• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Girl Heart Food®
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Main Dish Recipes

    Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese (With 5 Cheeses)

    Published: November 13, 2017 Updated: June 13, 2022 / By: Dawn | Girl Heart Food 26 Comments

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Email
    Jump to Recipe
    Creamy baked mac and cheese in a baking dish garnished with parsley and crispy bacon.

    Beer, cheese and pasta is definitely a winning combination, don’t ya think? Enter this delicious creamy baked mac and cheese recipe! This baked pasta has mozzarella, cheddar, Gouda, Parmesan and cream cheese for one creamy bite. The beer adds a subtle flavour and sweetness to the mix; it’s definitely comfort food that’s perfect on a cold day.

    Creamy baked mac and cheese in a baking dish garnished with parsley and crispy bacon.

    Hi everyone! How’s it going? Around here the weather is getting colder. I’m totally about all things comfort from my clothes (hello oversized sweaters, warm socks, and leggings) to a bazillion candles lite for ambiance to, of course, my food.

    Truth be told, I’m always about comfort food (well about 99.9% of the time). The remaining 0.1% is behaving because, well, it’ll be a life-long journey in stretchy pants. Feel me?

    Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese

    It may look like a fair number of ingredients here but, honestly, they are all very simple pantry and fridge staples.

    This recipe yields lots so it’s perfect for feeding a family, or for entertaining when you have friends over.

    There’s a creamy sauce and loads of cheese for one creamy, comforting dish. Homemade mac and cheese never looked so good!

    Ingredients for a baked mac and cheese recipe.

    I opted to crisp up the bacon separately from the mac. Why? I didn’t want all that bacon grease spreading all over the place.

    Close-up of mac and cheese in a baking dish with crispy bacon and parsley on top.

    What To Serve With Mac and Cheese

    Now, there’s a little matter of condiments!

    It’s highly debatable on what type of condiment goes on mac and cheese. Do you enjoy yours as is? Or do you drizzle with your favourite condiment or sauce (I’m looking at you ketchup and hot sauce)?

    Some people may shiver at the thought of ketchup with pasta, but I grew up with the stuff. These days, I don’t use ketchup for my mac, but definitely hot sauce. Dad still rocks the ketchup. You do you, am I right?

    If you want to make things even more substantial, a lovely green salad pairs great with this baked mac and cheese recipe.

    Baked mac and cheese in a baking dish with a spatula resting on top.

    The only problem with this creamy baked mac and cheese is having to wait for it to cool a bit before digging in but, trust me, it’s worth the wait.

    Forkful of mac and cheese with a small piece of crispy bacon and parsley on it.

    More Yummy Comfort Food Recipes

    • Cheesy Baked Gnocchi Casserole
    • Turkey Pasta Bake
    • Stuffed Spaghetti Squash

    If you make this creamy baked mac and cheese recipe, be sure to leave a comment below!

    Creamy baked mac and cheese in a baking dish garnished with parsley and crispy bacon.

    Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese (With 5 Cheeses)

    Dawn | Girl Heart Food
    Beer, cheese and pasta is definitely a winning combination, don't ya think? Enter this delicious creamy baked mac and cheese recipe! This baked pasta has mozzarella, cheddar, Gouda, Parmesan and cream cheese for one creamy bite. The beer adds a subtle flavour and sweetness to the mix; it's definitely comfort food that's perfect on a cold day.
    Print Recipe Save RecipeSaved!
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 1 hr 5 mins
    Cooling Time 15 mins
    Total Time 1 hr 35 mins
    Course Main Course
    Servings 8 servings
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients
     

    • Baking spray or butter, for greasing baking dish
    • 3 cups milk, use whole milk or 2% milk fat
    • 1 pound dried macaroni pasta (elbow macaroni)
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 small yellow onion, peeled and minced
    • 2 cloves garlic, minced
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon paprika
    • 1 teaspoon mustard powder
    • ½ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
    • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
    • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
    • ¼ cup unsalted butter
    • â…“ cup all-purpose flour
    • 1 (12-ounce) bottle lager beer, use your favourite variety
    • ¼ cup cream cheese, softened and cut into small cubes
    • 3.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
    • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
    • 1 cup shredded gouda cheese
    • ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
    • ½ cup panko bread crumbs
    • ¼ pound bacon slices, about 4 to 5 slices
    • Fresh parsley, roughly chopped (optional)

