Description
This indulgent dish combines creamy, cheesy macaroni with tender, smoky brisket for the ultimate comfort food. Perfect for BBQ lovers and cheese enthusiasts alike!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Mac and Cheese:
- 16 oz elbow macaroni (or pasta of choice)
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 3 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded gouda cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
For the Brisket:
- 2 cups cooked, shredded, or chopped brisket
- ½ cup BBQ sauce (optional)
For the Topping (Optional):
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp melted butter
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
Instructions
Cook the Pasta:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Cook the macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Make the Cheese Sauce:
- In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt butter.
- Whisk in flour and cook for about 1-2 minutes until golden (this makes a roux).
- Slowly whisk in milk and heavy cream, stirring constantly until smooth.
- Add Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir well.
- Reduce heat to low and gradually add shredded cheeses, stirring until fully melted and smooth.
Combine with Pasta and Brisket:
- Add cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce, stirring to coat.
- Fold in the brisket, adding BBQ sauce if desired for extra flavor.
Prepare the Topping (Optional):
- In a small bowl, mix panko breadcrumbs with melted butter, Parmesan cheese, and smoked paprika.
Bake (Optional):
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Transfer mac and cheese to a greased baking dish, sprinkle with breadcrumb mixture, and bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown.
Notes
- Use leftover smoked brisket for the best flavor.
- Experiment with different cheese blends like Monterey Jack or pepper jack for a spicy kick.
- If you want a smoother sauce, blend in a bit of cream cheese.
- For a stovetop-only version, skip the baking step and serve immediately.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop / Baking (Optional)
- Cuisine: American, BBQ
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 100mg
Keywords: Brisket mac and cheese, BBQ mac and cheese, smoked brisket pasta, creamy mac and cheese, baked mac and cheese