Description
This Steak Mac and Cheese recipe combines tender, thinly sliced grilled steak with creamy, cheesy macaroni baked to perfection with a golden crust. It’s a comforting and hearty dish perfect for dinner, featuring bold flavors from a cowboy butter rub and smoky bacon bits.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Steak
- 2 Favorite steaks
- 3 tbsp cowboy butter rub
- Canola oil as needed
- Chopped parsley for garnish
Mac & Cheese
- 4 cups macaroni elbows, cooked
- 1.5 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1.5 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1.5 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup bacon bits
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2.5 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1.5 tbsp cowboy butter rub
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
Instructions
- Prepare Steak: Slather your steaks with canola oil and generously season both sides with cowboy butter rub. Preheat your grill to high heat (400F). Place the steaks on the grill and cook for 3 minutes per side until they reach an internal temperature of 120F for medium-rare. Remove from grill and let rest for a few minutes to retain juices. Then slice the steak thinly into bite-sized pieces and keep warm.
- Make Cheese Sauce: Place a skillet on the grill or stovetop and melt the unsalted butter. Stir in the cowboy butter rub and cook for 1-2 minutes until it forms a paste. Gradually whisk in about 75% of the whole milk in batches, stirring constantly to prevent lumps, until the mixture thickens into a creamy sauce.
- Finish Cheese Sauce: Stir in the Dijon mustard for a subtle tang. Add the shredded sharp cheddar and mozzarella cheeses gradually, stirring continuously until fully melted and smooth. Thin the sauce with the remaining milk to reach desired consistency.
- Combine Macaroni and Sauce: In another skillet, combine the cooked macaroni with two-thirds of the cheese sauce. Mix thoroughly to coat the pasta evenly.
- Assemble Dish: Spread the macaroni and cheese mixture in the skillet or oven-safe dish. Top with the sliced steak pieces and sprinkle with bacon bits. Smother with the remaining shredded cheese and cheese sauce to cover evenly.
- Bake: Place the assembled dish in a preheated oven at 400F for 10 minutes to develop a flavorful golden crust on top.
- Serve: Remove from oven and garnish with chopped parsley. Serve immediately and enjoy this indulgent steak mac and cheese.
Notes
- Steaks can be substituted with ribeye or sirloin according to preference.
- Adjust the cooking time for steak to desired doneness if preferred more or less cooked.
- Use whole milk for best creaminess, but 2% can be substituted for a lighter option.
- Bacon bits add smokiness and texture but can be omitted for a vegetarian version by removing steak and bacon bits and increasing cheese.
- Letting the steak rest before slicing ensures juicier meat.
- If a crustier top is desired, broil for 2-3 minutes at the end of baking but watch closely to avoid burning.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 780 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 920 mg
- Fat: 45 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg
