Beer Cheese Pasta Sauce

September 2, 2019March 1, 2024 Updated onMarch 1, 2024

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Here in Omaha, we have a place called Spaghetti Works. This Beer Cheese Pasta Sauce is a copycat of their beloved recipe.

Creamy beer cheese pasta sauce over Cavatappi noodles, topped with bacon crumbles. So rich and comforting.

There is a restaurant here in Omaha, that is one of those classic restaurants, that seems like it’s been here forever. It’s called Spaghetti Works, and it’s always a treat to go to. We actually have two different locations, one in Ralston and one in our historic Old Market downtown, pictured here in this photo by Doug French.

Spaghetti Works also has a location in Des Moines, Iowa. It’s home to the bottomless bowl of pasta. Seriously, you can just keep ordering flavor after flavor, change up what kind of noodles, until you can barely wobble out of there. Aside from the pasta though, my favorite thing is their huge salad bar.

Ingredients in Beer Cheese Pasta Sauce:

Half & Half
Beer
Cheez Whiz
Beef Broth
Butter
Flour

Okay — I know, I know. Cheez Whiz — some of you will say gross. But it was in every single recipe I found that claimed to taste like Spaghetti Works Beer Cheese Pasta Sauce. I decided to give it a go, and guess what? It tasted just right!

I used a light beer, because as much as I enjoy an ice cold beer, beer flavored foods are not always my favorite. If you would prefer a more intense beer flavor, use a darker beer. The recipe I mimicked called for whole milk, but I always buy skim, so I went full fat and used half & half. When it comes to cheese — why not?

Everyone suggested serving with crumbled bacon. I never remember that being a “thing” at Spaghetti Works, but I tried it both ways and I definitely preferred it with bacon. I will say that this beer cheese sauce is pretty mellow. There aren’t any spices whatsoever. We also topped with with red pepper flakes to give it some umph.

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What would you add? Or maybe you’d like to keep it nice and mellow and cheesy, just like it is?

Like all of my recipes, I hope you enjoy this one!

This Beer Cheese Pasta Sauce is a mellow cheese sauce served over pasta. It's a copycat recipe from Spaghetti Works. Delicious topped with bacon!

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Cook Time6 minutes mins

Total Time11 minutes mins

Cuisine: American/Italian

Keyword: Beer Cheese, Copycat, pasta, recipe, Sauce, Spaghetti Works

Servings: 6

Calories: 450kcal

Author: Michaela Kenkel

Ingredients

12 ounces 1 1/2 cups Half & Half
1 12 ounce jar Cheez Whiz
1 12 ounce light beer pour it a little ahead so it's a bit flat
12 ounces 1 1/2 cups broth
6 Tablespoons butter
6 Tablespoons flour
1 pound package pasta prepared
Bacon for topping if desired

Instructions

In a small pan, melt butter for about 2 minutes. Don't let it brown. Add in flour to form a roux.
In a medium sized sauce pan, over medium heat, heat half & half, Cheez Whiz, beer and beef broth, stirring constantly. When sauce reaches approximately 140 degrees F. add the roux. Continue cooking, stirring constantly until sauce reaches 160 degrees F. Don't let it come to a boil, you don't want it to curdle.
Serve immediately over prepared pasta, topped with bacon if desired.

Notes

Also delicious as an appetizer served with my Italian Meatballs.

Adapted from a recipe found on Youtube/Big Red Recipes

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