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Baked Mac & Cheese with Jerky Dust
By Traeger Kitchen
Take one taste of this twist on a classic and you won’t look back. Thick and creamy mac n’ cheese is topped with a crunchy, flavorful jerky topping.
Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
20 Minutes
Pellets
Apple
Ingredients
How many people are you serving?
6
Activating this element will cause content on the page to be updated.Units of Measurement:
main
| 4 Tablespoon | butter |
| 1 Medium | yellow onion, diced small |
| 2 Clove | garlic, minced |
| 5 Tablespoon | flour |
| 1 1/2 Cup | whole milk |
| 2 1/2 Cup | heavy cream |
| 3 Sprig | fresh thyme |
| 1 Sprig | rosemary |
| 2 Whole | Bay leaves |
| 1 Tablespoon | Whole black peppercorns |
| 1 Pound | shredded Gruyere cheese |
| As Needed | Salt |
| 1 Pound | elbow noodles |
| 1 Cup | panko breadcrumbs |
| 1/4 Cup | Parmesan cheese |
| 4 Tablespoon | butter, melted |
| 1/2 Tablespoon | smoked paprika |
| 4 Ounce | beef jerky, shredded in the blender |
Steps
1
When ready to cook, set Traeger temperature to 350°F and preheat, lid closed for 15 minutes.
350 ˚F / 177 ˚C
2
Heat butter in a medium stock pot over medium-high heat. Add onion and sauté for 5 minutes, or until translucent and tender. Add garlic and sauté 30 seconds more. Add flour and stir well with a wooden spoon. Cook roux for 1 minute until it smells slightly nutty. While whisking, stream in milk and cream. Continue to whisk until flour clumps are worked out.
Ingredients
4 Tablespoon butter
1 Medium yellow onion, diced small
2 Clove garlic, minced
5 Tablespoon flour
1 1/2 Cup whole milk
2 1/2 Cup heavy cream
3
Wrap herbs and black peppercorn in cheesecloth and tie up with twine. Drop into the cream mixture and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes until the liquid thickens. Remove cheesecloth with herbs and discard.
Ingredients
3 Sprig fresh thyme
1 Sprig rosemary
2 Whole Bay leaves
1 Tablespoon Whole black peppercorns
4
Remove from heat, whisk in Gruyere until melted through, and season with salt. Set aside until noodles are ready.
Ingredients
1 Pound shredded Gruyere cheese
As Needed Salt
5
Bring a large salted pot of water to a boil. Add noodles and cook for 6 to 8 minutes until al dente. Drain and rinse pasta.
Ingredients
1 Pound elbow noodles
6
Add to cheese sauce and stir to coat.
7
Pour mixture into a large cast-iron pan. In a small bowl, combine panko, Parmesan cheese, melted butter, and paprika. Stir well. Sprinkle mixture over mac and cheese then top with shredded jerky “dust.”
Ingredients
1 Cup panko breadcrumbs
1/4 Cup Parmesan cheese
4 Tablespoon butter, melted
1/2 Tablespoon smoked paprika
4 Ounce beef jerky, shredded in the blender
8
Place cast iron pan directly on the grill grate and bake 15 to 20 minutes until cheese sauce is bubbling and the top is lightly browned.
350 ˚F / 177 ˚C
9
Remove from the grill and serve. Enjoy!