Easy Beer Mac and Cheese.
Is there anything better than macaroni and cheese? I mean… really?
I don’t think so either.
Sure, we can all make the argument for chocolate or bacon or broccoli (um, who are you and what are you doing on this website?), but in the end we know that mac and cheese is in a league of it’s own.
It’s a weapon, really.
You can get whatever it is that you want with the perfect dish of cheesy noodles. Except maybe like five million dollars, which I reallllly need because I have a lot of shoes to buy and a lot of bacon to fry. And thanks to the invention of the internet I can do both at once. Winning.
Remember the night that I made this beer mac and cheese and served it with BBQ portobello sliders and couldn’t stop talking about it for four days because it was an ohhh so good meal and everyone within close proximity just wanted me to shut my trap? No… you probably don’t. Because I only subjected my real life friends and family to such misery and not my invisible internet friends. I seriously have no idea how I waited so long to tell you about this but for some reason I found things like cookies and cupcakes and even breakfast to be more important. Oh, and I kind of forgot about it because I have sooo much on my mind, like wondering when the heck I’m going to get to see Crazy Stupid Love (waiting is getting ridiculous) and really – I mean REALLY – are Ari and Mrs. Ari going to get back together (?!?) because they only have like, three more weeks. I can’t even take this.
But in the meantime… have you ever had beer cheese soup? It’s only one of the most delicious bowls of comfort you will ever taste and is always an essential part of my Octoberfest feast, which lasts much longer than just October. This pasta is like beer cheese soup… WITH CARBS. And crunch.
Hello heaven.
So yes. I’m fully convinced that a good bowl of mac and cheese can score you an engagement ring or maybe even just a free movie ticket or something. If anything, it makes the day that your credit card statement appears in the mail about a billion times better. Betcha Judy Blume never told you that.
Easy Beer Mac and Cheese
[inspired by my cousin, who mentioned beer mac on vacation last month]
serves 4-6
2 1/2 cups uncooked whole wheat elbow noodles
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons flour
8 ounces milk
8 ounces beer (I used an amber beer – it was what I had on hand)
8 ounces freshly grated cheddar cheese
4 ounces freshly grated parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
pinch of black pepper
pinch of nutmeg
1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
10 large basil leaves, chopped for garnish
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Prepare water for pasta and boil according to directions, shaving 1-2 minutes off of cooking time since pasta will continue to cook in the oven.
Heat a saucepan over medium high heat and add butter. Once melted and sizzling, whisk in flour to create a roux and cook until bubbly and golden in color, about 2 minutes. Add milk and beer into saucepan whisking constantly, then add cheeses and stir until melted. Turn heat down to medium and continue to stir, cooking for 5-6 minutes while mixture thickens. It will most likely NOT thicken like regular mac and cheese because of the beer, but you want it to thicken a little bit. Stir in pepper, paprika and nutmeg.
Add noodles (once cooked and drained) to a casserole dish, then pour cheese over top, mixing gently to combine. Top with panko bread crumbs and an additional sprinkle of cheese if desired. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until bubbly and golden on top.
Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes, then top with fresh basil.
There is only one way this can get better: bacon.
374 Comments on “Easy Beer Mac and Cheese.”
Beer + Mac n Cheese? I’m pretty confident you just made my boyfriend’s wildest dreams come true
Okay, I know I say this every day, but I love you. And once I get my hands on some gluten free beer, brown rice noodles, and vegan dairy products, I’m totally making this. And I know you’re cringing right now and that’s why I love you.
PS – I’m not invisible. I’m a real friend.
I’m only cringing because I know you HAVE to eat that.
I concur… mac & cheese is pretty much the ultimate comfort food, and it has been WAY too long since I last made it (I think it was lobster mac & cheese). Adding beer is a fabulous idea, and I’m sure my hubs would love this!
I just trembled a little at the idea of lobster mac & cheese. In a good way. Throw in beercheese and the thought of bacon, and I’ve become a shuddering mess. HELP! It’s nine in the morning and I can’t even REACH a kitchen until six p.m.
I’ve got to stop reading this blog at work.
You MUST make this: http://www.howsweeteats.com/2009/09/lobster-mac/. It is my signature dish and by far the best dish I’ve ever created. You will melt.
HOLY.
FREAKIN’
COW!!!
I will do your bidding, with joy in my heart.
By the way? My favorite bacon tip – fried crisp, and crumbled into maple oatmeal. Stir it good so the pieces play hide-n-seek while you eat it.
see Crazy Stupid Love asap!! it’s hilarious!
You just snatched my husband’s heart strings…..my too. ;-) Yummm…have you ever tried making beer bread? It’s super yum.
Yes, it has been waaaay too long since I had any!
Jessica you need to make beer bread and then give us all a look!
Sounds yummy Jess. Seems us Nikon gals were on the same brain waves last night, I made mac-n-cheese as well.
But then it is always an easy way to the boys hearts. ☺
Beer in anything is next to God. I NEED THIS!
Mac and cheese is my most favouritest meal ever. The addition of beer sounds inspired. I want to eat this right now.
I make almost the same cheese sauce for nachos for the husband since, let’s be honest, he’ll eat anything if the word “beer” is involved. Beer Mac would be right up his alley!
Oh my gosh, it looks so gooey and amazing. You’re right, mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food. Great work with this one :)
This would be Scott’s die and go to heaven food. And if you could incorporate potatoes into it, even better :)
I saw your last round of cookies, the salted dark ones, on FG. Congrats and of course the photos were beautiful and deserved to be there…and this mac n cheese should be entered next!
