Beecher's Handmade Cheese is a Seattle-based company that has been making award-winning cheese since 2003. They are also known for their creamy and delicious macaroni and cheese, made with fresh, local ingredients. If you've ever visited Pike Place Market, you've likely sampled their macaroni and cheese... or you may have found it in your local grocery store's freezer section.
As a big fan of Beecher's, naturally we wanted to try all the macaroni and cheese offerings we could get our hands on, including the Smoked Salmon Mac available exclusively at Pike Place Market. In this story, we'll share our experience trying each variety:
"World's Best" Mac & Cheese
Gluten Free Mac & Cheese
Mariachi Mac & Cheese
Broccoli Mac & Cheese
Smoked flagship Mac & Cheese
Cauliflower Mac alla Vodka Sauce
Smoked Salmon Mac & Cheese (Pike Place Market Exclusive)
We recognize that Beecher's offers limited edition flavors, and obviously we weren't able to get to every one of those. This list represents all the flavors we were able to get at our local grocery store and during a recent visit to Pike Place Market.
Outline:
About Beecher's
In 2003, Kurt Beecher Dammeier opened the first Beecher's Handmade Cheese store in Pike Place Market. The store was an instant success, and Beecher's quickly became one of the most popular cheesemakers in the country.
Beecher's holds a special place in the hearts of food lovers, renowned for its exceptional quality and unforgettable flavors. With their flagship location nestled within the iconic Pike Place Market, Beecher's has become among the best food destinations in Seattle for locals and tourists alike, offering a delightful culinary experience that captures the essence of the Pacific Northwest.
What sets Beecher's macaroni and cheese apart is the exceptional cheese they produce in-house. At their Pike Place Market location, visitors can witness the cheese-making process firsthand through large windows that showcase the cheesemaking facility. Guests can witness their team at work, preparing dishes and cheeses for customers to try on the spot or order to go.
Beyond their flagship location, Beecher's has expanded its reach, offering their delectable mac and cheese in select retail stores and online, allowing mac and cheese enthusiasts across the country to indulge in their culinary creations. Beecher's has successfully captured the essence of comfort food and transformed it into an art form, elevating mac and cheese to new heights with their dedication to craftsmanship, quality ingredients, and a passion for culinary innovation.
II. "World's Best" Mac & Cheese
Let's start with Beecher's biggest claim, the "World's Best" Mac & Cheese. This one definitely lives up to its name, and is one of the reason Beecher's is synonymous with unrivaled macaroni and cheese.
Beecher's iconic dish is the epitome of comfort food, crafted with love and expertise to create a symphony of flavors that tantalize the taste buds. From its velvety cheese sauce to perfectly cooked pasta, Beecher's "World's Best" Macaroni and Cheese is a shining example of their commitment to excellence and the ultimate indulgence for mac and cheese enthusiasts.
We've had this one at least a dozen times from Beecher's locations throughout the Greater Seattle region, so we were curious to know how the frozen version performed when reheated at home. We were pleasantly surprised to find that their frozen macaroni and cheese rivals the creamy, cheesy goodness that you can order in-person.
The cheese sauce, made from Beecher's carefully selected blend of cheeses, coats every strand of al dente pasta, creating a luscious and luxurious texture. Each bite is a melange of flavors, with the tangy and nutty notes of the cheese dancing harmoniously with the rich, velvety sauce. The balanced and robust flavor profile is a testament to Beecher's dedication to sourcing the highest-quality ingredients and their mastery of cheese-making.
III. Gluten Free Mac & Cheese
This was our first time trying Beecher's Gluten-Free Macaroni and Cheese, and we have to say that Beecher's has perfected the art of gluten-free pasta in this one. We found that this macaroni and cheese delivers all the flavor and creaminess you'd expect from this beloved comfort food, without the inclusion of traditional gluten pasta.
The gluten-free pasta, cooked to perfection, provides a satisfying bite that holds up to the velvety cheese sauce. Beecher's expertise in cheese-making shines through as their signature blend of cheeses lends its distinctive flavors to every forkful. Each bite offers a rich and creamy experience, where the cheese sauce clings to the pasta, ensuring that every mouthful is a delight. The absence of gluten doesn't compromise the taste or texture, making this mac and cheese a winner for both gluten-free individuals and mac and cheese enthusiasts alike.
Honestly, we don't have much to say about this one. It's a great macaroni and cheese, and unlike some other brands, Beecher's gluten-free alternative to its signature product is as delicious as the original.
IV. Mariachi Mac & Cheese
We really enjoyed this one. Beecher's Mariachi Mac & Cheese is a bold and vibrant macaroni and cheese that infuses the classic comfort of mac and cheese with the lively flavors of Mexican cuisine. Packed with zesty spices, peppers, and a touch of heat, this one was definitely unexpected.
