Frederic Melton
Macaroni and cheese is a popular dish in Ireland, with many recipes incorporating Irish ingredients such as Guinness stout, Irish butter, and Irish cheeses such as Dubliner and Kerrygold. This dish is especially popular around St. Patrick's Day, when people add a touch of Irish culture to their meals. The combination of Guinness, Irish cheddar, and dijon mustard adds a sharpness that balances the richness of the dish. Some recipes also include bacon, another common ingredient in Irish cuisine. While macaroni and cheese is not traditionally Irish, these Irish-inspired twists on the classic American comfort food create a delicious fusion of flavours.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Main ingredients | Macaroni, Irish butter, Irish cheese, evaporated milk, mustard, salt, pepper, bacon, breadcrumbs, sage, nutmeg |
| Optional ingredients | Stout beer (Guinness), corned beef, cabbage, sugar, cloves, cayenne, onion, garlic |
| Cuisines | Irish-American fusion, St. Patrick's Day meal |
| Toppings | Crunchy, garlicky breadcrumbs, more cheese |
| Baking instructions | Bake for 15 minutes, until the breadcrumbs turn deep golden brown |
| Baking temperature | 350 degrees |
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What You'll Learn
Irish Mac & Cheese recipes
Overview
Irish Mac & Cheese is a twist on the classic American comfort food, made with Irish ingredients like Irish butter, Irish cheese, and Irish stout beer. The dish is perfect for St. Patrick's Day celebrations and can be made ahead of time, making it a convenient option for hosting.
Ingredients
- Irish butter
- Irish cheese (sharp cheddar, Dubliner, Swiss)
- Elbow macaroni
- Milk
- Cream
- Flour
- Salt
- Pepper
- Nutmeg
- Bay leaf
- Cloves
- Thyme
- Guinness (optional)
- Breadcrumbs (optional)
Recipe Instructions
Start by boiling the elbow macaroni in salted water until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving a cup of the pasta water.
In a separate saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add flour and cook for 2-3 minutes, whisking constantly. Gradually whisk in milk, cream, salt, pepper, bay leaf, and cloves. Simmer the mixture for several minutes until it thickens.
Remove the bay leaf, then whisk in the cheese until fully incorporated. Add salt, pepper, and nutmeg to taste. Combine the pasta and cheese sauce in a large bowl.
For an optional crunchy topping, melt butter in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add garlic and breadcrumbs, cooking until the breadcrumbs are toasted.
Spoon the macaroni and cheese into a cast iron skillet or casserole dish. Top with the toasted breadcrumbs and chopped fresh thyme. Bake at 375° F for 8-10 minutes, and serve immediately.
Variations and Tips
Some recipes suggest adding Guinness stout beer to the cheese sauce for a unique flavor. However, this may alter the taste significantly. You can also add cooked bacon or ham, wild mushrooms, or different herbs for additional flavor and texture.
If making ahead of time, it is recommended to stop the baking process 10 minutes early and complete it once you're ready to serve. This prevents the noodles from soaking up too much liquid.
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Kerrygold's Irish Mac & Cheese recipe
Macaroni and cheese is a classic American comfort food. However, adding Irish stout beer and Irish cheese in the sauce can give it an Irish twist. One such recipe is Kerrygold's Irish Mac & Cheese, which uses Irish butter and Irish cheese.
Ingredients:
- 250g macaroni
- 75g Kerrygold Pure Irish Butter, plus extra for greasing
- 50g plain flour
- 1 tsp wholegrain mustard
- A pinch of nutmeg
- 200g cheddar cheese, grated
- 50g parmesan cheese, grated
- Sea salt and ground black pepper
- 2 rashers streaky bacon
- A handful of basil leaves
- 45g chorizo
- Smoked paprika
Method:
- Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F/Gas Mark 6.
- Fill a large cooking pot with water and bring it to a boil over a high heat.
- Add the macaroni and cook until al dente, for about 12 minutes.
- Melt the Kerrygold butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat with thyme leaves, and then whisk in the flour.
- Cook for 2 minutes and then pour in the milk. Continuously whisk until the mixture comes to a steady simmer.
- Add the wholegrain mustard, a pinch of nutmeg, and three-quarters of the cheese. Season with sea salt and ground black pepper.
- Mix through until the cheese has melted.
- Pour the cheese sauce over the pasta in the pot and mix through until everything is combined.
- Divide the pasta between the dishes. At this point, you can add extra ingredients before baking, such as cooked and chopped bacon, French ham, or wild mushrooms sautéed in olive oil with chopped shallots and garlic.
- Sprinkle the dishes with the remaining cheese and bake for 25 minutes or until the top has turned golden and the sauce is bubbling.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly before serving.
For an added touch of Irish flavour, serve with a pint of your preferred Irish stout!
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Guinness and Irish Cheddar Mac & Cheese
Macaroni and cheese is a classic American comfort food. However, with the addition of Irish stout beer and Irish cheese, it takes on an Irish twist. This recipe is perfect for St. Patrick's Day or any other day you're craving some Irish comfort food.
Ingredients
- Elbow macaroni
- Salt
- Butter
- Flour
- Guinness stout
- Milk
- Half-and-half
- Salt
- Pepper
- Mustard (preferably dijon)
- Cream cheese
- Grated Irish cheddar cheese (preferably sharp)
- Breadcrumbs (optional)
- Garlic (optional)
- Parsley (optional)
Method
- Boil elbow macaroni in well-salted water until al dente. Remember to reserve a cup of pasta water before draining the pasta.
- Prepare the cheese sauce by melting butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Sprinkle in flour and whisk together for a minute.
