This Beer Mac and Cheese with Irish Cheddar & Guinness is the perfect cheesy way to celebrate St. Paddy’s Day! Loaded with Irih Butter, Irish White Cheddar and Guinness Beer, this tasty Mac and Cheese not only looks like a pot of gold, but it tastes like it, too!
Table of Contents
What is Guinness Mac and Cheese?
Embrace the spirit of St. Paddy's Day with a dish that's as festive as it is flavorful—Beer Mac and Cheese with Irish Cheddar & Guinness!
Imagine a concoction so divine, it weaves the rich, creamy textures of Kerrygold Salted Butter and the robust, tangy kick of Irish White Cheddar with the deep, malty notes of Guinness Beer.
This isn't just any mac and cheese; it's a culinary celebration, a nod to the Emerald Isle's hearty fare.
Each bite is a jubilant parade of flavors, marching straight to your taste buds.
Picture it: a dish so luxuriously cheesy, so decadently beer-infused, it's like finding your very own pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. In the world of comfort food, this Beer Mac and Cheese doesn't just raise the bar—it sets it aflame with Irish flair!
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Orecchiette - You could really use any pasta shape you prefer but i like this one because it looks like a pot of gold.
- Shallots - If you don't have shallots, you could use onion and garlic - just mince it super finely.
- Salted Butter - Only have unsalted butter on hand? No sweat! Just add an extra pinch of kosher salt to make up for it.
- Flour - You can use self rising or all purpose flour.
- Grainy Mustard - I like the grains but if you want to use a smooth mustard, that is totally fine, also!
- Guinness Beer - I think Guinness is a must in any Irish-themed recipe but you could absolutely switch it to something else - I'd just stay away from sour or bitter beer which will change the overall flavor profile.
- Irish White Cheddar - Any white cheddar will work just fine.
- Heavy Cream - Heavy cream is ideal but you could use half and half or another unsweetened nondairy creamer.
- Sharp Cheddar - Feel free to swap this for some american cheese if you need to.
- Yellow Mustard - I know it sounds weird to have two different mustards in a single mac and cheese recipe but this makes the cheese taste cheesier and it adds so much flavor. I do not recommend swapping this out for something else.
- Sriracha - You could add another hot sauce of your choice.
- Salt - Kosher salt is best and makes the food taste more like food rather than more salty.
How to Make Beer Cheese Mac and Cheese with Irish Cheddar & Irish Cheddar
Making this easy beer mac and cheese is quite simple!
Prep Pasta: To begin, boil your pasta according to the directions on the box and set aside.
Cook Base Flavors: Using a large sauce pan over medium heat, sauté shallots in Irish butter with a pinch of salt for a few minutes.
Create a Roux: Next, add flour and cook down until a roux forms.
Flavor the Roux: Add grainy mustard to the roux followed by some Guinness Beer.
Make it Creamy: After that, you'll stir in the heavy cream and let it simmer until the sauce has thickened.
Add in the Cheeses: Finally, you'll add in the Irish cheddar and some sharp cheddar and stir until it's all melted.
Final Seasonings: Lastly. Finish by adding a bit of yellow mustard, some sriracha. and salt to taste.
Notes about using Guinness in a Cheese Sauce
I should also note that you might be a little freaked out by the color of the cheese sauce.
Unfortunately Guinness is quite dark so it makes the sauce not so pretty. To fix that, I added in orange cheddar, yellow mustard and sriracha.
This not only makes the color of the sauce brighter and more appetizing, but it also adds more flavor! Oh, and it also is the closest thing to an edible pot of gold which is fun, too!
What goes with beer Mac and cheese?
If I were making this Guinness Mac and Cheese for St. Patricks' Day, I would absoultely pair it with some of these tasty dishes:
- Guinness Corned Beef and Cabbage - Perfect For the Oven or Slow Cooker
- Beer Cheese Bread with Guinness & Irish Cheddar
- Boozy Shamrock Shake with Baileys, Vodka & Creme de Menthe
- Reuben Grilled Cheese - the Ultimate Corned Beef Sandwich
- Sweet & Sauerkraut Pork with Apples
- Corned Beef Hash Patties
Frequently asked questions
What is the flavor profile of Irish cheddar cheese?
Irish Cheddar is know for it's deep, nutty undertones and bold, tangy finish. It's rich and creamy and perfectly sharp.
Why does beer and cheese go together?
Beer and cheese work perfectly together because the effervescent nature of beer cuts through the rich, velvety textures of cheese, creating a perfect balance of flavors that compliment each other.
What beer is best for beer cheese?
In most beer cheeses, I recommend using a light beer so that the flavor of the cheese really shows off. However, in this recipe, I recommend using Guinness because of it's Irish heritage.
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Recipe
Beer Mac and Cheese with Guinness & Irish Cheddar
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound orecchiette cooked al dente
- 1 medium sized shallot finely diced
- 3 tablespoon Kerrygold salted butter
- 2 tablespoon Flour
- 1 tablespoon Grainy Mustard
- ⅔ cup Guinness Beer
- 1.5 cups Heavy Cream
- 2 cups Kerrygold Irish white cheddar shredded
- 2 cups medium sharp cheddar shredded
- ¼ teaspoon yellow mustard
- ¼ teaspoon sriracha
- Salt
Instructions
- Prepare pasta according to the directions, strain and set aside.
- Add butter, diced shallots and a pinch of salt salt to a sauce pan. Sautee over medium heat for 4 minutes or until shallots become translucent. Add flour and whisk until a roux forms. Cook roux down for a few minutes but not long enough for it to darken. Add mustard and whisk again until incorporated.
- Slowly pour the beer and whisk it into the roux. As it bubbles, the beer sauce will thicken. When it’s thickened, whisk in the heavy cream and continue whisking until everything is combined. Keep the heat at medium and once the cream starts to bubble and thicken, add the cheese. Turn the heat off and stir until everything is melted. Finish by adding yellow mustard and sriracha and salt and pepper to taste.
- Pour in the cooked orecchiette and gently stir until everything is coated and creamy looking. Serve immediately!
Annie
This was so good and easy to make!