Mac & Beer Cheese
A delicious, adult take on mac & cheese! Creamy, cheesy, and with the flavor of beer cheese. You can't go wrong with this recipe.
Ingredients
Noodles
- 12 oz Cavatappi Pasta (3 Farm Daughters Brand)
- 6 oz Elbow Macaroni (3 Farm Daughters Brand)
- 60 oz Chicken Broth (Low Sodium)
Cheese Sauce
- 8 oz Cream Cheese
- 8 oz Colby Jack Cheese Block (Shredded)
- 1 C Beer Cheese (Hall's Brand)
- 1½ C Milk
- 1 pinch Cayenne Pepper
- 1 dash Black Pepper
- ¼ tsp White Pepper
- ¼ tsp Mustard Powder
- ¼ tsp Garlic Powder
- ¼ tsp Onion Powder
- ¼ tsp Smoked Paprika
Topping
- 1 sleeve Ritz Crackers (Crushed)
- ¼ tsp Green Goddess Seasoning (Trader Joe's Brand)
- ¼ tsp Cheesy Seasoning (Trader Joe's Brand)
- 1 stick Unsalted Butter
- 1 sprinkle Dried Chives
Equipment
- Pot
- 9x13 Baking Dish
- Small Mixing Bowl
- Non-Stick Cooking Spray
- Strainer
- Whisk
- Wooden Spoon
- Measuring Cup
Instructions
Prep Work
- Get out all of the ingredients for this dish
- Shred the block of cheese, reserve half for topping, set aside
- Melt the butter in the microwave, slowly as to not scorch it
- Crush the crackers, add Green Goddess and Cheesy seasonings, then add about half of the melted butter until fully mixed, set aside
Noodles
- Boil the pastas in the chicken broth according to the directions on the box
- Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water and set aside, then drain the rest of the noodles
- Add the remaining butter, if any, to the noodles and lightly mix into a baking dish sprayed with non-stick spray
Cheese Sauce
- Over medium-low heat, add the milk, cream cheese, half of the shredded cheese, and the beer cheese to the pot to heat
- Add cayenne, pepper, white pepper, mustard, garlic, onion and paprika to the cheese sauce and mix thoroughly until smooth
- Add reserved pasta water, as needed, to create the desired consistency of your sauce
Combine & Bake
- Pour cheese sauce over the noodles and give it a good mix to make sure everything is fully covered
- Add the rest of the shredded cheese to the top, and then add the crushed cracker mix to the top
- Set the oven to broil on high and place the dish in the middle of the oven — keeping an eye on it so the crackers don't burn
- Once golden brown, and the cheese is bubbling, remove from the oven, sprinkle chives on top, let cool for 5 minutes and enjoy
Notes
- In place of the chicken broth, you can use water and bouillon to help flavor the noodles, and you could add a can or bottle of your favorite beer
- If you don't have the Green Goddess and Cheesy Seasonings, you can substitute with Italian Seasoning and Parmesan Cheese
- Allergen Warnings: Contains: Milk, Wheat (Gluten) — May contain trace amounts of soy (Ritz Crackers, processed cheese), tree nuts, or sesame depending on brand cross-contamination.
- Dietary Suitability: Vegetarian-friendly
- Storage & Shelf Life: Refrigerate covered for up to 4 days. Freeze in airtight containers for up to 2 months; reheat gently to avoid separation.