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Who says camp-side eating has to be boring? Campfire mac and cheese is a super easy recipe you can completely prep before heading to the campground. It’s a decadent, creamy, cheesy dish that is the perfect meal to enjoy post-hike.
save this recipe!Summertime means camping, and camping means campfire food! But you can do so much more with a campfire than simply roast s’mores.
This mac n cheese is so easy to prep, and it’s safe to eat as is! The only reason we cook it over a campfire is to melt all of that yummy cheese, making it feel like a decadent home-cooked meal wherever you are!
Reader rating
“Ok so I tried this and it is absolutely DELICIOUS! this is definitely easier than I thought it was going to be and everyone loved it thanks for the recipe 🙂” —Sophia
here’s what you’ll need for camping mac and cheese
Feel free to add salt to this mac and cheese, but I never feel like it needs it since parmesan is so salty already. Some black pepper adds a nice bite, though.
- Elbow Macaroni: You’ll need uncooked elbow pasta. Any noodle would work, but let’s be real — elbow is classic!
- Alfredo Sauce: Next, 1 cup of alfredo sauce is the magic ingredient that adds so much flavor and creaminess.
- The Cheese: Cheddar cheese provides a strong cheesy flavor, while parmesan cheese adds salty notes, and mozerella gives it that traditional cheese pull. It’s best to shred the cheese yourself as opposed to using pre-shredded cheeses.
- Milk: You can use any milk you like to bring together the creamy sauce. Half and half or heavy cream will create a richer sauce!
How to make mac n cheese while camping
Prepping campfire mac and cheese is just like making mac and cheese any other way. The trick is carefully storing it after it’s prepared so that you can easily reheat it over a campfire.
Step 1: Prepare The Pasta
Cook the macaroni in heavily salted water according to the instructions on the package.
Step 2: Combine The Ingredients
Stir together the cooked pasta, alfredo, cheeses, and milk.
Step 3: Assemble the dish
Spoon the mix into a disposable large aluminum pan (8×8 inch). Cover tightly with aluminum foil and store in a fridge or cooler until you’re ready to cook it (up to 3 days).
storing it in a cooler
Place the prepared pan in a gallon-sized Ziploc bag to prevent water from getting in!
Step 4: Cook The Mac and Cheese
Cook over hot coals or elevated over a fire. Cook until the cheese is melted and bubbling, about 20 minutes.
Sarah’s Tip
When cooking in aluminum containers over a campfire, avoid putting the containers directly on the flame, as it can burn through the pan! Hot coals, or even stones that are hot and have been in the fire, are best for getting even heat.
more campfire-friendly recipes
Campfire Mac & Cheese
Ingredients
- 2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni, 150 g
- 1 cup alfredo sauce, 240 g
- ½ cup shredded sharp cheddar, 56 g
- ½ cup shredded parmesan, 56 g
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella, 56 g
- ½ cup milk or half & half, 120 mL
Instructions
- Pasta: Cook macaroni in heavily salted water according to instructions on package.
- Stir: Stir together cooked pasta, alfredo, cheeses, and milk.
- Assemble: Spoon into a disposable aluminum pan (8 x 8 inch). Optionally top with a bit more cheese! Cover tightly with aluminum foil and store in a fridge or cooler until ready to cook (up to 3 days).
- Cook: Cook over hot coals, or elevated over a fire, until cheese is melted and bubbling, about 20 minutes.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information calculated by Sarah Bond, degreed nutritionist.
did you make this?Leave a comment below and tag @liveeatlearn on social media! I love seeing what you’ve made!
Was a huge hit with our camping reunion group. So easy, so good!!
I’m so happy to hear it, Patrice! Happy eating! 😀
I made this last summer to have on a week long Backcountry side by side trip! OMG delicious! I heated it up oin our grill box on the camp chef… It was perfect!
Thanks for the kind words, happy eating!
I made this a couple years ago for a family camping trip. Everybody fell in love with it so I have to make it all the time now and I even have to make it at home. We all enjoy this recipe thank you for sharing this.
Thrilled you loved it, thanks for the review!
I have a granddaughter who would eat this all day. Made it twice now and currently making it again fir our dinner with Sous Vide pork finished on the Barbecue and Fresh steamed green beans.
Nothing better than hearing this, thank you!