Campfire Mac and Cheese with Potato Chip Topping

Quick, easy, and super cheesy, this Dutch Oven Mac & Cheese is a great way to make this comfort food classic when camping.

Loaded with creamy, buttery, cheesy goodness, mac & cheese can really hit the spot when we’re out camping. Especially when the evening air begins to cool, there’s nothing more satisfying than tucking into a bowl of heart-warming, stomach-filling Mac & Cheese. It’s our happy place.

While you can use any cheese you like, we do recommend grating it yourself if possible. Pre-shredded cheeses are covered in an anti-caking coating, which is best to avoid altogether (and it will impede the cheese’s ability to melt into a creamy sauce). And a golden rule is you want a 2:1 cheese to pasta ratio. If you’re putting 1 cup of pasta in, then it needs 2 cups of freshly grated cheese.

A few other key additions: garlic powder and a little bit of mustard. There is something about this flavor combination that really amplifies the flavor of the mac & cheese and gives it an appealing golden color.

But what really takes this Mac & Cheese to the next level is the crumbled potato chip topping! Not only does it add a little textured crunch, they also allow you to introduce a new set of flavors to the party.

So if you’re in the mood for something cheesy and delicious on your next camping trip, give this Dutch Oven Mac & Cheese a try.

Ingredients

2 cups elbow macaroni
2 cups water
2 tablespoons butter
¼ teaspoon salt
4 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
1-2 tablespoons mustard
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
5 oz bag of your favorite potato chips

Instructions

Prepare your coals or campfire.
Add the elbow macaroni, water, butter, and salt to a 4-qt Dutch oven. Cover and place on top of a small bed of coals or embers. Place 10-15 coals on top of the Dutch oven. Cook for about 10 minutes, until the pasta is tender and most (but not all) of the liquid has been absorbed.
Carefully remove the Dutch oven from the campfire and set aside the lid.
Stir in the shredded cheese, mustard, and garlic powder and add more salt if needed.
Serve in bowls or on a plate, and top with crushed chips. Enjoy!