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Irish Cheddar Mac & Cheese

Savor the Comfort of Irish Cheddar Mac & Cheese Delight

Irish Cheddar Mac & Cheese combines the richness of Guinness with sharp cheddar for a mouthwatering dish.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Resting Time 5 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Irish
Calories: 550

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 8 oz Elbow Macaroni or shells for better sauce retention
For the Cheese Sauce
  • 4 tbsp Unsalted Butter or salted butter sparingly
  • 1/4 cup All-Purpose Flour cook enough to eliminate raw flour taste
  • 1 cup Guinness Draught Stout room temperature to prevent curdling
  • 2 cups Whole Milk substitute with half-and-half for richness
  • 2 cups Sharp Irish Cheddar Cheese opt for high-quality like Kerrygold
  • 1 cup Mozzarella Cheese optional if preferring stronger cheddar taste
  • 1 tbsp Dijon Mustard
  • 1 tsp Ground Mustard Powder
  • to taste Salt and Black Pepper
  • 1 tsp Smoked Paprika optional for added smokiness
For the Topping
  • 1 cup Panko Breadcrumbs mix with melted butter
  • 2 tbsp Melted Butter (for topping)

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • colander
  • large skillet
  • Whisk
  • Baking dish
  • small bowl

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add elbow macaroni and cook for about 6 minutes, or until al dente. Drain the cooked macaroni and set aside.
  2. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter. Whisk in the all-purpose flour and cook for 1-2 minutes.
  3. Gradually whisk in Guinness Draught Stout, stirring until smooth and the mixture comes to a gentle simmer.
  4. Slowly pour in the whole milk while whisking continuously. Let the sauce simmer for about 5 minutes until it thickens slightly.
  5. Stir in the shredded sharp Irish cheddar cheese and mozzarella, mixing until fully melted and the sauce is glossy.
  6. Add Dijon mustard, ground mustard powder, and season with salt and black pepper. Optionally add smoked paprika.
  7. Gently fold the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce. Let it simmer for another 2 minutes.
  8. In a small bowl, mix panko breadcrumbs with melted butter until evenly coated.
  9. Transfer the mac and cheese into a greased baking dish and sprinkle the panko mixture on top. Broil for 2-3 minutes until golden brown.
  10. Remove from the oven and let it rest for about 5 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 550kcalCarbohydrates: 60gProtein: 25gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 15gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 2gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 15IUCalcium: 30mgIron: 15mg

Notes

Use room-temperature Guinness and freshly shredded cheese for best results. Watch while broiling to avoid burning.

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