Name: Guinness Mac & Cheese
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 6-8 servings
Ingredients: For the Toppings; 4 tablespoons unsalted butter; 4 garlic cloves, minced; 3/4 cup breadcrumbs; 1 tablespoon chopped fresh Italian parsley; 2¼ teaspoons salt, divided; 1 pound elbow macaroni; 2 tablespoons unsalted butter; 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour; ⅔ cup Guinness stout; 1 ½ cups whole milk; ½ cup half and half; A few grinds of black pepper; 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard; 3 ounces cream cheese, cut into pieces; 3 ¾ cups grated Irish cheddar cheese

Mains

Guinness Mac & Cheese

Author: Mary DiSomma

On St. Patrick’s Day, everything's better with a little Guinness… including Mac and Cheese! Ever since I first visited Ireland, Irish culture has influenced my cooking style and even my design aesthetic. I have been incorporating Irish foods and traditions into my menus ever since—it makes me feel more connected to my Irish roots. That trip to Ireland even inspired my charming ceramicware and signature kitchen collection!

If you know me, you know I love a good mac and cheese. My Guinness Mac and Cheese recipe is a nod to my Irish heritage and my go-to recipe when St. Patrick’s Day rolls around. In addition to that delicious Guinness flavor, this recipe is loaded with Irish cheddar cheese. The rich, dark, Guinness stout and the bright, tangy cheddar give this cheesy treat a complexity of flavor that takes mac and cheese to a whole new level! If you feel like going all out, my Capital Grille-inspired Lobster Mac and Cheese recipe is another fantastic choice.

Tips

The official color of Guinness isn’t black, it’s actually ruby red! This color comes from the roasted barley that is used to make the beer. Most barley is malted when making beer, but not Guinness!

In 1759 Arthur Guinness signed a whopping 9,000 year lease on the property in Dublin city that houses the Guinness brewery, putting down an initial payment of 100 pounds. The Guinness brand and brewery have since become beloved Irish institutions, and the same long-standing lease is still honored today!

The country that drinks the most Guinness is actually England. The Irish come in at a close second, with Nigeria and the U.S. in 3rd and 4th place.

The famous Guinness Book of World Records was started in 1954 by the head of the Guinness company at the time. He commissioned a reference book of hard-to-prove facts to settle pub disputes—it was a dispute between him and some hunting buddies that prompted the book’s creation!

The first edition of the book was given for free to bars to settle fights amongst the customers.

Irish cheddar is a light and flavorful cheddar cheese that is made from Irish milk. It is white because there is no orange coloring added to the cheese. I love its sharp and tangy flavor—Irish cheddar is special because it’s made with simple, high quality, natural ingredients. You can find both aged and fresh varieties, but if you like more tang, try an aged cheddar.

* Why reserved pasta water and not another liquid? The salty, starchy water not only adds flavor, but it helps glue the pasta and sauce together. Using the reserved pasta water instead of milk (or anything else) will also help thicken the sauce naturally. Delicious!