If you're looking for the ultimate comfort food, nothing beats a creamy, cheesy mac and cheese. While the classic dish is always a winner, there's something special about a beer mac and cheese that takes it to the next level. The beer adds a subtle depth of flavor and richness that makes it truly memorable. This article will introduce you to the world of beer mac and cheese, with a focus on Jim's Beer Mac and Cheese Gratin. We'll explore the different types of beer that can be used, the best cheeses for the job, and the cooking techniques that will result in a perfectly golden brown gratin.
Let's cook with our recipes!
BEER CHEESE AND MAC
Provided by Damaris Phillips
Categories side-dish
Time 35m
Yield 6 to 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta to al dente according the package direction.
- Combine the beer, half-and-half and cream cheese in a large saucepan over medium-low heat and cook, whisking, until the cream cheese is melted and well incorporated, about 5 minutes.
- Add the harissa and mustard powder to the saucepan. Season with salt and pepper and whisk to incorporate. Stir in the Cheddar and smoked gouda and cook, stirring, over low heat until all the cheese is melted.
- Add the pasta and toss to combine. Pour into an 8-inch square baking dish. Combine the super-aged gouda, breadcrumbs and oil in a small bowl and sprinkle over the top of the pasta. Bake until golden brown and bubbly, 20 to 25 minutes.
BEER MAC 'N' CHEESE
A staple of Manhattan's East Village, Emma Freud's cheddar and pale ale pasta dish is the ultimate comfort food
Provided by Emma Freud
Categories Dinner, Main course, Pasta, Supper
Time 45m
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Heat the grill to its highest setting. In a flameproof casserole dish or metal frying pan, melt the butter and fry the garlic for 2 mins. Add the spinach and cook until it wilts, about 2 mins. Pour in the milk and beer and bring to a gentle bubble. Add the macaroni and stir intermittently for around 20 mins until the pasta is cooked and covered in sauce.
- Stir in the cheddar and half the mozzarella. When it starts to melt, sprinkle the remaining mozzarella on top and put it in the oven for around 7-10 mins or until browned on top and sensational underneath.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 589 calories, Fat 35 grams fat, SaturatedFat 22 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 37 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 8 grams sugar, Fiber 2 grams fiber, Protein 27 grams protein, Sodium 1.4 milligram of sodium
BEER MACARONI & CHEESE
Creamy with a hint of beer, this cheesy mac is one of our favorites for a big family dinner. -Lauren Petersen, Marysville, Washington
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Side Dishes
Time 35m
Yield 12 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Cook macaroni according to package directions for al dente. , Meanwhile, in a Dutch oven, heat butter over medium-high heat. Add garlic; cook and stir for 1 minute. Stir in the flour, mustard, salt and pepper until smooth; gradually whisk in the milk, beer and cream. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened., Reduce heat. Stir in 2 cups cheddar cheese, fontina cheese and 1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese until melted. Add chives., Drain macaroni; stir into sauce. Transfer to a greased 3-qt. baking dish. Sprinkle with remaining cheddar and Parmesan cheeses., Bake, uncovered, at 400° for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown and heated through. Top with crumbled bacon. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 420 calories, Fat 23g fat (14g saturated fat), Cholesterol 76mg cholesterol, Sodium 641mg sodium, Carbohydrate 34g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 20g protein.
MACARONI AU GRATIN
This 30-minute mac and cheese from chef Ashley Christensen is a bestseller at her Raleigh, NC restaurant, Poole's Diner. What makes it special: the three-cheese combo is brûléed under the broiler for a crust you must crack through to reach the creamy macaroni below.
Provided by Ashley Christensen
Categories main-dish
Time 30m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Preheat broiler. In a medium saucepan over high heat, bring 2 quarts water and kosher salt to a boil. Add macaroni and return water to a boil; cook until barely al dente, about 5 minutes. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, stir the grated Grana Padano, Jarlsberg, and Cheddar cheeses to combine. Set aside. Taste a macaroni for doneness: it should be chewy yet firm. Strain macaroni in a colander and set aside.
