Pastrami Irish Mac and Cheese Recipe (2024)

Home » Holidays » St. Patrick's Day

Jump to Recipe

by Sandyon Mar 10, 2023

A cozy dish for St. Patrick’s Day, make a pan of Irish Mac and Cheese with pastrami (or corned beef)! Serve with a side salad and soda bread!

Pastrami Irish Mac and Cheese Recipe (1)

This Irish Beer Pastrami Mac and Cheese (with bacon) is to die for! If you’re looking for a good Dubliner Mac and Cheese recipe, then you’ve come to the right place. Especially for St. Patrick’s Day coming up, we love this Irish Mac and Cheese dish with corned beef (or pastrami) served with a slice of Irish Brown Soda Bread.

Table of Contents

Irish Mac and Cheese

Add a touch o’ the Irish to your original American comfort mac and cheese recipe, for this festive main dish today. You can also bring this to an Irish potluck, as it will be the first dish to be devoured quickly.

Why I love this recipe

  • We are an Irish family, so we always love to make mac and cheese at least once during the month of March.
  • It’s easy to make, and guests swoon over the additional bacon flavor.
  • The leftovers (if any), are out of this world.

Oh, and happy March!

Pastrami Irish Mac and Cheese Recipe (2)

Food comfort is … a big bowl of Irish mac and cheese with a bottle of Guinness beer. Right? When my husband and I went to Ireland, landing in Dublin, the first thing we did was go to Davey Byrnes for a pint of Guinness.

Not only does this tasty Irish Beer Cheese Pastrami Mac and Cheese look like a pot of gold, but it has delicious flavors of cheese, pastrami (or corned beef), and Guinness, so it tastes like gold, too! Oh, and give this Guinness Cheese Dip andChocolate Pudding Bundt Cake a try, too!

Pastrami Irish Mac and Cheese Recipe (3)

Gather these ingredients

  • Whole grain elbow macaroni
  • Kerrygold butter: we love Kerrygold (Irish) but you can use any brand + white flour
  • Guinness beer: or other stout
  • 2% milk
  • Kosher salt and ground black pepper
  • Sharp cheddar
  • Shredded mozzerella
  • Shredded Dubliner cheese
  • Pastrami: or use corned beef
  • Bacon
  • Chives: optional, for garnish

Pastrami Irish Mac and Cheese Recipe (4)
How do you make Irish Mac & Cheese

  1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil with salt. Cook your macaroni according to package directions (but make sure it is el dente)—do not rinse under water after the pasta is cooked. Set aside.
  2. Make the roux: In a medium saucepan, heat the butter on medium-low heat. After it has melted and begins to gently bubble, add the flour, and whisk consistently to incorporate. Smooth out any lump, and continue stirring frequently until the flour turns an off-white color and emits a nutty scent.
  3. Stream the warmed milk into the pan slowly and continue to stir. When milk is incorporated and the sauce is smooth, add in the beer and continue stirring. Whisk gently over low heat until the sauce is smooth and thickened.
  4. When sauce is smooth, remove from heat and add in 1/3 cup cheddar cheese, Dubliner, mozzarella, pasta, bacon, pastrami, and 1/4 cup chives. Mix until all ingredients are incorporated, then transfer to baking dish or skillet. Sprinkle with remaining 1/3 cup of cheddar cheese.
  5. Bake until cheese bubbles and is slightly browned.
  6. Remove from oven, sprinkle with remaining chives, and serve hot.Pastrami Irish Mac and Cheese Recipe (5)

Tips and substitutions:

  • This mac and cheese is loaded with flavor, because it’s so rich, this recipe makes an 8X8 (or similar sized) baking dish. You can double the recipe to feed more people.
  • Bacon is optional, but it really adds to the flavor!
  • Swap out the elbow macaroni for your favorite pasta.
  • Chives are a great touch for a garnish, but you can also add parsley.

Pastrami Irish Mac and Cheese Recipe (6)

Cozy winter meal – mac & cheese

Friends, we recently hiked into a hut at Edison’s Snow Park with our good friends. It was so fun, but guess what?

Pastrami Irish Mac and Cheese Recipe (7)

Comfort is a cozy fire, good food, being warm in the cold outdoors, being with your favorite people and dog.

And coming home to a dish of mac and cheese, the ultimate comfort food.

Mac & cheese is synonymous with fond memories, full bellies and family.