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray a baking dish (like a 9-inch x 13-inch deep baking dish) with cooking spray or grease with butter and set aside.
    • Place milk in a small saucepan and keep over low heat just to warm through.
    • Cook macaroni pasta according to package instructions one minute short of al dente (it will finish cooking in the oven). Drain and set aside.
    • Heat olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot on the stovetop over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring often, until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook an additional 1 minute. Add salt, pepper, paprika, mustard powder, cayenne pepper, nutmeg, and black pepper. Stir.
    • Add butter to onion mixture and melt. Add flour and stir to combine and cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Add half of beer, stirring until thickened slightly. Add remaining beer, stirring for a couple more minutes until thickened slightly.
    • About a cup at a time, add the warmed milk to the pot, stirring between each addition and letting thicken slightly. Add cream cheese and whisk until incorporated.
    • Turn off heat and add 2 cups of mozzarella cheese and all of the cheddar cheese and gouda. Stir in cooked pasta.
    • Pour pasta mixture into prepared baking dish. Top with bread crumbs, Parmesan and remaining 1.5 cups of mozzarella cheese. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until top has browned slightly and mixture is bubbly.
    • Carefully remove from oven and let cool for 15 to 20 minutes.
    • While mac and cheese is cooling, place bacon on a sheet pan (in a 375 degree Fahrenheit oven) and bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until crispy. Remove and drain on a paper towel-lined plate to remove any excess grease. Crumble over mac and cheese and garnish with parsley to taste, if using. Serve and enjoy!

    A note on times provided: appliances vary, any prep and/or cook times provided are estimates only.

    Keyword beer mac and cheese, cooking with beer, recipe with beer

    Tried this recipe?

    If you do make this recipe, thank you!! It would mean so much if you could leave a comment below. Love to know how you enjoyed it, and it helps other readers too!

    More Main Dish Recipes

    • Loose Meat Sandwich
    • Fries, Dressing and Gravy
    • Cheese Lovers Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese
    • Sausage Stir-Fry

    © Girl Heart Food Inc. All photographs and content are COPYRIGHT PROTECTED.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Karen @ Seasonal Cravings

      November 28, 2017 at 8:07 pm

      Beer in mac n cheese? Oh yes girl, I am so in! This looks delicious!

      Reply
      • Girl Heart Food

        November 29, 2017 at 8:31 am

        Thanks Karen! Two delicious things collide 😉

        Reply
    2. Miriam

      November 23, 2017 at 5:54 am

      Cheese, carbs, beer & crispy bacon in one dish – yessss please! It is all about comfort food this time of the year and truth be told I could eat comfort food all year too 🙂 I am sure my boys would love the sound of this dish too – I guess they’d only hear crispy bacon & beer and already start drooling! Have a lovely weekend, Dawn!

      Reply
      • Girl Heart Food

        November 23, 2017 at 9:50 am

        I’m glad I’m not the only one 😉 Haha! I bet! Thanks Miriam…have a lovely weekend too!

        Reply
    3. Katherine | Love In My Oven

      November 17, 2017 at 11:09 am

      Beer in the mac n cheese sounds more than delightful!!! I would definitely be adding a little hot sauce to the dish 😉 Great idea to cook the bacon separately! This casserole is so cozy and delightful, perfect for a cold winter’s day!!

      Reply
      • Girl Heart Food

        November 17, 2017 at 6:34 pm

        It really is 😉 Thanks so much, Katherine! Happy weekend!

        Reply
    4. Luci's Morsels

      November 15, 2017 at 12:05 am

      Love the use of beer in mac and cheese! The perfect way to add something interesting to a tried and true classic!

      Reply
      • Girl Heart Food

        November 15, 2017 at 8:37 am

        Thanks Luci 🙂

        Reply
    5. Cindy

      November 14, 2017 at 10:39 pm

      Yummy! Sounds perfect for Thanksgiving weekend. I love mac and cheese. Genius idea with beer. Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
      • Girl Heart Food

        November 15, 2017 at 8:37 am

        Thanks Cindy! It really would 🙂

        Reply
    6. Tracy | Baking Mischief

      November 14, 2017 at 4:30 pm

      Dawn, this looks soooo good! We are finally getting cool fall weather here is SoCal, and now I want to eat ALL THE COMFORT FOOD. Seriously wish I were tucking into a big bowl of this right now, maybe with a little hot sauce, definitely *not* ketchup. 😉

      Reply
      • Girl Heart Food

        November 15, 2017 at 8:34 am

        Thank you Tracy! Haha – no ketchup for you? I get it, but hot sauce is definitely good 😉 Hope you’re having an awesome week!

