If you are a mac and cheese fan, you will love this flavorful version. Bacon adds a smoky flavor that complements perfectly the robust flavor of the beer in the sauce. The alcohol boils away while cooking, so you can safely feed it to your children. Looking for other comfort food dishes? Check out my Homemade Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup, Texas Cowboy Stew, and Broccoli Casserole!
BEER AND BACON MAC AND CHEESE
This is by far the best mac and cheese I’ve tasted. Garlic, green onions, Parmesan, and Cheddar cheese are to me, grown-up flavors that make it a bit more sophisticated.
Browning the bacon in the same skillet used to make the sauce, infuses it with all that great flavor left behind by the bits that stick a bit to the bottom.
HOW TO MAKE BEER AND BACON MACARONI AND CHEESE?
- Preheat the oven to 375F and cook the pasta according to package directions. Using a cast-iron skillet or any other ovenproof skillet, cook the bacon until brown. Remove the bacon from the skillet and place it on a plate with paper towels.
- Add the minced garlic to the same pan and cook for about a minute being careful not to burn it.
- Mix in the flour until it is well combined with the garlic. Carefully and gradually, whisk in the milk and beer into the flour mixture
- Cook the sauce for about 2-3 minutes until it thickens and coats the back of a spoon
- Remove from heat and add the Parmesan and Cheddar cheeses to the sauce.
- Stir in half of the bacon
- Mix the green onions and cooked pasta into the sauce as well. Bake uncovered, for 15 minutes until bubbly. Serve with reserved bacon and extra green onions on top.
WHAT IS THE BEST CHEESE TO USE FOR MACARONI AND CHEESE?
Sharp Cheddar cheese is the cheese of choice, but adding Parmesan or any other cheese you really love, will give it an extra flavor boost.
Mac and cheese are always best with sharp or strong-tasting cheeses. Very mild cheeses like mozzarella really don’t shine through.
CAN YOU FREEZE MAC AND CHEESE AFTER BAKING?
Yes, You can freeze it before or after baking. Either way, it will keep in the freezer for up to three months
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO REHEAT MAC AND CHEESE?
If you freeze it after baking, the best way to reheat it is in the microwave. Let it thaw and then just pop it in the microwave until heated through.
If you freeze it before baking, let it thaw and then bake it according to the recipe’s instructions.
MORE DELICIOUS MAC AND CHEESE RECIPES:
Beer and Bacon Macaroni and Cheese
Ingredients
- 2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
- 6 bacon strips, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 ¾ cups 2% milk
- ⅔ cup brown ale or chicken broth
- 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
- 2 green onions, chopped
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp pepper
- Additional green onions
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375F and cook the pasta according to package directions. Using a cast-iron skillet or any other ovenproof skillet cook the bacon until brown. Remove the bacon from the skillet and place it on a plate lined with paper towels.
- Add the minced garlic to the same pan and cook for about thirty seconds, being careful not to burn it
- Mix in the flour until it is well combined with the garlic. Carefully and gradually, whisk in the milk and beer into the flour mixture
- Cook the sauce for about 2-3 minutes until it thickens and coats the back of a spoon
- Take the skillet off the heat and add the Parmesan and Cheddar cheeses to the sauce. Stir in half of the bacon
- Mix the green onions and cooked pasta into the sauce as well. Season with salt and pepper, and bake uncovered, for 15 minutes until bubbly. Serve with the reserved bacon and extra green onions on top.
Nutrition
So good!!! I used chicken broth and followed the recipe exactly. Will 100% make again!
So glad you loved it! Thanks so much for the 5 star rating!