Welsh Rarebit Is The Quick British Meal You Can Make In Under 20 Minutes

Whether you need a simple-yet-impressive appetizer for a dinner party or are craving comfort food for dinner, Welsh rarebit offers a quick, simple, and delicious solution. Though its origins can only be dubiously traced to Wales — indeed, the term may have been intended as an insult – this savory, deeply flavorful dish first held the name "Welsh rabbit" before eventually the moniker devolved into "Welsh rarebit," for ultimately mysterious reasons. It could have been called that in reference to its meat-less decadence, a classic feature at the tables of early modern working-class families for when both money and wild game were scarce. Or, it could have just been the result of continued poor pronunciation.  

Though British food has something of a reputation for being boring and tasteless — the craveability of a sheet pan full English breakfast notwithstanding — Welsh rarebit effortlessly builds complex flavors in just about 15 to 20 minutes by draping thick, buttery toasted bread in a rich, earthy, slightly tangy beer-based cheese sauce similar to a beer mornay you might use to elevate mac 'n cheese. Each ingredient has its own distinct taste and aroma, which only gets deepened and intensified as they're blended and bloomed over low heat.

Though there are dozens of recipes for Welsh rarebit cheese sauce, nearly all of them call for sharp Welsh cheddar, dark ale or stout, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and the obligatory flour and butter to thicken everything up. This golden deliciousness is then layered over a thick slab of toast and broiled until the sauce concentrates and browns into a silky layer of cheesy goodness that sinks slightly into the bread. It's best consumed with a knife and fork alongside a fresh green salad to cut through the richness.

One of the best things about making Welsh rarebit is how affordable and accessible it is. Unlike the banned ingredient in a full English breakfast, everything you need to make it is 100% legal and inexpensive in the U.S., not to mention readily available in most grocery stores. Since it comes together so quickly, it's also the ultimate main dish for a weekday work-from-home lunch, fast dinner after a long day, or a tasty late-night accompaniment to wine and movie nights with friends.

Possibly the only downside to this recipe is the inclusion of beer or ale, something you may not want to include in a meal that includes little ones. Fortunately, you can still make a fairly accurate version of this recipe without the alcohol; you'll just have to replace it with another liquid. Some suggestions include whole milk for a richer sauce, or apple juice for a tangy flavor to compliment the cheese. You may also want to add a few more dashes of Worcestershire or mustard to compensate for the loss of the beer's sharpness.

Though Welsh rarebit is perfect on its own, you can also serve it with various accompaniments to suit your palate or create a heartier bite. Bacon and over easy eggs turn this tasty treat into a protein-packed breakfast, especially if you opt for the non-alcoholic version. Roasted mushrooms and leeks give this dish a meaty feel, along with an additional balance of earthy tanginess.