        Reply
    7. [email protected]

      November 14, 2017 at 3:10 pm

      Nothing like a good mac ‘n cheese! I have to be honest – I’ve never even thought to use a condiment on mine….but now you’ve got me thinking! May have to try the hot sauce! Hope your week is going splendidly, my friend! XO

      Reply
      • Girl Heart Food

        November 15, 2017 at 8:32 am

        I agree, Annie!! Hot sauce is really great with it, but I am a fan of spicy stuff 😉 Have a wonderful week! XO

        Reply
    8. Marissa

      November 13, 2017 at 4:57 pm

      Oh man does this look like LUSCIOUS mac and cheese – funny how a little booze adds depth to dishes. Like rum with chocolate and BEER with CHEESE!! Delish my friend…

      Reply
      • Girl Heart Food

        November 14, 2017 at 12:36 pm

        Thank you Marissa! I know, right? Cheers to a lovely week 🙂

        Reply
    9. Sarah

      November 13, 2017 at 2:20 pm

      I’ve never heard of anyone putting ketchup on their mac and cheese! Lol. That’s funny! And beer in mac and cheese is brilliant!

      Reply
      • Girl Heart Food

        November 13, 2017 at 4:34 pm

        Haha! Really? Maybe it’s a Canadian thing? Thanks Sarah 🙂

        Reply
    10. Milena | Craft Beering

      November 13, 2017 at 1:47 pm

      Music to my ears and candy for my eyes:) Of course I wholeheartedly endorse this deliciousness you have going on here! You know where this one is getting pinned to – my Cooking with Beer board of course:) Bravo, Dawn!

      Reply
      • Girl Heart Food

        November 13, 2017 at 3:59 pm

        Haha! For sure! I kinda figured you would approve 😉 Thanks so much, Milena!

        Reply
    11. Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice

      November 13, 2017 at 12:27 pm

      Comfort food is the best! Especially when the weather gets cold and you can eat it while snuggled under a warm blanket. This mac ‘n cheese is calling my name! Love the beer in here! I bet this would make a delicious dinner and great for leftovers, too! Pinned! Hope your week is off to a good start!

      Reply
      • Girl Heart Food

        November 13, 2017 at 12:39 pm

        Sounds like a plan to me 😉 Thanks for the sweet comment and Pin, Gayle! Have a wonderful week 🙂

        Reply
    12. Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen

      November 13, 2017 at 11:01 am

      What?? OMG! This sounds amazing Dawn! All the years I’ve made mac n’ cheese and I’ve never thought of adding beer to it! What is wrong with me?! I NEED to try this recipe! Pinned! Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
      • Girl Heart Food

        November 13, 2017 at 12:37 pm

        Thank you so much, Mary Ann!! You really do – it’s delicious 🙂 Have a lovely week!

        Reply
    13. Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen

      November 13, 2017 at 10:45 am

      Dawn, all I want for breakfast now is a huge plate of this mac and cheese. Holy moly! This looks so good I can’t even take it! Cheese + carbs = LOVE :). Have a great week, girlie!

      Reply
      • Girl Heart Food

        November 13, 2017 at 12:35 pm

        Thank you Kelsie! Can’t blame ya there 😉 Have a great week too!

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Profile picture of Dawn from Girl Heart Food.

    Hi, I'm Dawn! Welcome to Girl Heart Food, a food blog that's all about easy comfort food recipes (especially cheesy recipes) that'll satisfy your taste buds and make your belly happy. Have a look around and find something that'll inspire you to get into the kitchen and whip up something delicious to enjoy today!

    More about Girl Heart Food →

    Currently Trending

    • Cheesy Ground Beef Quesadillas
    • Old-Fashioned Cabbage Rolls (Inspired by Nan)
    • Buttermilk Fried Crispy Chicken Burger
    • Pan Fried Smelt Recipe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

    Footer

    ^ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use

    Newsletter

    • Sign up for emails & updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    Copyright © 2023 Girl Heart Food Inc.

    Girl Heart Food® is a Registered Trademark.

    Use of this site constitutes acceptance of its Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.