Can you think of a better comfort food than mac & beer cheese in a mini pretzel bowl? This Oktoberfest, Super Bowl or game day appetizer using mini pretzel rolls and a beer cheese sauce for macaroni is every bit as tasty as it sounds. This mini pretzel bread bowl recipe with a panko pretzel topping is an autumn favourite.
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The rich and creamy macaroni filling is bathed in a delicious beer-based sauce and the whole thing is served inside a pretzel roll. The panko pretzel topping adds crunch and flavour to this tasty comfort food dish.
What Ingredients to Use
Although you could use hamburger buns for this mini pretzel bread bowl recipe, I like to use pretzel rolls. In addition, you will need pasta. I find that cavatappi is good. Cavatappi is like twisty macaroni tubes and cellantani is just another name for the same kind of pasta.
You will need to cook it following the directions on the box. I like my pasta al dente (like most Italians!) so when it’s tender but with a little bite it’s perfect!
Garlic, onion, mustard, cayenne, paprika, and nutmeg all add warm, earthy touches while the beer adds flavour too. Finally you will need shredded cheese along with butter, panko and salted pretzels for the panko pretzel topping.
Don’t be daunted by the ingredients list for this mac & cheese in a mini pretzel bowl because I expect you have most already. And it’s really easy to prepare!
How to Make this Mini Pretzel Bread Bowl Recipe
First you can make the bread bowls. It’s easiest to remove a cone-shaped piece from the middle of the roll. It’s important not to cut all the way through the roll so don’t rush this. You will want the mac & beer cheese in a mini pretzel bowl not running out the bottom of one!
You can save the cut out parts from the mini pretzel bread bowl recipe. Have them with the meal or save them for a future recipe needing breadcrumbs. For any recipe using mini pretzel rolls you can always make the bread into breadcrumbs for a later recipe.
Next up, you can make the beer cheese sauce for macaroni and then the panko pretzel topping. Combine the flour and butter to make a roux then add the cream and beer. Keep mixing and stirring this Oktoberfest, Super Bowl or game day appetizer. Your efforts will pay off!
Take the mixture off the heat and stir in all the spices and seasonings. Now add the cheese and stir. Add the pasta and there you go! All done!
The only thing you need to do now is to make the panko pretzel topping. Combine butter, pretzels and panko to make it then sprinkle it on top and serve immediately.
How to Serve Mac & Beer Cheese in a Mini Pretzel Bowl
As you’d expect, this Oktoberfest, Super Bowl or game day appetizer is best served right away. Over time the beer cheese sauce for macaroni will leak through the bread! This is why it’s best to serve it in a bowl to catch any drips.
Are you wondering about making this recipe using mini pretzel rolls ahead of time? If you’re planning a number of Oktoberfest, Super Bowl or game day appetizer ideas, you will want to make at least some in advance. You can make this recipe 2 or 3 days ahead. I just mean the beer cheese sauce for macaroni, not the panko pretzel topping or mini pretzel bread bowl recipe.
Reheat it adding a little milk to the mixture so everything comes out smooth and creamy again. Being able to make this ahead certainly saves you time when you are ready to make it. You can also cook the pasta ahead and just keep it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When reheating pasta though, especially in a cream sauce, you will need to add some cream or milk to get it creamy and liquid-y again!
This mac & beer cheese in a mini pretzel bowl is perfect for so many occasions, not just game day. It’s simply comfort food at its finest. The fact you can make this mini pretzel bread bowl recipe ahead is another plus.
If you are a fan of this mini pretzel bowl recipe, you might also like The BEST EVER Instant Pot Creamy Macaroni and Cheese, Smoked Beer Can Chicken with Mexican BBQ Sauce or Air Fryer Cheesy Bacon Hasselback Chicken.
Mac & Beer Cheese in a Mini Pretzel Bowl Recipe
Mac & Beer Cheese in a Mini Pretzel Bowl
Ingredients
- 12 pretzel rolls I used Pretzilla Burger Buns
- 1 Pound pasta cellentani/cavatappi pasta, cooked according to box instructions
- 1/2 Cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 Cup all purpose flour
- 1/2 Tbsp. salt
- 1 Tsp. onion powder
- 1/2 Tsp. black pepper ground
- 1/2 Tsp. mustard ground
- 1/4 Tsp. cayenne pepper
- 1/4 Tsp. paprika
- 1 Pinch nutmeg
- 2 Cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 Cup beer
- 6 Cup sharp cheddar sharp, freshly shredded
For the panko/pretzel topping:
- 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter
- 1/4 Cup panko unseasoned
- 1/4 Cup pretzels crushed, salted
Instructions
- Using a small, serrated knife, carefully cut a circle into the top of your pretzel rolls. I find it’s easiest to cut at an angle in a cone shape. Do not go all the way to the bottom because we don’t want to puncture the sides or the bottom of the bread bowls.
- Once the top of the rolls have been removed, if you desire, place them in a resealable bag so they can be served along with the beer mac later. Gently pull out pieces of the bread with your fingers, making sure to leave at least ½” on all sides of the bowl. If you accidentally rip out too much, or make a hole, no worries. Use a piece or two of the bread you’ve been pulling out to push into the hole and mend it. Put the cut bread bowls into a resealable bag as you did with the tops so they stay as fresh as possible while you cook the mac and cheese. Set aside.
- In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Slowly sprinkle in the flour, whisking until combined. Allow the flour to toast in the butter for 2 to 3 minutes. It will start smell nutty and begin to brown when it’s toasted.
- Gradually add heavy whipping cream, then beer, whisking the entire time. Bring mixture up to a low boil, continuously whisking until it has thickened. This takes about 10 minutes.
- Remove from heat and add salt, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, ground mustard, cayenne, paprika, and nutmeg. Stir to mix.
- Add in shredded cheddar and stir until it has completely melted, forming your cheese sauce.
- Add cooked pasta to the sauce and stir with a wooden spoon until it is spread throughout.
- Fill each pretzel roll with the beer mac.
Panko Pretzel Topping:
- In a small pan over medium heat, melt butter. Add panko and crushed pretzel. Stir, coating the crumb mixture in the butter. Continue stirring for 3-5 minutes, or until browned.
- Sprinkle some of the crumb mixture on top of each of the prepared macaroni-filled bread bowls.
Nutrition
Notes
The nutrition information provided are only estimates based on an online nutritional calculator. I am not a certified nutritionist. Please consult a professional nutritionist or doctor for accurate information and any dietary restrictions and concerns you may have.
Beer, cheese and pasta have never tasted so good together. And the mini pretzel bread bowl recipe is the icing on the cake! It looks really cool but honestly, it’s such a simple recipe to prepare, even if you have limited experience with dishes like this.
If you are looking for another game day appetizer, you might also like these Steak and Shiitake Mushroom Bruschetta Crostini Appetizers.
Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a storyteller, food lover, dog mom and adventure seeker living on the Pacific coast. She shares her passion for food, dogs, fitness, adventures, travel and philanthropy, in hopes of encouraging followers to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places and stand for a cause. Bella lives with Type 1 Diabetes and Celiac Disease.
Saving this for our Oktoberfest party this year. Looks so good.
OMG this looks so good! Kind of fancy too but not really yummy
Oh my gosh, yum, I would love this so much! I need to try it out.
I wish I could dive into this bowl right now. This looks incredible!
Alright this is genius! I will definitely have to try this!
I never would have thought of putting these two things together. It sounds and looks amazing though. I might have to try it.