Drunk Mac and Cheese

Dive into comfort food bliss with this indulgent Drunk Mac and Cheese recipe, a boozy twist on a classic favorite! Velvety smooth and rich, this dish features creamy layers of sharp cheddar, Gruyere, and cream cheese, with the bold addition of beer (lager or pale ale) to amp up the flavor. A golden, crunchy topping made with panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan, and a drizzle of olive oil adds irresistible texture to every bite. Perfectly balanced with smoky paprika and aromatic garlic powder, this baked mac and cheese is a crowd-pleasing masterpiece that’s ready in under an hour. Whether you’re hosting game night or simply craving cozy comfort food, this recipe is bound to be the star of the table.

Nutriscore Rating: 57/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 12 oz Elbow macaroni
• 4 tbsp Unsalted butter
• 4 tbsp All-purpose flour
• 2 cups Whole milk
• 1 cup Beer (lager or pale ale)
• 2 cups Sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 cup Gruyere cheese, shredded
• 4 oz Cream cheese
• 1 tsp Garlic powder
• 1 tsp Paprika
• 0.5 tsp Salt
• 0.25 tsp Black pepper
• 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
• 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 tbsp Olive oil

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

Cook the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes to create a roux, stirring constantly to avoid lumps.

Step 4

Gradually whisk in the milk and beer, adding a little at a time and whisking constantly until the mixture is smooth. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened.

Step 5

Reduce the heat to low and slowly stir in the cheddar, Gruyere, and cream cheese. Continue stirring until the cheeses melt completely and the sauce becomes creamy.

Step 6

Add the garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper to the cheese sauce. Taste and adjust the seasoning as desired.

Step 7

Pour the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce and stir until fully coated. Transfer the mac and cheese mixture to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish.

Step 8

In a small bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the mac and cheese in the baking dish.

Step 9

Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and crispy.

Step 10

Remove from oven, let cool for a few minutes, then serve warm.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1727.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4596.8

Total Fat 259.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 140.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.9g
Cholesterol 697.1mg	0%
Sodium 5002.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 373.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 16.0g	0%
Total Sugars 43.8g
Protein 188.4g	0%

Vitamin D 286.7IU	0%
Calcium 3886.7mg	0%
Iron 18.8mg	0%
Potassium 1395.4mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 50.9%

Protein: 16.5%

Carbs: 32.6%