Campfire Mac and Cheese (15 Minutes Prep, 1 Dish) (2024)

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.

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!

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 n cheese is just like making mac and cheese any other way. The trick comes in storing it after it’s baked to 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).

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 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.