Beer + cheese + pasta is definitely a winning combination, don’t ya think? Enter this delicious creamy baked mac and cheese —>this one is packed with mozzarella, cheddar, gouda, parmesan and cream cheese for one creamy bite. The beer adds a subtle flavour and sweetness to the mix – definitely comfort food perfect for a cold day.
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, woolly 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, otherwise, it’s 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/fridge staples. And this recipe yields lots so it’s perfect for feeding a family, or for entertaining when you have friends over. And talk about cheesy and creamy! There’s a creamy bechamel sauce and loads of cheese for one creamy, comforting dish. Homemade mac and cheese never looked so good 😉
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. There’s a place for everything, including bacon grease, but it’s not in this recipe. Grandma’s deadly biscuits? Sure! Here? Nope!
How to Garnish this Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe
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 your favourite little somethin’ somethin’…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?? This ain’t rocket science or anything 😉
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.
Until next time take care and chit chat again soon 🙂
P.S. If you missed my last post, you can check it out here.
P.P.S If you think this creamy baked mac and cheese recipe will make your belly happy too, please be sure to hit that little Pin button. Many thanks, you guys! XO
Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese (with 5 Cheeses, Beer & Bacon)
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion -minced
- 2 cloves garlic -minced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp mustard powder
- 1/2 tsp cayenne powder
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1/3 cup all purpose flour
- 1 bottle beer -your fave
- 3 cups milk -whole or 2%
- 1/4 cup cream cheese -softened and cut into small cubes
- 3.5 cups mozzarella cheese -shredded, divided
- 1 cup cheddar cheese -shredded
- 1 cup gouda cheese -shredded
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese -shredded
- 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1/4 lb bacon slices -about 4-5 slices
- 1 package macaroni noodles
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley -roughly chopped, optional
- Pam cooking spray -or butter to grease baking dish
Instructions
- Place milk in a small pot and keep on low heat just to warm. Preheat oven to 375F.
- Cook pasta per package instructions. My pasta instructions were 5 minutes to al dente. Cook just short of that, about 1 minute less (it will finish cooking in the oven). Drain. Reserve.
- On the stove top on medium high heat in a large, heavy bottomed pot add olive oil and cook onion until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook an additional 1 minute. Add salt, pepper, paprika, mustard powder, cayenne powder, nutmeg, and pepper. Stir.
- Add butter to onion mixture and melt. Add flour and stir to combine and cook 2-3 minutes. Add half of beer to pot, stirring until thickened slightly. Add remaining beer, stirring for a couple more minutes until thickened slightly.
- About a cup at a time add milk to 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 and all of the cheddar and gouda. Stir in cooked pasta.
- Spray baking dish with cooking spray or grease with butter and pour mixture in. Top with bread crumbs and parmesan and remaining 1.5 cups of mozzarella cheese. Bake for 25-30 minutes until top has browned slightly and mixture is bubbly. Carefully remove from oven and let cool 15-20 minutes.
- While mac-n-cheese is cooling, place bacon on a sheet pan (in 375F oven) and bake 15-20 minutes until crispy. Drain on paper towel. Crumble over mac-n-cheese and garnish with parsley, if using. Enjoy!
Beer in mac n cheese? Oh yes girl, I am so in! This looks delicious!
Thanks Karen! Two delicious things collide 😉
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!
I’m glad I’m not the only one 😉 Haha! I bet! Thanks Miriam…have a lovely weekend too!
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!!
It really is 😉 Thanks so much, Katherine! Happy weekend!
Love the use of beer in mac and cheese! The perfect way to add something interesting to a tried and true classic!
Luci’s Morsels | fashion. food. frivolity.
Thanks Luci 🙂
Yummy! Sounds perfect for Thanksgiving weekend. I love mac and cheese. Genius idea with beer. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Cindy! It really would 🙂
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. 😉
Thank you Tracy! Haha – no ketchup for you? I get it, but hot sauce is definitely good 😉 Hope you’re having an awesome week!
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
I agree, Annie!! Hot sauce is really great with it, but I am a fan of spicy stuff 😉 Have a wonderful week! XO
This looks fantastic Dawn! Beer and cheese is one of the best combos ever! And I can’t believe I never thought to add beer to mac and cheese before! We have some of Quidi Vidi’s new Fogtown beer in the fridge but I may have to go get some 1892 to whip up this recipe. As for ketchup, it’s a necessity with mac and cheese! Happy Monday!
Thanks Leanne! Haha – glad you think so too 😉 Have a great week!
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…
Thank you Marissa! I know, right? Cheers to a lovely week 🙂
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!
Haha! Really? Maybe it’s a Canadian thing? Thanks Sarah 🙂
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!
Haha! For sure! I kinda figured you would approve 😉 Thanks so much, Milena!
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!
Sounds like a plan to me 😉 Thanks for the sweet comment and Pin, Gayle! Have a wonderful week 🙂
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!
Thank you so much, Mary Ann!! You really do – it’s delicious 🙂 Have a lovely week!
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!
Thank you Kelsie! Can’t blame ya there 😉 Have a great week too!