More Irish dishes to try:

Classic Shepherd’s Pie Recipe

St. Patrick’s Day Snack Board

Irish Guinness Cupcakes

Bailey’s Irish Cream Cake

Colcannon Irish Potatoes

Steak and Potato Soup

Pastrami Irish Mac and Cheese Recipe (8)

4.86 stars (7 reviews)

Leave a Review

Get the Recipe:

Irish Mac and Cheese

A cozy dish for St. Patrick’s Day, make a pan of Irish Mac and Cheese with pastrami (or corned beef)! Serve with a side salad and soda bread!

Prep Time: 20 minutes mins

Cook Time: 40 minutes mins

Total Time: 1 hour hr

Yield: 6

Print RecipePin RecipeSave Recipe

Ingredients

  • ½ pound whole grain elbow macaroni
  • 2 tablespoons Kerrygold butter
  • 2 tablespoons white flour
  • cup Guinness stout, or other stout
  • 1 ½ cup 2% milk
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 2 cups shredded Dubliner cheese, divided
  • 4 oz sliced pastrami, cut into about 1’’ pieces (or corned beef)
  • 4 oz bacon, cooked and cut into about 1’’ pieces
  • Fresh chives, finelly chopped for garnish

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.

  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil with 2 Tbsp of salt. Cook your macaroni according to package directions (but make sure it is el dente)—do not rinse under water after the pasta is cooked. Set aside.

  • Make the roux: In a medium saucepan, heat the butter on medium-low heat. After it has melted and begins to gently bubble, add the flour, and whisk consistently to incorporate. Smooth out any lump, and continue stirring frequently until the flour turns an off-white color and emits a nutty scent.

  • Stream the warmed milk into the pan slowly and continue to stir. When milk is incorporated and the sauce is smooth, add in the beer and continue stirring. Whisk gently over low heat until the sauce is smooth and thickened, 5-7 minutes.

  • When sauce is smooth, remove from heat and add in 1/3 cup cheddar cheese, Dubliner, mozzarella, pasta, bacon, pastrami, and 1/4 cup chives. Mix until all ingredients are incorporated, then transfer to baking dish or skillet. Sprinkle with remaining 1/3 cup of cheddar cheese.

  • Bake for 27-30 minutes, or until cheese bubbles and is slightly browned.

  • Remove from oven, sprinkle with remaining chives, and serve hot.

Notes

Reposted from March 2020.

Cuisine: Irish

Course: Main Course

Author: Sandy / Reluctant Entertainer

Calories: 529kcal, Carbohydrates: 35g, Protein: 27g, Fat: 32g, Saturated Fat: 16g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 9g, Trans Fat: 0.2g, Cholesterol: 91mg, Sodium: 938mg, Potassium: 294mg, Fiber: 0.1g, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 730IU, Vitamin C: 7mg, Calcium: 477mg, Iron: 2mg

Did you make this recipe?Tag @reluctantentertainer on Instagram and hashtag it #reluctantentertainer!

Pastrami Irish Mac and Cheese Recipe (9)

Related Posts:

  • BEST Corned Beef and Cabbage
  • Trader Joe's Cheesy Irish Sliders
  • Fresh Irish Soda Bread Recipe
  • Pastrami Sauerkraut Crostini

Pastrami Irish Mac and Cheese Recipe (14)

Hello and welcome to my home and table!

I’m Sandy—lover of food, family, cooking, THE BIG BOARD, travel, and bringing people together. Through great recipes and connection around the table, we become better, stronger, and more courageous people. Feasting on Life is real, and every time we do it, we grow a little more. Read more...

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

Entertaining Holiday Foods Holidays Hospitality Main Dishes Recipes St. Patrick's Day

published on Mar 10, 2023

3 commentsLeave a comment »

get new recipes via email

PLUS get a free recipe ebook with sign up!

« Previous PostChocolate Pudding Bundt Cake

Next Post »St. Patrick’s Day Menu Recipes

Leave a Reply

3 comments on “Irish Mac and Cheese”

Leave a comment »

  1. CindyReply

    Pastrami Irish Mac and Cheese Recipe (15)
    This is amazingly good and will not be reserved for St. Patrick’s Day in our household! Thank you!

  2. Allena MacDonaldReply

    Made the Pastrami Irish Mac and Cheese and my family absolutely loved it. I doubled the recipe. Good thing
    ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    • Sandy

      So glad you loved it!

Pastrami Irish Mac and Cheese Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What kind of cheese goes best with pastrami? ›

Cheese: Not all pastrami sandwiches have cheese, but those that do use Swiss cheese. In a pinch, provolone cheese works well, too. Feel free to use any other white mild cheese you love for a slightly different taste. Mustard: For a slightly spicy kick, use dijon mustard for the sauce.

