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Grilled Mac and Cheese with Bacon and Chicken

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Anything you can cook in your oven can be made on the grill or smoker. And this Grilled Mac and Cheese recipe is no exception. We’re using the classic flavors of a Béchamel Cheese Sauce as the base, and jazzing it up with grilled chicken and crispy bacon.

Bonus, you can make this gluten free as well, just jump to recipe for details in the notes.

Grilled Mac and Cheese in a cast iron pan with bacon and panko topping.

There are infinite variations of making Mac and Cheese. This grilled version is a great starting place with a basic cheese sauce, and then adding flavors and ingredients based on your preferences. In this case we add a touch of texture and flavor with the crispy bacon and added protein with some grilled chicken. But this can be modified in so many different ways.

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Ingredients

We are loading this Grilled Mac and Cheese with three difference cheeses.

  • Cheddar for the color and sharp flavor. Any cheddar will work for grilled mac and cheese. In this case we’re using a mild cheddar.
  • Fontina is a great melting cheese and adds a nice richness. Pepper Jack or even Gruyere can also be substituted.
  • Parmesan used in the panko crust. This adds a salty and nutty flavor and the texture is great for that extra crust layer.

In addition to the cheese we like a typical macaroni noodle. The tubes will absorb and fill with the sauce giving a creamy texture in every bite.

Grilled Chicken is great to add if you’re looking for a one pot meal with some protein. Simply grill up a large chicken breast and shred it, then add the shredded chicken to the filling.

Crispy bacon adds crunch and a salty flavor which is a great depth to the dish. Reserve half the bacon for the topping.

Basic Cheese Sauce

  1. Make a Roux. This is the base technique to thicken the milk and sauce for a creamy mac and cheese. Flour and butter are combined and put to heat in order to thicken the liquids.
  2. Make a white sauce (or basic Béchamel). This classic sauce is used for dishes like Alfredo and has classic flavors of nutmeg, Dijon mustard, and crème fraiche.
  3. Combine Cheeses and Macaroni. Add the melting cheeses and the already cooked macaroni to the pan and combine. Add the toppings for the crispy texture and then grill.
Basic white sauce, or Béchamel sauce in a cast iron pan
The Béchamel Sauce prior to adding cheese and macaroni.

Panko Topping

To give texture and a slight crunch to the finished dish, combine panko, paprika, Parmesan cheese, and some crispy cooked bacon in a dish. Sprinkle over the mac and cheese just prior to grilling. As the dish grills, the Parmesan will melt and the panko will get crunchy making each bite creamy and crunchy.

How to Make Grilled Mac and Cheese

  1. Preheat the grill for indirect grilling, using lump charcoal, and target the internal temperature of the grill at 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. Place the mac and cheese (in a cast iron pan or other high heat pan) over indirect heat.
  3. Grill uncovered for about 25 minutes or until you see the topping turn a golden color and bubbling along the edges of the mac and cheese.
Mac and Cheese on the MAK pellet grill cooking until crispy.
Grilled Mac and Cheese on the MAK Two-Star General Pellet Grill.

Wine Pairing for Mac and Cheese

The classic go-to for this grilled mac and cheese pairing is Chardonnay. Look for young oaked Chardonnay from Sonoma Valley, CA, as an ideal match. These will often have some notes of oak, but shouldn’t be too overpowering or distracting. You’ll find some sweet vanilla aromas balanced out by some bright tropical pineapple, lemon, and pear aromas that match well with the creamy mac and cheese.

Grilled Mac and Cheese in a cast iron pan.

More Mac and Cheese Recipes

Our grilled mac and cheese recipe was originally created and published in March of 2014 and updated March 2021 with new photos and recipe steps.

This post may contain affiliate links. This means if you click on the link, we may receive a small commission if you purchase through the link. We partner with brands we know and love and use and it helps keep the blog going!

Grilled Mac and Cheese in a cast iron pan.

Grilled Mac and Cheese with Bacon and Chicken

Creamy cheese, crispy bacon, grilled chicken, and classic macaroni cooked on the grill.
5 from 1 vote
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Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 579kcal
Author: Mary Cressler | Vindulge
Cost: $14.00

Ingredients

  • 12 ounces macaroni noodles
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons flour (Sub gluten free 1:1 all purpose flour if making this gluten free)
  • 2 cups whole milk (You can use low-fat or 2%, but it will be thinner, even with the roux. We recommend whole milk.)
  • 1 cup crème fraiche
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg (More or less depending on how you like the flavor)
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon coarse black pepper
  • 1 cup mild cheddar, shredded
  • 1 cup Fontina cheese, shredded
  • 3 slices crispy bacon, diced (Reserve half for the panko topping)
  • 1 cup shredded cooked chicken breast (About 1 large chicken breast)
  • ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, shredded
  • ¼ cup panko bread crumbs
  • ¼ teaspoon paprika

Instructions

Panko Topping

  • In a large bowl combine Parmesan cheese, panko, paprika, and bacon (use half the bacon for topping and half for the filling).

Grilled Mac and Cheese

  • Preheat grill to 375 degrees Fahrenheit using two-zone or indirect grilling.
  • Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Set aside.
  • In a 10-inch cast iron skillet, melt butter and flour over medium-low heat to form a roux or thick paste. Stir for 3 minutes, until a thick paste, but not browned.
  • Add milk to the roux, whisking continuously until the mixture comes to a boil. Then reduce heat to a simmer, allowing the sauce to thicken (about 5 minutes). Add the crème fraiche, Dijon mustard, nutmeg, salt and pepper. Whisk together to combine over low heat.
  • Turn off heat. Mix in the cheddar and fontina cheeses to the sauce, and combine. The cheese will melt quickly. Add half the bacon (reserving the other half for panko topping), macaroni, and all the chicken. Mix well to combine.
  • Top the mac and cheese with the panko parmesan bacon topping.
  • Place the skillet in the grill over indirect heat, and cook for 25 minutes uncovered until the the sides are bubbling and the top is golden and crispy. Remove and serve warm.

Notes

Bacon Recommendations: You can bake in oven at 375 degrees on a sheet tray for 12 minutes. Or you can smoke the bacon for two hours at 250 degrees Fahrenheit. (This can be done the day before).
Macaroni: Not all boxes are 12-ounces. Check the volume and adjust as needed.
Gluten Free: We have tested this recipe with Bob’s Red Mill 1:1 GF flour and GF panko and the ratios and flavor are the same as with regular all purpose flour. For macaroni, simply sub your favorite Gluten Free macaroni noodle. 
Find the perfect wine pairing at the Vindulge Wine Shop

Nutrition

Calories: 579kcal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Cholesterol: 94mg | Sodium: 595mg | Potassium: 394mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 815IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 465mg | Iron: 2mg
Tried this recipe? We would love to see!Mention @vindulge or use the hashtag #vindulge
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