Chipotle Beer Mac & Cheese ~ #SundaySupper
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.
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.
This week the #SundaySupper team is partnering with Wisconsin Cheese. Oh, how I love me some cheese. The more cheese, the better.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Chipotle Beer Mac & Cheese
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:
- Cook pasta according to package instructions.
- 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.
- Slowly whisk in the beer. Allow the mixutre to turn into a thick paste, whisking often.
- Slowly pour in the milk while simultaneiously whiking. Allow the mixture to come to a gentle boil and thicken, about 10-12 minutes.
- Add the cream cheese and whisk until incorporated (a few small chunks are okay). Whisk in the worcestershire sauce.
- Slowly whisk in the cheese until melted. Add the chipotle paste and whisk until smooth. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- 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).
Want more cheese-filled recipes? Try these:
Cheese Appetizers:
- Cheese Crispies by Shockingly Delicious
- Cheese Fondue by Recipes Food and Cooking
- Prosciutto Havarti Spinach Bundles by Daily Dish Recipes
Cheese Bread:
- Parmesan Pull Apart Bread by Magnolia Days
- Spicy Cheese Twists by The Wimpy Vegetarian
Main Dishes with Cheese:
- Cheese Curd Stuffed Meatball Sliders by The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen
- Cheesy Crab Stuffed Peppers by FoodieTots
- Cheesy Skillet Lasagna by Life Tastes Good
- Cheesy Vegetable Enchiladas by Alida’s Kitchen
- Fontina Chorizo Spinach Quiche by Serena Bakes Simply From Scratch
- Ham, Blackberry Ricotta, and Fresh Mozzarella Grilled Cheese by Cupcakes & Kale Chips
- Korean-style Poutine 2.0 by kimchi MOM
- Mozzarella, Tomato, and Basil Couscous Salad with Arugula by Ruffles & Truffles
- Pimento Cheese Potato Soup by Cosmopolitan Cornbread
- Sausage and Burrata Pasta by Family Foodie
Cheese Side Dishes:
- Cheesy Jalapeno and Bacon Potato Au Gratin by Peanut Butter and Peppers
- Chipotle Beer Mac & Cheese by One Sweet Mess
- White Mac and Cheese by Bobbi’s Kozy Kitchen
Desserts:
- Coconut Lime Cheese Crepes with Brandied Cherry Topping by The Life and Loves of Grumpy’s Honeybunch
- Ricotta Cheesecake Brownies by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
10 Ideas for Cheese Dip Dippers by Sunday Supper Movement
Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter on Sunday! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. To get more great Sunday Supper Recipes, visit our website or check out our Pinterest board.
Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy. You can sign up by clicking here: Sunday Supper Movement.
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.