Spring is almost here, but it’s still cold enough to warm up with a hearty bowl of Guinness mac and cheese. And who am I kidding? Whether it’s winter, spring, summer or fall, I’m all about this beer mac and cheese with beef recipe. It’s especially perfect for St. Patrick’s Day – with a frosty glass of Guinness of course!
Get excited.
It’s almost here, peeking over the bed sheets, stretching out those arms, and bringing a warm smile to these winter blue days. I’m talking spring folks. How do I know this? Well, um, I just found out 2.2 seconds ago that daylight savings time is this weekend! Get.out.of.town? I know!
As a food blogger, daylight savings time is practically a holiday. A time to celebrate non-rushed photography and soon-to-be opened farmers’ markets. The stress level decreases while the bounty increases.
Even though we lose an hour of sleep, I’ve made us something that will keep us distracted and full. Seeing that St.Patrick’s Day is just around the corner, we’ve got to get our Guinness fill. And I happen to think that an Irish mac and cheese recipe is the way to go.
Mr. B says in Ireland, Guinness is served more than water. Is that true? If yes, why don’t we live in Ireland?
I adore this Guinness mac n cheese recipe because duh, it has beer, cheese, and pasta. Add in beef for your protein and throw it all in a skillet, and you’ve got an easy meal your whole family will love.
To make beer mac and cheese, you’ll first boil water in a large stock pot. Add 1 ¼ cups elbow macaroni and cook according to the package directions.
Meanwhile, in a 10-inch cast iron skillet, add olive oil, ground beef, and shallots. Season with salt and pepper. Cook for about five minutes or until the beef is no longer pink. Add the flour and stir until incorporated for about a minute.
Next, grab a Guinness and stir one cup into the beef mixture. Enjoy the last few ounces left in the bottle while you cook. (Note: the alcohol in the beer cooks off, so this meal is perfectly fine for kids!)
Bring to a simmer and keep stirring until thickened – about 3 to 4 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in milk and cheese until incorporated and melted.
Add the drained pasta to the skillet and mix thoroughly, smoothing into an even layer. Sprinkle more shredded cheese on top and place under the broiler for about 5 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly. Top with chives for garnish and green!
You’ll love this rich, delicious skillet meal. I think of it as the Leprechaun diet. Satisfying, with a little luck o’ the Irish. Now, where did I put my green beer?