Campfire Mac and Cheese Recipe (With Pictures) | HCW (2024)

I hope you will be as excited about this recipe I am sharing today for campfire mac and cheese as I am. Just because you are away from home and out in the wilderness, that doesn’t mean that cooking and eating can’t be just as exciting as it is at home. With just a tiny bit of prep ahead of time, you can still feed your family delicious meals that tick all the boxes of being a family favorite. This fabulous recipe is quick, easy, and incredibly delicious! Enjoy the rest of your camping trips with great companionship and meals. With this recipe, it will be very convenient to make in your campsites. It will be delicious that will make your trip even more memorable.

All the elements of this recipe are quickly stirred together in a bowl and then spooned into individual foil dishes, ready to wrap, label, pack into the cooler and then transport to your campsite!

This is a real favorite in our house. Even if you aren’t camping, you can still cook this in the backyard with your family, so break out the marshmallows for toasting and prepare yourself for a fabulous campfire cooking experience that the whole family will enjoy!

WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE CAMPFIRE MAC AND CHEESE

You will only need a few simple ingredients to put together this fabulous recipe. Add to that some individual foil pans for baking, as well as a foil for wrapping.

HINTS & TIPS

Follow my hints and tips to make the best Campfire Mac & Cheese ever!

1. Read the recipe through a few times to familiarise yourself with any ingredients, equipment, or steps you will need to follow. This gives you ample time to make sure you have everything you need.
2. Assemble all of the ingredients together in one place, along with anything else you might need. This will help to prevent you from leaving out anything integral to the recipe.
3. Cook your pasta in a saucepan filled with lightly salted boiling water. Make sure that the saucepan is large enough so that the pasta has plenty of room to move around in the water without sticking together or to the bottom of the pan.
4. Make sure your water is at a full boil before adding the pasta and maintains the boil once the pasta has been added. This also helps to prevent the pasta from sticking together and ensures it will cook properly. Stir it frequently to make sure that it doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pan.
5. Cook the pasta only to al-dente according to the package directions. This will help to make sure you end up with mac and cheese with the proper consistency and bite.
6. Drain the pasta well, and then rinse under cold running water to make sure you rinse off any excess starch. This also helps to prevent the pasta from sticking together.

Moreover

1. Grate your own cheeses for this dish. I have used three kinds, sharp cheddar for flavor, a Parmesan again for flavor, and some mozzarella to give that goo factor. You can use any combination of cheeses that you wish. Gouda also gives plenty of goo.
2. You can use either a bottled Alfredo sauce or a homemade Alfredo sauce. I make my own. (Simply melt 1 1/2 TBS of butter in a saucepan, add one fat clove of garlic (minced) and cook without browning until it becomes quite fragrant. Whisk in 1/2 cup of heavy cream, 1/2 cup of milk, and 1/3 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, seasoning to taste with salt and black pepper. Simmer until the sauce thickens and everything is well incorporated. Use as per recipe instructions.)
3. Butter your foil dishes well, along with the foil you are going to use to cover/seal them with.
4. Seal the dishes really well, so there is no spillage during the transportation. It is also helpful to label the foil packs with the name of what is in them, so you know without having to open them up.
5. Keep them in a chilled cooler until you are ready to cook them. It is helpful to place them into a large zip-lock baggie before storing them. This will make sure that no melting ice from the cooler compromises them.
6. When it is time to cook, do not lay the foil dishes directly on top of the fire. Place a grill rack over top of the coals so that the mac and cheese do not burn on the bottom.

Note – If you really want them to be cheesy, top each serving with an additional sprinkle of grated cheese before sealing the packs up.

HOW TO MAKE CAMPFIRE MAC AND CHEESE?

Step 1

Cook the macaroni according to package directions in a pot of lightly salted boiling water. Drain well, rinse with cold water and drain again.

Step 2

Place the cooked macaroni in a bowl. Stir in the Alfredo sauce along with the three kinds of cheese and just enough milk to keep things loose. Season to taste with salt and black pepper.

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Step 3

Spray four individual pie tins with non-stick canola oil spray. Much like with the campfire potatoes, your kids will appreciate having their own tin. Have ready four sheets of aluminum foil large enough to cover each pie tin completely. Spray the shiny side of each with canola cooking spray.

Step 4

Divide the mac and cheese mixture evenly between each pie tin.

Step 5

Seal each one tightly with a sheet of aluminum foil, greased side down. Chill until ready to cook.

Prepare your campfire or grill. If using a campfire, allow it to burn down to the coals. You don’t want flames. Place a cooling rack over the coals, leaving 2 to 3 inches between the rack and the coals. (Alternately use an outdoor grill.) Place the filled pie tins on top of the rack over the hot coals and cook for 8 to 10 minutes until heated completely through.

Remove from the fire/grill and serve immediately!

Step 6

This camp mac & cheese is so very tasty! You might not want to prepare it just for camping! You can also spoon this version of Mac & Cheese into one buttered glass baking dish, sprinkle some extra cheese on top, and then bake in a 350*F oven for 25 to 30 minutes until heated through and ooey gooey delicious!

WHAT GOES WELL WITH CAMPFIRE MAC & CHEESE

Bring along a foil-wrapped loaf of garlic bread that you can heat over the campfire along with the mac and cheese while it is cooking. You can either buy this readymade or make it yourself. To make it yourself, simply take a loaf of French bread and cut it in half horizontally. Slather both cut sides with garlic butter and put the cut sides back together.

Slice into serving-sized pieces and then reassemble as a loaf on a large sheet of foil. Wrap airtight, ready to pop onto the fire. You can also add some grated cheese to the middle if you wish. Bring along a large zip lock baggie of mixed salad and a separate jar of dressing. When ready to eat, throw the dressing into the bag with the salad, give it a good shake and it’s ready to serve. Don’t forget to pack the marshmallows, graham crackers, and bars of chocolate so you can enjoy S’mores with the family when you are done!

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One thing for sure, this is a dish your family is going to enjoy whether you are at your favorite campsite or in your own backyard!

Have you ever noticed that food cooked and eaten out of doors always tastes better??? I am not sure what the reason is behind this fact, but I do know that for us at least, it’s completely true!

I do so hope that you will want to try this fabulous campfire mac & cheese. Prepare yourself for a whole new level of wonderful deliciousness! It’s a perfect treat for outdoor activities. With this easy recipe, you can fully enjoy your time with friends and family. A great treat for everybody to have! Make sure to prepare this for everybody to share. Try it out!

Are you looking for dishes that you can easily prepare during your camping trips? Check out these recipes!