Smoked Mac Bacon Cups (Printer-Friendly)

Crispy bacon cups hold smoky, cheesy pasta shells topped with buttery breadcrumbs and BBQ spices.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Bacon Cups

01 - 12 slices thick-cut bacon
02 - 1 tablespoon Sugar Daddy BBQ rub

→ Breadcrumb Topping

03 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
04 - 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
05 - 1 teaspoon SuckleBusters SPG BBQ rub

→ Cheese Sauce

06 - 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
07 - 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
08 - 2 cups whole milk
09 - 1 cup shredded smoked Gouda
10 - 1 cup shredded smoked cheddar
11 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
12 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella
13 - 1 teaspoon SuckleBusters SPG BBQ rub

→ Pasta

14 - 2 cups small pasta shells or elbow macaroni

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Preheat grill or smoker to 350°F. Using a muffin tin flipped upside down, arrange 2 pieces of bacon per cup: 1 piece halved and crossed as an X over the mold, and 1 whole slice wrapped around to form a cup. Sprinkle each with Sugar Daddy BBQ rub. Place tin on grill and cook for 45–55 minutes until bacon is fully cooked but not overly crisp. Cool before carefully removing bacon cups.
02 - Combine melted butter, panko breadcrumbs, and SPG BBQ rub in a small bowl. Mix until evenly coated. Set aside for topping.
03 - In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute forming a roux. Gradually pour in milk, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Cook until sauce thickens and bubbles. Remove from heat and stir in smoked Gouda, smoked cheddar, Parmesan, mozzarella, and SPG BBQ rub until fully melted and smooth.
04 - Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add pasta and cook 1 minute less than package instructions to maintain firmness. Drain and return to pot. Pour cheese sauce over pasta and stir gently to coat thoroughly.
05 - Spoon cheese-coated pasta into cooled bacon cups, filling gently without overpacking. Top each with prepared breadcrumb mixture. Place cups in a foil pan and bake uncovered on grill at 350°F for 30 minutes until topping is golden and bubbling.

# Helpful Hints:

01 - Allow bacon cups to cool before filling to ensure they retain their shape.
02 - Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container refrigerated up to 3 days or frozen wrapped individually.
03 - Using smoked cheeses imparts authentic smoky flavor when grill or smoker is unavailable.

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