Stout Mushroom Mac & Cheese: Earthy, Creamy, and Dripping with Stout & Umami

This Stout Mushroom Mac & Cheese is what happens when deep, roasted stout meets sautéed mushrooms and gooey cheese in one ultra-comforting skillet.

It’s rich and hearty with layers of earthy flavor, ideal for fall and winter dinners, beer pairings, or meatless meals that still eat like a full event.

Perfect with a pint and a cozy sweater — or a side of crispy onions and zero regrets.

Ingredients

  • 12 oz pasta (elbows, shells, or cavatappi)
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 8 oz mushrooms (cremini, button, or mixed), sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup stout (dry Irish stout or coffee/chocolate stout)
  • ¾ cup whole milk or half & half
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • ½ tsp thyme (fresh or dried)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1½ cups shredded sharp white cheddar
  • 1 cup shredded Gruyère or fontina
  • Optional: ½ cup Parmesan for depth
  • Optional topping: crispy onions, toasted breadcrumbs, or truffle oil

Stout Tip: Choose a dry Irish stout or smooth chocolate stout. Avoid sweet pastry stouts or overly hoppy black IPAs.

Instructions

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

Boil pasta in salted water until al dente.

Drain and set aside.

Step 2: Sauté the Mushrooms

  • In a large skillet, melt butter with olive oil over medium heat.
  • Add mushrooms and cook until golden and reduced, about 8–10 minutes.
  • Add garlic and thyme; cook 1 more minute.
  • Remove some mushrooms to top later, if desired.

Step 3: Make the Roux & Sauce

  • Sprinkle flour into the mushroom skillet and stir for 1–2 minutes.
  • Slowly whisk in the stout, scraping up any browned bits, then add milk.
  • Simmer 3–5 minutes, until slightly thickened.
  • Stir in Dijon, salt, and pepper.

Step 4: Add Cheese & Pasta

  • Lower heat and stir in cheeses a handful at a time until smooth and creamy.
  • Add cooked pasta and toss to coat.
  • Top with reserved mushrooms or optional toppings.

Optional: Bake It

Transfer to a greased baking dish. Top with breadcrumbs or cheese.

Bake at 400°F for 10–15 minutes, or broil for 2–3 minutes until golden and bubbly.

Serving Suggestions

  • Serve With:
    • Roasted Brussels sprouts
    • Garlic beer bread
    • Arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette
  • Top It With:
    • Crispy onions
    • Truffle oil or chili flakes
    • A fried egg or extra mushrooms

Beer Pairing

  • In the dish:
    • Guinness or Murphy’s Stout
    • Chocolate stout or oatmeal stout
  • In your glass:
    • Same stout used in the sauce
    • Brown ale or porter for matching roasted notes
    • Belgian dubbel for sweetness contrast

🧀 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

Stout Mushroom Mac & Cheese is creamy, rich, and overflowing with umami from the mushrooms and malty beer.

It’s cozy, complex, and perfect when you want your comfort food to feel a little more grown-up — but still hit every indulgent note.

Cheers to beer, cheese, and mushrooms making mac magic! 🍄🧀🍺

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.

Similar Posts