Description
A refined twist on a comfort classic featuring silky cheese sauce with a hint of Guinness stout, creating a perfect balance of creaminess and depth.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz (340 g) dried elbow macaroni or cavatappi
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk, warm
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream, cold
- 1 cup (240 ml) Guinness stout, room temperature
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- Pinch freshly ground nutmeg
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 cups (200 g) sharp cheddar, grated
- 1 cup (100 g) Gruyère, grated
- 1/2 cup (50 g) finely grated Parmesan, divided
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
- Optional: crisp bacon or fried shallots for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta 1–2 minutes shy of al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Melt 3 tbsp butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat until foaming. Add flour and whisk for 1–2 minutes to make a blond roux.
- Whisk in warm milk until smooth, then stir in the cream. Bring to a gentle simmer, whisking constantly until it thickens to a loose custard consistency.
- Pour in the Guinness in a steady stream, whisking to deglaze and incorporate the stout’s aroma. Reduce for 2–3 minutes.
- Stir in Dijon, Worcestershire, nutmeg, and season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat and whisk in half the Parmesan.
- Add the grated cheeses in batches, stirring until the sauce becomes velvety and glossy.
- Fold the cooked pasta into the sauce until evenly coated. Transfer to a shallow baking dish or individual ramekins.
- Combine panko, remaining Parmesan, melted butter, and parsley. Evenly sprinkle over the mac and cheese.
- Bake for 12–15 minutes until the top is golden. For a crisp finish, broil for 1–2 minutes, watching closely to avoid burning.
- Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
For best results, use freshly grated cheese and keep an eye on the broiler to prevent burning.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 70mg