Guinness Mac and Cheese - With Irish Whiskey Onions

Name: Guinness Mac and Cheese - With Irish Whiskey Onions
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 6-8
Ingredients: 12 oz elbow macaroni or cavatappi; 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (Irish butter if available); 1/4 cup all-purpose flour; 1 cup whole milk, room temperature; 1 cup heavy cream, room temperature; 1 cup Guinness stout, room temperature; 1 teaspoon dry mustard powder; 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg; Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste; 9 oz aged Irish sharp cheddar, shredded (for sauce and chip topping); 6 oz Dubliner cheese, shredded (for sauce and chip topping); 6 oz Irish blue cheese or goat cheese, crumbled (Cashel Blue or Coolea if available); 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced; 1 tablespoon butter; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 2 tablespoons Irish whiskey (Jameson); Pinch of salt; 8 slices Irish-style back bacon or thick-cut bacon, cooked until crisp and chopped; 1½ cups kettle-style potato chips, crushed (We used Guinness potato chips); 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme or parsley; 3/4 cup grated cheddar and Dubliner mix; CopperBond 11- Inch Skillet; CopperBond 6-Quart stock pot; CopperBond 3.5qt Sauteuse; OvenBond Medium Sheet Pan; Provisions Mixing Bowls; Medium Colander; Portable Induction Cooktop; Provisions Chef’s Tools

Guinness Mac and Cheese - With Irish Whiskey Onions

Rated 5.0 stars by 1 users

Servings

6-8

Prep Time

30 minutes

Cook Time

25 minutes

Get ready to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a mac & cheese that’s packed with bold Irish flavors! ThisGuinness Mac & Cheese with Irish Whiskey Onions is rich, creamy, and irresistibly cheesy, featuring a blend of aged Irish cheddar, Dubliner, and Cashel Blue. The sauce is infused withGuinness stout for a deep, malty richness, while Irish whiskey-caramelized onions add a touch of sweet, smoky depth. Topped with crispyIrish-style bacon and a crunchy herbed potato chip crust, this dish is the ultimate comfort food with an Irish twist.

Ingredients

For the Mac & Cheese Base

12 oz elbow macaroni or cavatappi
4 tablespoons unsalted butter (Irish butter if available)
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup whole milk, room temperature
1 cup heavy cream, room temperature
1 cup Guinness stout, room temperature
1 teaspoon dry mustard powder
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
9 oz aged Irish sharp cheddar, shredded (for sauce and chip topping)
6 oz Dubliner cheese, shredded (for sauce and chip topping)
6 oz Irish blue cheese or goat cheese, crumbled (Cashel Blue or Coolea if available)

Irish Whiskey Caramelized Onions

2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons Irish whiskey (Jameson)
Pinch of salt

Crispy Bacon Layer

8 slices Irish-style back bacon or thick-cut bacon, cooked until crisp and chopped

Herbed Chip Topping

1½ cups kettle-style potato chips, crushed (We used Guinness potato chips)
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme or parsley
3/4 cup grated cheddar and Dubliner mix

Directions

Caramelize the Onions

In a pan over medium heat, melt butter and oil.
Add onions and a pinch of salt. Cook low and slow for 25–30 minutes, stirring often.
Once deep golden brown, deglaze with Irish whiskey. Let it bubble until the liquid is gone, 1-2 minutes. Set aside.

Cook the Pasta

Boil pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Make the Cheese Sauce

In a 3.5qt sauteuse or large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring constantly.
Slowly whisk in milk, cream, and Guinness. Stir until thickened.
Add mustard, nutmeg, salt, and pepper.
Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in all three cheeses (reserve ¾ cup of cheese for the chip topping) until melted and velvety.

Herbed Chip Topping

Chop all the ingredients together.

Combine It All

Stir cooked pasta into the cheese sauce.
Fold in caramelized onions and crispy bacon.

Assemble & Bake

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
If not using an ovenproof sauteuse transfer the mixture to a greased 3-quart baking dish
Sprinkle the herbed chip topping evenly over the top.
Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes until golden and bubbling.