- Add heavy cream and a pinch of sea salt to an oven-safe skillet; turn heat to medium-high and bring to a simmer. When cream is simmering, fold in the macaroni. Continue to simmer to reduce and thicken, about 1½-2 minutes. Stir in ¼ of the cheese mixture to combine with noodles. Turn off the heat and stir in another ¼ of the cheese. Place remaining cheese over the top in an even layer (do not stir).
- Set rack in the oven about 4 inches from the broiler. Place skillet under the broiler until cheese melts and caramelizes into a golden brown crust, 3-5 minutes (keeping an eye on it so it doesn't burn). Remove gratin from oven and let rest 5 minutes before serving.
JIM'S BEER MAC AND CHEESE GRATIN
This mac and cheese is so delicious! It has beer as a secret ingredient. It honestly is the best mac and cheese I've ever had.
Provided by JimChicago52
Categories Baked Macaroni and Cheese
Time 1h15m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Butter a baking dish.
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil; add penne and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 11 minutes. Drain and transfer to a bowl.
- Heat butter in a skillet over medium heat. Whisk flour into melted butter until a thick paste (roux) forms, about 2 minutes. Add nutmeg; cook and stir until incorporated, about 1 minute. Gradually pour beer and milk into roux, whisking constantly until smooth; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium low and simmer sauce for 5 minutes; season with salt and pepper.
- Remove skillet from heat; stir 2/3 of the Cheddar cheese and 2/3 of the Gruyere cheese into the sauce until melted. Pour sauce over pasta and stir to coat; spoon into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle remaining Cheddar cheese and Gruyere cheese over pasta mixture; top with bread crumbs.
- Bake in the preheated oven until bubbling and cheese is melted, about 40 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 454.1 calories, Carbohydrate 32.4 g, Cholesterol 77 mg, Fat 25.3 g, Fiber 1.1 g, Protein 22.1 g, SaturatedFat 15.2 g, Sodium 412.6 mg, Sugar 3.3 g
JIM'S BEER MAC AND CHEESE GRATIN
This mac and cheese is so delicious! It has beer as a secret ingredient. It honestly is the best mac and cheese I've ever had.
Provided by JimChicago52
Categories Baked Macaroni and Cheese
Time 1h15m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Butter a baking dish.
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil; add penne and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 11 minutes. Drain and transfer to a bowl.
- Heat butter in a skillet over medium heat. Whisk flour into melted butter until a thick paste (roux) forms, about 2 minutes. Add nutmeg; cook and stir until incorporated, about 1 minute. Gradually pour beer and milk into roux, whisking constantly until smooth; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium low and simmer sauce for 5 minutes; season with salt and pepper.
- Remove skillet from heat; stir 2/3 of the Cheddar cheese and 2/3 of the Gruyere cheese into the sauce until melted. Pour sauce over pasta and stir to coat; spoon into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle remaining Cheddar cheese and Gruyere cheese over pasta mixture; top with bread crumbs.
- Bake in the preheated oven until bubbling and cheese is melted, about 40 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 454.1 calories, Carbohydrate 32.4 g, Cholesterol 77 mg, Fat 25.3 g, Fiber 1.1 g, Protein 22.1 g, SaturatedFat 15.2 g, Sodium 412.6 mg, Sugar 3.3 g
Tips:
- Use a good quality beer. The flavor of the beer will come through in the final dish, so it's important to use a beer that you enjoy drinking.
- Don't be afraid to experiment with different cheeses. You can use a variety of cheeses to make beer mac and cheese gratin, so feel free to experiment until you find a combination that you like.
- Make sure to cook the macaroni until it is al dente. You don't want the macaroni to be too soft, or it will become mushy in the gratin.
- Don't overcook the sauce. The sauce should be thick and creamy, but it shouldn't be too thick. If the sauce is too thick, it will be difficult to spread over the macaroni.
- Use a breadcrumb topping. The breadcrumb topping adds a nice crunchy texture to the gratin. You can use either fresh or dried breadcrumbs.
- Bake the gratin until it is golden brown. The gratin should be baked until the top is golden brown and bubbly. This usually takes about 20-25 minutes.
Conclusion:
Beer mac and cheese gratin is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for any occasion. It's a great way to use up leftover beer, and it's also a great dish to serve at parties or potlucks. So next time you're looking for a new recipe to try, give beer mac and cheese gratin a try. You won't be disappointed.
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