Jim's Beer Mac and Cheese Gratin

This mac and cheese is so delicious! It has beer as a secret ingredient. It honestly is the best mac and cheese I've ever had.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 60 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 15 mins
• Calories: 454 Calories

Ingredients

• ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 3 tablespoons butter
• ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ cups whole milk
• ½ pound penne pasta
• ½ cup panko bread crumbs
• ¼ teaspoon sea salt
• 2 cups beer (such as Goose Island® Honkers Ale)
• ½ pound sharp Cheddar cheese, grated
• ½ pound Gruyere cheese, grated

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Butter a baking dish.

Step 2

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil; add penne and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 11 minutes. Drain and transfer to a bowl.

Step 3

Heat butter in a skillet over medium heat. Whisk flour into melted butter until a thick paste (roux) forms, about 2 minutes. Add nutmeg; cook and stir until incorporated, about 1 minute. Gradually pour beer and milk into roux, whisking constantly until smooth; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium low and simmer sauce for 5 minutes; season with salt and pepper.

Step 4

Remove skillet from heat; stir 2/3 of the Cheddar cheese and 2/3 of the Gruyere cheese into the sauce until melted. Pour sauce over pasta and stir to coat; spoon into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle remaining Cheddar cheese and Gruyere cheese over pasta mixture; top with bread crumbs.

Step 5

Bake in the preheated oven until bubbling and cheese is melted, about 40 minutes.