This Chipotle Beer Mac & Cheese is oozing cheese-y goodness. It has a hint of smoky spice with a subtle essence of pale ale in the background.

Chipotle Beer Mac & Cheese

One thing the midwest has taught me is that cheese is king. Cheese has always been pretty high up on my list of favorite food items, but the midwest has me beat. They’re cheese lovers to the core.

I recently discovered beer cheese soup, and, while I liked it, I didn’t exactly love it. However, if you stir in some carbohydrates, it’s absolutely glorious.

Chipotle Beer Mac & Cheese

This week the #SundaySupper team is partnering with Wisconsin Cheese. Oh, how I love me some cheese. The more cheese, the better.

Chipotle Beer Mac & Cheese

Wisconsin is the home of the world’s most award-winning cheeses, so you know you’re getting the most bang for your buck when you pick up a block of cheese adorned with the Wisconsin Cheese label.

Wisconsin Cheese

The state’s 1,200 cheese makers (wow!) are producing more than 600 different varieties of cheese. The lush grasslands, glacial waters, and superior milk are a fierce trio for creating exceptional cheese. No matter what variety you choose, if it has the Wisconsin seal, you’re getting the best.

Chipotle Beer Mac & Cheese

My dad begs me for mac and cheese every chance he gets. He whines, cries, and gives me his best pouty face until I throw in the towel and finally give in to his childish ways. I used to have him wrapped around my little finger, but the roles have since reversed. He knows how to play me until he gets exactly what he wants.

A few weeks ago I buckled and made him a big batch of mac and cheese. Instead of making his usual, I decided to play by my own rules and turn an old classic into something exciting and flavorful. I took my obsession with all things smoky and spicy and added combined it with a few glugs of craft beer.

Chipotle Beer Mac & Cheese

Enter Chipotle Beer Mac & Cheese. It’s everything mac and cheese should be: rich, gooey, creamy, and dripping with melted strings of Wisconsin Cheese.

I used a combination of Wisconsin cheddar, smoked gouda, and monterey jack cheese in this recipe. The smoked gouda and chipotle pepper add a rich smoky flavor to this mac and cheese. It really is what makes this dish so darn tasty. The few generous glugs of pale ale lingers in the background.

My dad wasn’t happy about the change in plans at first, but he ended up falling in love with this dish.

Chipotle Beer Mac & Cheese

For recipe inspiration follow Wisconsin Cheese on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest. Follow the #SundaySupper Wisconsin Cheese Pinterest board for more recipes. Create an original recipe using Wisconsin Cheese and enter it their recipe contest for a chance to win some fun prizes.

Print Recipe

Chipotle Beer Mac & Cheese

Yield: 6 servings

Total Time: 25 minutes

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound macaroni pasta
  • 1 stick unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup pale ale
  • 4 cups whole milk
  • 1 and 1/2 cups smoked gouda, grated
  • 2 cups cheddar cheese, grated
  • 1 and 1/2 cups colby jack cheese, grated
  • 2 ounces softened cream cheese
  • 1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tablespoons chipotle pepper paste, about 3 chipolte peppers chopped
  • salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

  1. Cook pasta according to package instructions.
  2. While the pasta cooks, add butter to a large saucepan over medium heat. Once the butter is melted, whisk in flour. Allow the flour to cook for 1 minute, whisking constantly.
  3. Slowly whisk in the beer. Allow the mixutre to turn into a thick paste, whisking often.
  4. Slowly pour in the milk while simultaneiously whiking. Allow the mixture to come to a gentle boil and thicken, about 10-12 minutes.
  5. Add the cream cheese and whisk until incorporated (a few small chunks are okay). Whisk in the worcestershire sauce.
  6. Slowly whisk in the cheese until melted. Add the chipotle paste and whisk until smooth. Add salt and pepper to taste.
  7. Slowly stir in the pasta. The sauce will appear thin at first, but once the pasta starts releasing its starches and soaking in the sauce, the mixture will thicken. Top with extra cheese and chopped jalapenos (optional).
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Want more cheese-filled recipes? Try these:

Cheese Appetizers:

Cheese Bread:

Main Dishes with Cheese:

Cheese Side Dishes:

Desserts:

10 Ideas for Cheese Dip Dippers by Sunday Supper Movement

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Disclosure: This post is sponsored by the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board in conjunction with a social media campaign through Sunday Supper LLC. All opinions are my own.