- While whisking, slowly pour in Guinness, followed by milk, half-and-half, salt, pepper, and mustard. Bring to a simmer and cook until the sauce thickens.
- Add cream cheese and grated cheddar cheese to the sauce and stir until smooth.
- Combine the cooked pasta with the cheese sauce and stir well.
- If desired, prepare the crunchy garlic breadcrumb topping by melting butter in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add garlic and breadcrumbs, stirring frequently until the breadcrumbs are toasted and fragrant. Season with salt and pepper and mix in minced parsley.
- Sprinkle the topping over the macaroni and cheese, or serve it on the side.
Tips
- If you prefer your macaroni and cheese baked, transfer the mixture to a baking dish and sprinkle with breadcrumbs. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 15 minutes, or until the breadcrumbs are golden brown.
- For an extra sharp flavour, use aged Irish cheddar cheese.
- If the macaroni and cheese becomes too thick, add a little reserved pasta water or milk to adjust the consistency.
- If you are concerned about the alcohol content, omit the Guinness or replace it with additional pasta water or milk.
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Irish Cheddar Mac & Cheese with corned beef and cabbage
Macaroni and cheese is a classic American comfort food, but it can be given an Irish twist with the addition of Irish stout beer, Irish cheese, and other ingredients commonly found in Irish cuisine, like bacon.
One such recipe is Irish Cheddar Mac & Cheese with corned beef and cabbage. This recipe is perfect for St. Patrick's Day, but it can be enjoyed all year round. It is a great way to use up leftover corned beef from a St. Patrick's Day meal. To make this recipe, start by boiling elbow macaroni in well-salted water until it is al dente. Before draining the pasta, reserve a cup of the pasta water and set it aside.
While the pasta is cooking, prepare the cheese sauce. In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and sprinkle in flour. Whisk together for a minute. Then, while whisking, pour in Guinness, milk, half-and-half, salt, pepper, and mustard. Bring this mixture to a simmer and cook, whisking frequently, until it thickens slightly. This should take several minutes.
Next, add cream cheese and grated cheese to the sauce, and stir or whisk until it is completely smooth. Add the drained, cooked pasta and stir to combine. You can also add bacon crumbles at this stage. Finally, stir in the remaining grated cheddar until it is melted, which will help achieve a stringy, cheese-pull texture.
To incorporate the corned beef and cabbage, simply sauté the cabbage in a skillet with some butter for 2 to 4 minutes until it is tender. Then, stir in the corned beef and add this mixture to the cooked macaroni and cheese. Transfer everything to a casserole or baking dish, and sprinkle with a mixture of breadcrumbs, melted butter, and cheese. Bake at 350°F for about 15-30 minutes, until the topping turns a deep golden brown.
This Irish Cheddar Mac & Cheese is a perfect blend of comfort food and Irish flavours. It can be enjoyed as a main course or side dish, and it is sure to be a crowd-pleaser, especially on St. Patrick's Day.
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Irish butter and cheese
Kerrygold, an Irish dairy co-op based in Dublin, is a well-known producer of Irish butter and cheese. Their products, including butter and cheeses such as Dubliner Irish cheese, are sold under the Kerrygold brand in the US. Kerrygold butter has a unique golden colour and a rich, creamy taste, attributed to their Irish grass-fed cows. Similarly, their Dubliner cheese is a robust aged cow's milk cheese with a hard texture similar to cheddar. It offers a diverse range of flavours, from nutty to sharp to sweet, that complement a glass of full-bodied wine or a pint of Guinness.
Murray's Irish Cheddar is another popular Irish cheese. It is known for its grassy, sweet, and buttery flavour, with gentle fruity undertones. This cheese is surrounded by a thick coating of bright green wax, which not only protects the cheese from bacteria but also contributes to its smooth texture and evenly distributed flavour. The wax coating is a distinctive feature of this Irish cheddar, setting it apart from other varieties.
When creating an Irish macaroni and cheese, the choice of Irish butter and cheese is essential to achieving the desired flavour profile. The combination of Kerrygold butter and Dubliner cheese, as suggested by The Redhead Baker, provides a rich and creamy base for the sauce. The nutty and sharp characteristics of the Dubliner cheese add depth to the dish. Additionally, the use of Murray's Irish Cheddar, with its sweet and buttery notes, can enhance the creaminess of the sauce while providing a subtle fruity twist.
In conclusion, Irish butter and cheese are integral components of Irish macaroni and cheese. The unique flavours and qualities of these Irish dairy products elevate the dish, making it a comforting and indulgent treat, perfect for celebrating St. Patrick's Day or any other occasion.
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Frequently asked questions
Macaroni and cheese is not traditionally Irish, but it can be made with Irish ingredients, such as Irish butter, Irish cheese, and stout beer.
Irish Cheddar, Dubliner, Kerrygold, and Swiss Cheese are some of the Irish cheeses used in macaroni and cheese.
Irish macaroni and cheese uses Irish butter and cheese, and sometimes includes stout beer. It may also include Irish ingredients like bacon, cabbage, and corned beef.
To make Irish macaroni and cheese, cook the pasta according to the package instructions and set it aside to cool. In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat, add onions, and season with salt and sugar. Add flour and cook for a few minutes, then whisk in milk and cream. Bring the mixture to a simmer, add spices, and reduce the heat. Whisk in the cheese until incorporated, then combine with the pasta.
Irish macaroni and cheese is perfect for St. Patrick's Day, but it can be enjoyed on any day of the year. It's a comforting and indulgent dish that can be served as a main course.
