This IPA Mac & Cheese takes classic comfort food and gives it a craft beer twist — rich cheddar and creamy béchamel meet the citrusy, bitter punch of your favorite IPA.

It’s not just mac & cheese… it’s beer cheese turned dinner.

Perfect for game day, beer pairings, or just leveling up your weekday indulgence.

Ingredients

• 12 oz elbow macaroni (or shells, cavatappi, etc.)
• 3 tbsp unsalted butter
• 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ¾ cup IPA beer (preferably citrusy, not overly bitter)
• 2 cups sharp cheddar, shredded
• 1 cup gouda or Monterey Jack, shredded (for melt factor)
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp smoked paprika
• Salt & pepper to taste
• Optional topping: crushed pretzels, crispy bacon, or toasted panko

Instructions

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

Cook the pasta in salted water until just al dente.
Drain and set aside.

Step 2: Make the Beer Cheese Sauce

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

Slowly whisk in the milk, cream, and beer. Simmer, stirring, until slightly thickened — about 4–5 minutes.

Add garlic powder, smoked paprika, Dijon, and a big pinch of salt and pepper.

Reduce heat to low. Stir in cheddar and gouda until melted and smooth.

Beer Tip: A citrusy IPA (like a hazy or session IPA) will add hop character without too much bitterness. Avoid ultra-bitter West Coast IPAs unless you really want bite.

Step 3: Combine & Finish

Add cooked pasta to the sauce. Stir to coat.

Taste and adjust seasoning.

Step 4 (Optional): Bake with Topping

Pour into a greased baking dish, sprinkle with crushed pretzels, bacon, or panko, and bake at 375°F for 15–20 minutes until bubbly and golden.

Serving Ideas

• Pair it with: The same IPA used in the dish, or a citrusy pale ale.
• Make it spicy: Add chopped pickled jalapeños or swirl in sriracha.
• Make it meatier: Stir in crumbled sausage, pulled pork, or shredded chicken.
• Make it weird (in a good way): Top with hot honey and candied bacon.

🧀 More Beer Mac & Cheese Recipes

Creamy, cheesy, and kicked up with the flavor of craft brews — these beer-infused mac and cheese recipes go way beyond basic. Whether you’re into IPAs, stouts, or smoky add-ins, there’s a bowl here for you.

🍺 Beer Mac & Cheese Recipes (Main Hub) – Your ultimate mac & cheese guide with a boozy twist.

🧀 Classics & Crowd-Pleasers

🍺 Classic Beer Mac & Cheese – Smooth cheddar sauce with a malty beer boost.
🥓 Bacon Beer Mac & Cheese – Smoky bacon and melty cheese in every forkful.
🧄 Garlic Herb White Cheddar Mac & Cheese – Rich and fragrant with roasted garlic and herbs.

🍻 Beer-Specific Twists

🧄 IPA Mac & Cheese – Hoppy, bold, and layered with sharp cheddar.
🌶️ Spicy IPA Mac & Cheese – Heat and hops for a fiery beer lover’s dream.
☘️ Guinness Mac & Cheese – Dark, creamy, and perfect for stout fans.
🍄 Stout Mushroom Mac & Cheese – Earthy mushrooms meet deep stout flavor.
🧀 Hopped-Up Gouda Beer Mac & Cheese – Smooth Gouda with a hoppy beer backbone.

🔥 Bold, Loaded, & Over-the-Top

🔥 Buffalo Chicken Beer Mac & Cheese – Spicy buffalo chicken meets creamy mac.
🧅 BBQ Brisket Mac & Cheese – Smoky brisket folded into cheesy, saucy mac.
🦞 Lager Lobster Mac & Cheese – Elegant comfort with sweet lobster and crisp lager.

Final Thoughts

IPA Mac & Cheese is where comfort food meets craft beer — bold, rich, and just hoppy enough to keep things interesting.

It’s great for beer lovers, cheese addicts, and anyone who wants to turn up the flavor on a classic dish.

🧀 Explore Our Best Beer Cheese Recipes

Melty, bold, and beer-boosted — these recipes bring pub-style comfort straight to your kitchen. From dips to soups to stuffed apps, there’s no such thing as too much beer cheese.

🍺 Beer Cheese Recipes (Main Hub) – Your ultimate guide to all things gooey, melty, and beer-infused.

🔥 Hot Dips & Melty Mains

🥣 Beer Cheese Soup – Rich, creamy, and made to warm you up.
🧀 Stovetop Creamy Beer Cheese Dip – Fast, velvety, and great with chips or pretzels.
🌶️ Jalapeño Beer Cheese Dip – Creamy with just the right amount of heat.
🫕 Spicy Beer Cheese Fondue – A bold fondue for dipping everything in sight.
🌿 Ranch Beer Dip – Creamy, zesty, and perfect for veggies or wings.

🧀 Loaded Snacks & Party Bites

🥨 Soft Pretzel Bites with Beer Cheese Dip – Classic pairing: chewy pretzels + hot beer cheese.
🌶️ Beer Cheese Nachos – Beer-infused queso poured over loaded nachos.
🧅 Beer Queso – Smoky, cheesy, and made for sharing.
🍖 Beer Cheese Stuffed Meatballs – Juicy meatballs hiding molten beer cheese centers.
🍞 Beer Cheese Pull-Apart Bread – Tear-apart loaf bursting with melted cheese pockets.

🍝 Cheesy Beer-Infused Bakes

🥓 Bacon Cheddar Beer Bread – Savory, smoky, and packed with cheese and beer flavor.
🍺 IPA Mac & Cheese – Ultra-creamy macaroni baked with a hoppy beer bite.

Cheers to cheese and hops, all in one bite! 🍺🧀🍝