Rackhouse Pub's Beer-Baked Mac 'n' Cheese

Just when you thought mac 'n' cheese couldn't get any better, the Rackhouse Pub in Denver decides to add beer to this quintessential comfort food. And it's magical. The recipe combines no less than five -- yes, five -- kinds of cheese in a rich base lightened with a cup of amber ale and then bakes it all under a crust of panko crumbs and Parmesan cheese to rich, crisp, golden perfection. The recipe was printed in the Los Angeles Times' Culinary SOS column.

• Ready In: 1 hr 25 mins
• Serves: 16

Ingredients

• 1⁄2 cup butter (2 sticks)
• 1⁄2 cup flour
• 1⁄2 cup  amber beer
• 2  cups half-and-half
• 1⁄2 lb  brie cheese
• 16  ounces cream cheese (2 packages)
• 1 1⁄2 cups  crumbled gorgonzola
• 2 1⁄2 cups  shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 1⁄2 cups  grated parmesan cheese, divided
• 1 (16 ounce) box penne pasta, cooked and drained
•  salt and pepper
• 1⁄2 cup panko breadcrumbs or 1⁄2 cup  breadcrumbs

Directions

1. In a medium, heavy-bottom pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour to form a light roux. Slowly whisk in the beer and half and half.
2. Add the Brie and cream cheese to the sauce, stirring until the cheeses are melted and incorporated. Stir in the Gorgonzola, cheddar and 1 cup Parmesan cheese.
3. Stir in the pasta, taste and adjust the seasonings as desired with salt and pepper (some of the cheese will be salty and the mixture may need only a little salt, if any).
4. Pour the mixture into a 13-by-9-inch baking dish. Top the mixture by sprinkling over the remaining Parmesan cheese and panko crumbs. Place the dish in the oven and bake until the sauce is bubbly and the toppings are crisp and golden, about 1 hour. Cool slightly before serving.