What is the best meat for pastrami? ›

Pastrami is made with point brisket, which contains more marbling and fat. Pastrami can also be made with other cuts of beef, such as deckle (a lean shoulder cut) or navel (aka beef belly, which comes from the plate, a juicy section just below the ribs).

What condiments go on a pastrami sandwich? ›

Divide meat among bread, using 4 ounces for smaller sandwich, and 8 ounces for large. Add cheese, mustard, pickles, and onions to taste. Grill sandwich until toasty and crisp if desired. Serve warm with chips if desired.

Does pastrami and cheese go together? ›

My loaded pastrami included nutty Swiss cheese, crisp shredded lettuce for crunch, diced pickles for sharpness, mayo and, of course, the mustard. My go-to favorite has always been the Maille Dijon Originale and it added the perfect flavor punch to all these ingredients.

What's the difference between a Reuben and a pastrami sandwich? ›

That sandwich is composed of corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Russian or Thousand Island dressing on rye. Alternatively, a Reuben made with turkey is called a Rachel. Unlike a hot pastrami, a Reuben sandwich is not considered kosher because it combines meat and cheese.

What are the 3 best cheeses for mac and cheese? ›

What Is the Best Cheese for Mac and Cheese? Sharp cheddar is the overwhelming popular choice, but for extra-creamy results, we think medium cheddar is even better. Other delicious options include Gruyère, smoked Gouda, and Monterey Jack.

What are the best 5 cheeses for mac and cheese? ›

Gruyere is a classic addition because it melts much like Cheddar, but has a lovely nutty flavor. Other classics include Gouda, Muenster, Parmesan, fontina, Havarti and Monterey Jack. Brie works well too, just make sure you remove the rind before mixing it in.

Which is healthier pastrami or corned beef? ›

Though pastrami and corned beef have the same nutritional elements, like protein and fat content, they have different quantities of salt. The sodium content in corned beef is higher compared to pastrami. Because of this, many people consider pastrami healthier and more flavorful than corned beef.

Is pastrami basically corned beef? ›

Corned beef is made from brisket, which comes from the lower chest of the cow; pastrami is either made from a cut called the deckle, a lean, wide, firm shoulder cut, or the navel, a smaller and juicier section right below the ribs. These days, you may also see pastrami made from brisket.

Which is tastier pastrami or corned beef? ›

Pastrami is more flavorful because it's brined before being rubbed with a flavorful seasoning blend whereas corned beef is only brined.

Do you put mayo on pastrami? ›

Add 1/4 pound of pastrami, a slice of Baby Swiss, shredded lettuce and 2 tomato slices. Spread 1 tablespoon each of mayonnaise and spicy mustard on a third slice to top off the sandwich.

How is pastrami traditionally served? ›

Pastrami on rye is a fantastic Jewish deli food and signature sandwich in New York. In fact, it is a staple of several Jewish delis. You can make the sandwich by simply putting delicate slices of pastrami on rye bread and adding the mustard spicy sauce. People love to enjoy pastrami on rye with kosher dill pickles.

What pairs with pastrami? ›

The best side dishes to serve with pastrami sandwiches are pickles, caramelized onion, cheese dip, tater tots, corn on the cob, potato salad, French fries, coleslaw, sweet potato fries, garden salad, onion rings, and macaroni salad.

What goes well with pastrami? ›

The best side dishes to serve with pastrami sandwiches are pickles, caramelized onion, cheese dip, tater tots, corn on the cob, potato salad, French fries, coleslaw, sweet potato fries, garden salad, onion rings, and macaroni salad.

Does pastrami and mozzarella go together? ›

Toast the bread, spread the bread with butter, on the bottom piece spread a liberal amount of Dijon mustard, layer on the New York pastrami top with the mozzarella cheese. Place on a tray lined with baking paper, put in the oven and cook until the cheese has melted. Top with the sliced pickled beans.

Does pastrami go on a charcuterie board? ›

When assembling a charcuterie board, start by choosing two or three different meats. Any cured meats, such as pastrami, pancetta and pepperoni, can pair well with some of the sweeter options in your display. These dark, savory meats are usually some of the larger items on the board, so make sure to arrange them first.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Rev. Porsche Oberbrunner

Last Updated:

Views: 6670

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (73 voted)

Reviews: 88% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Rev. Porsche Oberbrunner

Birthday: 1994-06-25

Address: Suite 153 582 Lubowitz Walks, Port Alfredoborough, IN 72879-2838

Phone: +128413562823324

Job: IT Strategist

Hobby: Video gaming, Basketball, Web surfing, Book restoration, Jogging, Shooting, Fishing

Introduction: My name is Rev. Porsche Oberbrunner, I am a zany, graceful, talented, witty, determined, shiny, enchanting person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.