I don’t even like Mac and Cheese, but for this? I would not only like it, but devour the entire thing. You’ve outdone yourself lady!
Don’t like mac and cheese?!?! I think I need an explanation on this one.
Haha – I just don’t think anyone has made it look enticing enough for me. THIS however, has done the trick. Well done :)
Football food? Um, i think so!!!
holy.crap. you win…you always do!
Everything about this is excellent. I’m going to try this tonight!
YUM!
There really is no comfort food better than mac and cheese…. this looks unbeatable!
Thighs, meet kryptonite. Holy smokes–that looks outrageous. I’m curious, because I’ve never cooked with beer before, how does it affect the dish? Does it richen the flavor, or is it a texture thing?
Hmmm I’m honestly not sure, I don’t know culinary stuff like that! I just think it makes it taste good with a little hint of beer. :)
It just so happens that Mac & Cheese is on my weekly menu for tomorrow night (yes, I have a weekly menu planned – with three kids I have to have some sort of order in my life), and now I must go pick up beer so I can make this version. It’s okay to serve beer mac & cheese to my one- and three-year-olds, right?!
And, I’m making your “Mudslinger” cookies today, but the kids don’t get any of those. Those are all for Momma.
This will probably sound impossible to you, but I can’t stand the taste of beer!! However, I’m sure if I cooked this, any boy within walking distance of my house would come running. Maybe I’ll have to test it out… ;)
Angela, I hate beer as well, but I do like beer cheese dips and beer bread, so it’s worth a shot! ;)
I totally understand – I’ve always liked things made with beer but never beer itself – until recently. It really is an acquired taste!
I’m shocked that bacon didn’t make its way into this original version! For how extremely decadent it looks, the recipe is pretty simple – thanks for another great one!
I know… tried to keep it simple. Don’t worry, I think I have like 2 or 3 other mac and cheese recipes on here with bacon, ha!
YUM!!!!! Must TRY SOON!
Doesn’t get much better than beer and cheese. Must.make.soon.
About 20 years ago as a kid, I went to a fondue place that had a beer cheese fondue. I still dream about it to this day. Thanks for the recipe, I can’t wait to try it!
That’s actually how I was describing this dish to someone – like mac and cheese made with fondue!
YUUUUUUUUUUUUUM! And now I can enjoy an actual beer on the side, too.
Finally! :)
Confession: the only mac and cheese I have ever prepared came out of a blue box. I’ve only tasted the real thing a handful of times. I think it’s time.
are
you
joking
?????
Haha! They don’t make mac and cheese in Peru! My boyfriend’s sister made it once and it was good, but it always looked like too much work. You’ve convinced me with the beer and those panko crumbs though. I’m making this!
It can be a lot of work… but it’s totally worth it.
I can’t ever get my BF to deviate from his simple noodles and velveeta mac and cheese. If I put beer in it though, what man could resist a little mix up? I know I could use a break from the yellow box.
Actually! The reason I thought of this was because my cousin mentioned on vacation that one of his aunts uses beer to make velveeta shells and cheese! Maybe you could use the beer for the boxed version? ;)
NICE! Love this grown up version of mac n cheese. I’m a big fan of beer in my cheese fondue so it makes sense that it would be good in this dish too. Thanks!
Ok…. this is dinner tonight in my house! I can’t drink the beer so why not cook with it! Looks AMAZING.
I love mac and cheese but my confession is that I prefer the over-processed kind out of a box. I know that sounds crazy but I don’t really like real mac and cheese. It must be that amazing bright orange cheese powder?? ha!
My husband is a mac n cheese fiend. I actually made your Mexican mac and cheese for his bday this year. This looks even cheesy if possible!
*cheesier*…still drinking my coffee..
make and cheese is my all time favorite comfort food! this looks stuninng and I can’t believe you used beer…how yummy!
Just when I think you’ve done it all…this comes along. You’re the most creative cook out there!
my coworker from minnesota made us beer + cheese soup one time and it was SO good. I’m pretty sure I would love this.
I NEED to make this tonight! Great idea.
seriously. you’re posts make me drool. and laugh. you’re amazing!
Ohh my goodness.
Amazing!
Delicious!
Incredible!
Brilliant!
Every good adjective I can think of!
Amazing!! haha I love Mac and Cheese. It is the perfect dish! I will have to make the “beer” version for hubby!
Umm wow! I can’t say anything bad about this. I’m surprised no bacon was added to this delicious dish. ;)
Holy moly, this looks good! And this is why you’re not single!
I will be making this in the very near future.
You are 100% correct. There is nothing better than mac and cheese.
Seriously…when can I come over to eat this?
You’re so right… add the bacon!!! Yum!
Oh my goodness! This would make the perfect dinner for my husband and I. Thank you for sharing!
Judy “Blume”? she’s fantastic! (sorry I had to)
This mac & cheese? This could be eaten for breakfast…right?
unless we’re talking old actress..
Go see “Crazy, Stupid Love” NOW – it was soooo good! Also, my husband is going to love this – and now I wish I was making this for dinner…
I was going to suggest crumbling bacon over it… and then I read your last line :) glad we’re on the same page!
It is recipes like this that make me wonder WHY I decided to go vegan for the month. September 1st can’t come soon enough!!!
This sounds like the perfect comfort meal :)
You know, I’m not even a *huge* mac and cheese fan (gasp! blasphemy, I know), but this is making me crave some!!