June 3, 2025<\/time><\/p>\nThe Ingredients That Make It Work<\/h2>\n The short answer: add onion and peppers. The better answer, add grilled onion and peppers. <\/p>\n
And while you\u2019re at it, introduce the smoky umami flavors of ham. The better answer: while you\u2019re grilling the onions and peppers, grill the ham. (By the way, bacon works just as well as ham.) <\/p>\n
To upscale the mac and cheese further, you could add lobster. A lot of restaurants do, boosting the price accordingly. I personally like my lobster plain\u2014with melted butter, but without macaroni and cheese\u2014but I\u2019m not about to interfere if you want to. <\/p>\n
The final twist\u2014and dare I say, the genius of this recipe\u2014is to smoke-roast the mac and cheese itself on the grill. You do this indirect grilling instead of baking it, adding wood chips or chunks to the coals. <\/p>\n
Here then is the Raichlen mac and cheese. Boring side dish no more. <\/p>\n
What you need to know:<\/strong><\/p>\n\nMac and cheese lives or dies by the cheese. I like sharp, aged cheddar. How aged? At least 6 months; one year is better. For an Alpine touch, substitute cave-aged gruyere. Or for an Italian twist, add smoked mozzarella. You could even use pepperjack. <\/li>\n Likewise, for the best results, use homemade breadcrumbs. I store stale bread pieces in the freezer until I have enough, then I reduce them to crumbs in a food process, then toast them on a baking sheet. You can also toast them in a cast iron skillet with plenty of butter.<\/li>\n Don\u2019t like peppers? Add slivered shiitake mushrooms or grilled corn kernels. Or both. <\/li>\n To make Tex-Mex mac and cheese, add diced grilled jalapenos and substitute crumbled tortilla chips for the breadcrumbs. Just saying. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\nGrilling mac and cheese adds a layer of smoky flavor and texture you just can\u2019t get in the oven. With grilled vegetables, sharp cheese, and crisp breadcrumbs, this dish brings serious barbecue energy to the table\u2014whether you serve it as a side or let it take center stage. Get ready for the most flavorful mac and cheese you\u2019ve ever had in your life.<\/p>\n
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