BEER Mac & Cheese
The nights are getting cooler and you are surely craving some comfort foods…
If you like Mac & Cheese (and you are over 21) than the flavor of a beer that you would normally just drink with your Macaroni & Cheese is the perfect addition to this classic (and takes it to the next level). We enjoyed this pasta dish with some friends as part of a beer-tasting menu night. In addition to this dish we had Crock-Pot Ribs and also shared a few different beers (small tasting glasses allowed us each to sample each beer).
A beer-tasting party is a great idea for your next tailgate party or get together.
Happy Football Season & Bring On the Fall!
IPA Macaroni & Cheese
| BEER Mac & Cheese |
- 1/2 lb of elbow macaroni, cooked just under al dente
- 5 cups of water + 2 bottles of your choice of ale
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled (optional if you need to make this vegetarian)
- 3 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 Tbsp all-purpose flour
- 6 oz IPA, or your favorite beer
- 2 cups of grated white cheddar cheese
- 2 cups of sharp yellow cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup 2% milk
- 1 tsp mustard powder
- Generous pinch of salt for pasta water
- Nice pinch of cracked black pepper
- Begin by bringing your 24 ounces of beer and your water to a boil. Season with salt. Add the pasta and cook it just under al dente. While your pasta is cooking, cook the bacon until it is nice and crisp, and set aside to crumble.
- Get a large enough pan to hold the pasta. Bring your pan to a medium heat and toss in the butter. Let melt until nice and bubbly. Add in the flour. Stir and cook the flour until it is a nice golden color, then slowly add in the milk. Continue stirring until all of the lumps are out, then add in the six ounces of beer and continue stirring until everything is nice and smooth.
- Add your spices, stir and then toss in your cheeses, continuing to stir until you have a nice creamy cheese sauce.
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Add in the drained (cooked) pasta and the crumbled bacon. Stir well.
- Add your pasta into a greased casserole dish (large or individual sized – up to you). In a large dish, allow to cook for at least 30 minutes, in smaller dishes it might only need 20 minutes or so.
adapted from Simple Comfort Food
And I leave you with this, Today’s Question of the Day… What is your favorite dish that you can take to the next level with beer?