked pasta truly makes this dish a showstopper at any gathering. Remember to take your time with each step, from forming the bacon cups to choosing the right cheeses, as it all adds up to a delicious final result.

Whether you’re hosting a barbecue, tailgate, or simply craving a unique and tasty treat, these Smoked Mac and Cheese Bacon Cups are sure to impress your guests and leave them coming back for more. Get creative with different variations and toppings to suit your taste preferences and make each batch your own. So fire up the grill, gather your ingredients, and get ready to delight everyone with these unforgettable bacon-wrapped mac and cheese delights. Enjoy the process and savor every bite of these incredible Smoked Mac and Cheese Bacon Cups!