Grilled Macaroni and Cheese

1. Slice your bacon into 1/4 inch pieces, put it into a skillet over medium heat and fry it until crispy. Then turn off the heat and drain off the grease.

2. In a large pot, boil your macaroni in some salted water for about 12 minutes. Then drain out the water and set the pasta aside.

3. Melt your butter in a large saucepan over medium low heat and then whisk in the flour to thicken. Stir and cook for about a minute. Add one of the cups of milk. Then start stirring in your cheeses. Gradually mix in the cheese until it is all added and has nicely melted. You need to play with the heat a little and get it hot enough to get the cheese melted without scorching it. Add the second cup of milk as needed if your cheese sauce is getting too thick.

4. Once the cheese is all melted add the jalapeno, black pepper, cayenne pepper, salt, and bacon.

5. Add your cheese sauce into the macaroni and mix well.

6. Preheat your grill to medium to high heat. Prepare a large pot or pan that is safe to cook with on the grill (Dutch oven) by wiping down the inside with some melted butter. Pour in your macaroni and cheese and smooth the top. Then sprinkle the breadcrumbs and (optionally) a little more cayenne pepper, on the top. Don’t put the lid on.

7. Place the Dutch oven on the grill with whatever meat you’re cooking and close the grill. Cook for 10-15 minutes if the grill is on high or a bit longer if it’s lower. Once the top is a little crusty and you can see some nice browned stuff on the edge you’re done. Take it off the grill and let set up for a few minutes before serving.

If you’ve never had real homemade mac and cheese you won’t believe how good this stuff is.