Slow Cooker Beer Mac & Cheese
Mac and Cheese is amazing on it’s own, but when you add your favorite beer you end up with a grown-up comfort food you’ll want to make again and again. Even better? Slow Cooker Beer Mac & Cheese!
Attention grown-ups!! You never have to eat mac and cheese from a box again! Why? Because using your slow cooker to make delicious homemade mac and cheese, and more specifically Slow Cooker Beer Mac & Cheese, is so easy that once you try it you will never go back! Plus, what packaged mac and cheese that you know of comes with beer? Beer mac and cheese. A real thing. A real good thing.
Did I mention how simple this is to make? Just 5 ingredients into the slow cooker will get you started! Some nice lean stew meat makes this a delicious beefy meal that will be plenty filling even for hearty appetites! A simple seasoning blend makes for an all in one option that makes prep even that much quicker. Could this recipe possibly get any better??
Slow Cooker Beer Mac & Cheese
Ingredients
For pasta:
- 1 pound beef stew meat
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 cup stout beer
- 1 tablespoon worcestershire pub burger seasoning
- 14.5 oz can fire-roasted tomatoes
- 8 oz pasta noodles for later (see note)
For cheese sauce:
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1/2 cup stout beer
- 2 cups milk
- 2 cups shredded cheese
Instructions
- Add all pasta ingredients except for noodles to slow cooker
- Cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-8 until meat is cooked through
- Stir in pasta noodles and return slow cooker to high for 15-45 minutes (see note) until liquid is absorbed and noodles are al dente (add more liquid 1/4 cup at a time if needed)
- In the meantime, melt butter in saucepan over medium high heat
- Whisk in flour until smooth
- Slowly whisk in beer (keep whisking so you don't get lumps) and let simmer for 2-3 minutes
- Slowly stir in milk while continuing to whisk and then let simmer while whisking occasionally until thickened (about 4-6 minutes)
- Stir in cheese and remove from heat
- Add salt and pepper to taste if desired
- Stir cheese sauce into finished pasta and serve
Notes
Nutrition
Mac & Cheese in the Slow Cooker is amazing! Try out these other delicious recipes too!!
Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese
Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese with Garlic Chicken
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This was AMAZING! I actually had to adapt it a little because, I viewed the recipe still in pinterest and you cant see that theres a specific pasta. Or a note to a specific pasta. Anyhow, i cooked the meat, beer, stock, seasoning and tomatoes as i was supposed to. I wish I would have done it on low (pregnant brain forgot about it. I eventually drained 90% of the juice into a pan and added extra broth and cooked the noodles seperate. They absorbed most of the liquid. I added about half cup of extra cheese, and beer to the cheese mixture. It turned out really well. I bet it would be good with a polish sausage.
I’m so glad you liked it Mikyla! I agree, sausage would be a great addition.
i made this today for a potluck christmas party lunch and was extremely disappointed. my dish looked nothing like the pictures. in fact, it looked more like a brownish soup. the macaroni disintegrated in the crock pot, and there was entirely too much cheese sauce mixture. i even cooked the noodles less than recommended when i noticed them falling apart. the flavors were excellent, other than slightly starchy…..than not sure what i did wrong, but it turned out nothing like i expected. bummer!
oh no Mary!! That’s awful and I’m so sorry! Sounds like somehow there may have been too much liquid left in the slow cooker but I’m not sure how. Did the cheese sauce thicken enough for you? What kind of beef did you use? Did you use the Pronto noodles or another kind?
Do you need the tomatoes?
You can just leave them out!
I loved the idea of this!!! I didn’t want to make another stop today with my little one, so I used what I had in the fridge… hard apple cider!! I figured that cheddar and apples go well together, so why not?! It turned out perfect! I also didn’t used tomatoes, because my family doesn’t like them and instead of the burger seasoning I used onion powder, garlic powder, pepper and seasoned salt. So good! Thanks for the receipe. And you’re totally right about the noodles, I used the pronto! to avoid them getting soggy.
Isn’t it amazing how creative we can get when we have a little one with us and don’t want to stop at the store?! I love it!! Your changes sound amazing, I think I will have to try them soon!
What size can of tomatoes did you use?
Hi Kate! Sorry about that, it was a 14.5 oz can.
Where can I find the stout beer?
Hi Betsy! Best bet would be to head to your local liquor store and ask for a recommendation. Tell them what you are making and they will help you pick out something perfect!
What can you substitute the beer with?
Hi Kelly! You could try subbing it out with beef broth but you will probably want to up the seasonings by maybe 1/2 teaspoon or so. But I honestly haven’t tested it out that way since it was more designed with the flavor of the beer in mind. You might like this White Cheddar Bacon Mac and Cheese instead?
Made this tonight! Turned out really well! I used tricolor rotini and they needed about 20 minutes to cook and I added a half cup of water to the pasta as it cooked.
I’m so glad you liked it Courtney!! I just made another mac & cheese recipe using pulled pork on Friday, and I will be sharing it soon. I think you will like it too, so stay tuned!
What type of shredded cheese did you use?
Hi Juli! I used a block of sharp cheddar and grated it myself. We love sharp cheddar at our house, but you could also use mild cheddar or a cheddar jack blend.
I’ve never heard of Worcestershire pub burger seasoning. How can I make it at home?
Hi Allyn! Here is a link to the product on Amazon. But, I’ve been able to find it at Wal-Mart and other grocery stores. If you can’t find it, the McCormick Steak Seasoning is widely available and a great substitute.
FYI the pub burger seasoning said it was discontinued this summer 🙁 what should I use instead since I couldn’t find it today
That is a bummer, that was my favorite! Any burger seasoning or even steak seasoning will work.