Beer Cheese Bread Bowl Recipe

• Difficulty: Easy
• Servings: Serves 4 to 6
• Nutritional Information Per Serving (1 of 6):
  • Calories: 415
  • Total Fat: 30 g
  • Saturated Fat: 16 g
  • Carbohydrates: 17 g
  • Dietary Fiber: 2 g
  • Sugar: 5 g
  • Protein: 18 g
  • Cholesterol: 75 mg
  • Sodium: 659 mg
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Active Time: 40 minutes

Bread Bowl Ingredients:

• 1 crusty round loaf of bread
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 clove garlic, pressed
• 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Beer Cheese Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup (4 tablespoons) salted butter
• 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup milk
• 6 ounces light beer
• 2 heaping tablespoons grainy mustard
• 1 cup grated Cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Fontina cheese
• 1/2 cup grated mozzarella cheese

For Dipping:

• Pretzel rods
• 2 large carrots, cut into sticks
• 4 celery stalks, cut into sticks

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375F. Slice off the top quarter of the bread round and cut this portion into cubes, setting them aside. Carefully hollow out the inside of the bread round with a knife, creating a hollow shell, and cube the removed bread.
2. In a small bowl, combine olive oil, pressed garlic, and red pepper flakes. Brush this aromatic mixture on both the interior and exterior of the bread bowl. Place the bread bowl on a baking sheet and sprinkle the inside generously with Parmesan cheese. Toss the cubed bread in the leftover oil mixture and spread it on the baking sheet alongside the bread bowl. Bake until golden and crispy, about 15 to 18 minutes.
3. While the bread toasts, prepare the beer cheese: Melt butter in a large saucepan or deep skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced onions, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes, cooking until the onions turn golden and caramelized, approximately 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in the flour until fully incorporated, then gradually whisk in the milk and beer in small portions, whisking thoroughly between additions to prevent lumps from forming.
4. Remove from heat and add the grainy mustard and all three cheeses, stirring until the mixture becomes smooth, creamy, and luxuriously rich.
5. Carefully ladle the hot cheese mixture into the toasted bread bowl and serve alongside the crispy bread cubes, pretzel rods, fresh carrot sticks, and celery sticks for dipping.