This Guinness Mac & Cheese is not your average stovetop special — it’s rich, deeply flavored, and packed with bold character from dark stout and sharp cheddar.

With creamy béchamel, a malty Guinness backbone, and a golden cheese crust (if you bake it), it’s the kind of dish that feels like pub comfort food leveled up.

Perfect for St. Paddy’s Day, cozy weeknights, or anytime your mac needs a little Irish soul.

Ingredients

• 12 oz elbow macaroni or cavatappi
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• ½ cup Guinness (or any dry Irish stout)
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp smoked paprika (optional)
• 2 cups sharp white cheddar, shredded
• 1 cup Irish cheddar or Gruyère, shredded
• Optional: ½ cup Parmesan for bite
• Optional topping: toasted breadcrumbs, crumbled bacon, or extra cheese

Beer Tip: Stick to Guinness Draught or another dry stout — rich, malty, smooth. Avoid bitter/hoppy stouts or barrel-aged versions.

Instructions

Step 1: Boil the Pasta

Cook pasta in salted water until just al dente.

Drain and set aside.

Step 2: Make the Guinness Cheese Sauce

In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook 1–2 minutes to form a roux.

Slowly whisk in Guinness and milk. Simmer for 3–5 minutes until slightly thickened.

Stir in Dijon, garlic powder, pepper, and paprika. Reduce heat and add cheeses one handful at a time, stirring until fully melted and smooth.

Optional: Stir in a splash more Guinness at the end for deeper flavor and creaminess.

Step 3: Combine & Serve

Add pasta to the cheese sauce and stir to coat.

Serve immediately for stovetop-style mac, or…

Optional Step 4: Bake It

• Pour mac & cheese into a greased baking dish.
• Top with breadcrumbs, cheese, and/or bacon.
• Bake at 400°F for 10–15 minutes, until bubbly and golden on top.

Serving Ideas

• Best With:
  • Irish bangers or Guinness-braised brisket
  • Roasted broccoli or cabbage
  • Buttered soda bread on the side
• Top It With:
  • Crispy bacon
  • Fried onions
  • Fresh parsley or chives
  • A drizzle of hot sauce or stout glaze

Beer Pairing

• In the sauce: Guinness Draught or Murphy’s Stout
• On the side:
  • Guinness again (never hurts)
  • Irish red ale for malt contrast
  • Cream ale or brown ale for smoothness
  • A dry cider to brighten up the richness

Final Thoughts

Guinness Mac & Cheese is creamy, bold, and built for serious comfort — with just enough stout backbone to stand out without overpowering the dish.

It’s easy to make, easy to dress up, and downright irresistible when paired with cold beer and good company.

Cheers to Irish beer, melty cheese, and meals worth toasting! ☘️🧀🍺

🍺 Explore More Guinness Recipes

From hearty mains and pub-style snacks to rich chocolate desserts and creamy floats — these Guinness-infused recipes show off the bold magic of stout in the kitchen. Whether you’re cooking for a cozy night in or hosting a feast, there’s a Guinness recipe for it.

🥩 Guinness Beef Stew – Slow-cooked, hearty, and loaded with stout flavor.
🍖 Guinness Braised Short Ribs – Fall-apart tender ribs with a deep Guinness reduction.
🐔 Guinness Chicken Pot Pie – Creamy filling, flaky crust, and a splash of stout.
🍞 Guinness Beer Bread – Quick, dense, and slightly sweet with a malty twist.
🍔 Guinness BBQ Burgers – Juicy patties with smoky Guinness-spiked BBQ sauce.
🧀 Guinness Mac & Cheese – Ultra-creamy cheddar sauce with a hint of stout.
🍫 Guinness Chocolate Cake – Deep, rich chocolate layered with malty undertones.
🧁 Guinness Cupcakes with Irish Cream Frosting – Mini cakes with a boozy frosting twist.
🍨 Guinness Floats – Creamy vanilla ice cream meets bold stout fizz.
🍮 Guinness Chocolate Crème Brûlée – Silky, dark custard with a crackly caramel top.
🥓 Guinness Glazed Bacon – Sweet, sticky, and irresistibly crispy.
🥧 Guinness Shepherd’s Pie – Comfort food leveled up with a stout-simmered filling.
🔥 Guinness BBQ Sauce – Sweet, smoky, and perfect on just about anything grilled.
🍫 Guinness Brownies – Fudgy brownies with a dark, malty richness.
🥣 Guinness Beer Cheese Soup – Warm, cheesy, and full of Guinness depth.

🍺 Alternatives to Guinness

No Guinness? No problem. These stouts and porters bring similar depth — and sometimes even more character — to your kitchen.

While Guinness is the go-to for beer-based cooking, you’ve got plenty of bold, flavorful alternatives that work just as well — and in some cases, even better — depending on the dish. If you’re looking to experiment or just need a stand-in, here are three of the best:

1. Samuel Smith’s Organic Chocolate Stout

Flavor profile: Roasty, sweet, velvety

Best used in:

• Brownies
• Chocolate layer cakes
• Dessert sauces
• Braised short ribs

This one’s a dessert powerhouse — the chocolate is prominent but balanced, and the mouthfeel adds richness to both sweet and savory dishes.

2. Murphy’s Irish Stout

Flavor profile: Smooth, creamy, with a softer roast than Guinness

Best used in:

• Irish stew
• Beer bread
• Onion gravy
• Cream-based sauces

It’s the closest stylistic match to Guinness — just lighter and slightly less bitter. A great pick for traditional Irish recipes or dishes where you don’t want the beer to dominate.

3. Founders Breakfast Stout

Flavor profile: Deep roast, coffee, dark chocolate

Best used in:

• Ice cream or affogato
• Tiramisu
• Chocolate cake batters
• Braised beef or short ribs

These are bolder than Guinness — darker, heavier, and more intense. Perfect when you want the beer to be felt in the flavor, not just as a background note.

Pro tip: If you’re using these in recipes that were designed for Guinness, reduce just a touch more to concentrate the flavor — these alternatives tend to bring slightly more body and richness to the pan or batter.

Explore Our Top Cooking-with-Beer Recipes 🍺 🍺

From crispy beer-battered classics to bold mains, cheesy dips, breads, and even desserts — these roundups bring together the best of beer-infused cooking. Whether you’re hosting a game day, planning a backyard BBQ, or just experimenting in the kitchen, there’s a beer recipe collection for every craving.

• 🍽️ Cooking with Beer (Main Hub) – Your ultimate guide to cooking with beer, from mains to apps and desserts.
• 🥨 Beer-Battered Appetizers and Sides – – Crispy onion rings, fried pickles, mushrooms, zucchini, & more pub-style favorites with a golden beer crunch.
• 🍞 Beer Bread Recipes – From 2-ingredient quick breads to jalapeño cheese loaves.
• 🧀 Beer Cheese & Dips – Beer cheese soup, queso, nachos, ranch dip & more.
• 🍖 Beer Can Chicken & Grilled Mains – Bold, juicy recipes straight from the grill.
• 🌶️ Beer Infused Chili’s – Hearty, bold, and slow-simmered beer-infused chili.
• 🍻 Beer Mac & Cheese – Creamy, quick& easy, made to impress.
• 🍰 Beer-Infused Desserts & Sweets – Sweet treats made better with beer.
• 🎉 Oktoberfest & Seasonal Ideas – Perfect pairings for parties, fall feasts, and festive gatherings.