Description
A spooky Halloween Pumpkin Ale Mac and Cheese with black pasta and creamy orange sauce, ready in just 15 minutes. Includes beer and non-beer versions.
Ingredients
Pumpkin Ale Version:
12 oz pumpkin ale
½ pound (about 3 cups) shredded sharp cheddar
¼ cup + 2 tbsp flour
½ stick unsalted butter
½ tsp + pinch turmeric
½ tsp + pinch smoked paprika
Salt and pepper to taste
12 oz black bean rotini
1 tbsp olive oil
Non-Beer Version:
½ pound (about 3 cups) shredded sharp cheddar
½ stick unsalted butter
¾ cup heavy cream
Pinch pumpkin spice
½ tsp + pinch turmeric
½ tsp + pinch smoked paprika
Salt and pepper to taste
12 oz black bean rotini
1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
1. Shred cheddar and let reach room temperature. For ale version, coat cheese with flour.
2. Bring 4 quarts of salted water to a boil. Cook rotini 7–8 minutes until al dente.
3. Drain pasta, drizzle with olive oil, and set aside.
4. For ale version: Melt butter over medium heat. Stir in 2 tbsp flour, turmeric, and paprika to form roux.
5. Slowly whisk in pumpkin ale until combined and heated.
6. Remove from heat and gradually stir in cheese until melted. Season with salt and pepper.
7. For cream version: Melt butter over medium-low heat. Add cream and heat until hot.
8. Remove from heat, stir in cheese and pinch pumpkin spice until melted. Season to taste.
9. Serve pasta and sauce separately, pouring sauce over at the table.
Notes
Keep pasta and sauce separate to preserve the black and orange Halloween contrast.
Olive oil keeps pasta from sticking.
Use pumpkin spice lightly; it should not overpower the cheddar.
Pumpkin ale adds depth and spice that the cream version can’t fully replicate.
Store sauce separately and reheat gently to prevent splitting.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Halloween Recipes
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 381
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 321mg
- Fat: 72g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 101g
- Trans Fat: 6g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 16g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 111mg