Homemade Mac and Cheese! Is there anything better?? Some people would say there is…
Let me tell you a story about my Husband. I’m actually embarrassed to tell you this.
Huck likes Velveeta Shells and Cheese. There I said it!!
The worst part… He doesn’t like Homemade Mac and Cheese. He only likes Velveeta.
How can I be married to someone that likes fake processed cheese over something homemade with real cheese? When he first told me, it was almost a deal breaker. I’m not a food snob but thinking Velveeta is better than real mac and cheese is just crazy.
I’ve been able to look past his love for Velveeta, though. I still want to grab him by the shirt, shake him, and scream “what is wrong with you”, every time he puts that crap in our buggy.
Huck also believes everything has to be covered in Crusted Red Pepper! I’ll make something AMAZING and look over and see him covering my masterpiece in species. Somewhere under all those pepper flakes was my perfect meal. It’s heartbreaking. Sometimes, I joke that I’m just going to serve him cardboard covered in Crusted Red Pepper and he’ll love it.
Maybe one day I can fully convert him to the real world. The world where cheese is real and everything doesn’t have to burn your mouth to be good! One day! It wasn’t today, though.
I made Beer Mac and Cheese for lunch on Sunday. Its been on my list of recipes to make for awhile, and I needed a side to go with lunch. I didn’t tell Huck I was making Mac and Cheese. I didn’t want him to complain it wasn’t his beloved Velveeta.
I was hoping if I added all his favorite things, he would like it. Beer, Bacon, Broccoli! It had to be a winner. I ever added crackers to the top for crunch.
The moment of truth came when I served him the life changing Beer Mac and Cheese. He took a few bites and said…
Huck: “This is really good!!!”
Me: “WHAT?? You actually think my homemade mac and cheese is better than Velveeta??”
Huck: “NO! But it’s good.”
Me: “Do you even have taste buds??”
Velveeta 1 Me 0!
One day I will win this war! You’re going down Fake Yellow Mush!
A few notes about my Beer Mac and Cheese. This taste like beer! I’ve ordered “Beer” Mac and Cheese at restaurants but it’s always tasted like regular Mac and Cheese! Not this one. The beer really shines through. I recommend using a beer you like to drink. If you’re not a big fan of beer, you can use 1 Cup of Milk and 1/4 Cup of Beer.
You can also skip the baking step if you do not have crackers. Or you can use bread crumbs.
I have more great Beer recipes lined up for this week. Are you noticing a theme??
Beer Mac and Cheese with Bacon and Broccoli
Serves | 6+ |
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups Uncooked Macaroni Noodles
- 2 tablespoons Butter
- 2 tablespoons Flour
- 1/4 teaspoon Red Pepper Powder (Options)
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 cup Beer (Wheat, Pale, IPA will work. Something you like to drink.)
- 1/4 cup Milk
- 2 cups Shredded Cheese (Your Choice)
- 3 pieces Turkey Bacon (Cooked and Crumbled)
- 1/2 cup Broccoli (Chopped)
- 15 Crackers (Ground)
- 2 tablespoons Butter (Melted)
- Cooking Spray
Directions
Cook Pasta according to package directions. Drain to remove all water. | |
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Heat a medium sauce pot over medium low. Add Butter and Flour. Fully combined. Add Red Pepper Powder and Garlic. | |
Whisk in Beer slowly to prevent lumps and foam up. Next, add the Milk. Allow mixture to thicken. | |
Combined Cheese into beer mixture and combined with Pasta. Add cooked Bacon and Broccoli to the mix. | |
Spray individual ramekins or a large baking dish with cooking spray and add mac and cheese. | |
Combined Crackers and Butter together and sprinkle over the top. | |
Bake for 10-15 minutes or until the top is brown. | |
Serve Hot and Enjoy! |
That’s too funny about the Velveeta! I used to like that stuff, but I so can’t do it anymore.
This mac n cheese has my husband written all over it. Beer and bacon. That’s all I need to make him happy!
I’ll eat Velveeta if I’m at someones house and they cook it. I just think I can make something better myself. I thought for sure I had him with this one. Let me know if you try it! :)
Sounds and looks delicious, but for now I’m gonna be with out pasta, bread, rice and my favorite reg. milk. I did buy some Almond milk today, hopefully I’ll like it if not I’ll try cocoa nut milk. When you have grown up on cow milk it’s had to change. Wish me luck on the no bread. I did get your message and we’ll skype later. Love You
I’ll plan some recipe for next week without pasta or bread.
Yum!! Looks and sounds delish!! Remind me to give him a little smack next time we see y’all!! (Which better be soon!!) remember the night the crushed red pepper POURED out on to Huck’s food??? Lol memories….. ;)
I think it poured out onto my food and he ate it. He loves peppers more then me! True story!
I love Mac n Cheese. I’ll have to give this a try!