Campfire macaroni and cheese – a little bacon, a little jalapeno, a lot of cheese.
4.84 from 6 votes
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By Christie Vanover | Published May 17, 2016 | Last Updated February 16, 2023

cast iron skillet of macaroni and cheese over a campfire

I don’t believe in sacrificing at the campsite. In fact, I’ve been known to cook an entire Thanksgiving dinner while camping.

Macaroni and cheese is one of those comfort foods that is so easy to cook outdoors. All you need is a cast iron skillet, a grill grate and a few pre-organized ingredients.

To make things simple, pre-cook your noodles at home. That way you don’t have to worry about boiling water and bringing another pot. Also, go ahead and chop the bacon and vegetables and shred the cheese.

Once it’s time to cook, heat that campfire, until the coals or wood start to ash over, and add the grill grate on top. Place the cast iron skillet on the grate, and start browning the bacon. Add the veggies until they’re softened.

This next step is pretty important. Move the skillet to a cooler part of the fire, and add the milk and cheese at the same time.

If you add the milk by itself over direct heat, you might scald it. By moving the skillet and including the cheese, you’ll cool down the pan to keep that from happening.

You’ll love this recipe so much, you’ll probably want to make it even when you’re not camping. Don’t worry, it can be made on a grill or stove top, too.

cast iron skillet of macaroni and cheese over a campfire

Campfire Macaroni and Cheese

Campfire macaroni and cheese – a little bacon, a little jalapeno, a lot of cheese.
Recipe by Christie Vanover
4.84 from 6 votes
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Servings 4
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Ingredients
 

  • 4 slices bacon chopped
  • 2 tbsp onions chopped
  • 1 jalapeno chopped
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 2 cups cooked macaroni noodles
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • Light the campfire. Place a grill grate on top of the campfire ring, over the fire. Place a cast iron skillet on the grate.
  • Add the bacon to the skillet and cook until crispy. Add the onions and jalapeno and cook for about 1 minute, stirring often.
  • Move the skillet to the edge of the grate to reduce the heat. (careful not to tip over the grate) Add the milk and cheese. Stir until melted. Add the noodles and cook until warmed through. Season with salt and pepper.

Nutrition

Calories: 470kcalCarbohydrates: 26gProtein: 22gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 16gCholesterol: 79mgSodium: 523mgPotassium: 210mgFiber: 1gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 705IUVitamin C: 4.5mgCalcium: 481mgIron: 0.8mg

This estimate was created using an online nutrition calculator

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