The incorporation of spices such as cumin, chili powder, and paprika infuses the dish with a distinct Mexican influence. The addition of roasted red onion, corn, and peppers adds not only a vibrant pop of color but also a delightful hint of smokiness and sweetness. The cheese sauce, made from Beecher's signature blend, acts as a velvety backdrop, tying all the elements together in perfect harmony.
The spices and peppers definitely cut through the creaminess of the cheese sauce well, making this a really successful combination. If you like Mexican flavors and ingredients, you may love this one.
V. Broccoli Mac & Cheese
When you put broccoli in something rich, that makes it makes it healthier, right? This macaroni and cheese might appeal to anyone who loves a hot bowl of broccoli and cheddar soup, as the flavors were similar.
The tender yet slightly crunchy broccoli in this macaroni and cheese adds a refreshing element to the dish, offering a burst of color, texture, and a subtle vegetal sweetness. The combination of creamy, cheesy goodness with the earthy flavors of broccoli creates a delectable balance would definitely appeal to mac and cheese lovers and maybe even those who are health-conscious and looking to indulge.
VI. Smoked Flagship Mac & Cheese
The Beecher's Smoked Flagship Mac & Cheese is one of Beecher's best sellers according to the person we spoke with at Pike Place Market, and it's no surprise why. Spoiler alert: this one was hands down our favorite.
The smoked flavor of the cheese adds a unique twist that is sure to keep you coming back for more. This was our first time trying Beecher's Smoked Flagship Mac & Cheese, and we were blown away by how good it was. The pasta was cooked al dente and the cheese sauce was so creamy that it literally melted in our mouths. The smoked flavor of the cheese was subtle but noticeable, and it really enhanced the overall flavor of the dish.
We would definitely recommend Beecher's Smoked Flagship Mac & Cheese to anyone who loves mac and cheese. It is a delicious and satisfying dish that is sure to please everyone at the table.
VII. Cauliflower Mac alla Vodka Sauce
Some of the purists may question if penne alla vodka should actually be considered a macaroni and cheese, and we think it should. It's a pasta mixed with a cheese sauce, so we're going to include it in this round up.
This was our first time trying Beecher's Cauliflower Mac alla Vodka, and we were pleasantly surprised. The pasta was perfectly chewy and had a subtle, nutty flavor. The sauce was flavorful and had a bit of a kick to it. The cheese came through in the sauce and was creamy and rich, and it helped to bind all of the ingredients together.
Overall, we thought Beecher's Cauliflower Mac alla Vodka was delicious and satisfying. It was filling, but it didn't leave us feeling as heavy as a traditional macaroni and cheese. Of course if you've got a gluten allergy or aversion, this is the macaroni and cheese on this list for you. We would definitely recommend it to anyone who is looking for a somewhat lighter alternative to traditional mac and cheese... although at the end of the day, you're still indulging.
VIII. Smoked Salmon Mac & Cheese
Trying Beecher's Smoked Salmon Mac & Cheese was a treat, and we were told by the Beecher's employees at Pike Place Market that this was a market exclusive. Enjoying this one on Seattle's waterfront definitely added to the experience, but we won't include that bonus experience in this review.
As we experienced with every other macaroni and cheese on this list, the pasta for this taste test was perfectly cooked and tender. The pasta was coated in Beecher's signature cheese sauce, acting as a canvas for the star of the show — the tender and smoky salmon.
They don't hold back on the quantity or quality of salmon, with each forkful containing a big chunk of seafood. The smokiness, balanced and not overpowering, really enhances the macaroni and cheese.
IX. Conclusion
After trying Beecher's seven different macaroni and cheese varieties, we can say with confidence that we are... full. We can also say with confidence that, if you are looking for a delicious and creamy macaroni and cheese, we would definitely recommend any of the above offerings from Beecher's.
While there wasn't a single flavor we didn't like, it was the Smoked Flagship Mac & Cheese that rose to the top of our list as a clear favorite. It was the subtle smokiness that really took this dish to the top of our list, perfectly balanced and complementing the creamy cheese sauce.
Following the Smoked Flagship Mac & Cheese, we also loved the unique Mariachi Mac & Cheese, as well as the Pike Place Market exclusive Smoked Salmon Mac & Cheese. And finally, you can't go wrong with the "World's Best" Mac & Cheese, which lives up to its name.
X. Where to Find
Beecher's Mac & Cheese is available frozen at retailers nationwide. To find a retailer near you, use Beecher's store locator page on their website.
You can find hot, ready to eat Beecher's macaroni and cheese at their flagship store in Pike Place Market (including their exclusive and limited edition flavors at this location), or at their cafes in Bellevue, Paine Field Airport, or airport cafes nationwide.