Description
A hearty and flavorful Steak Mac and Cheese combining juicy grilled steak slices with creamy, cheesy macaroni, topped with crispy bacon bits and baked to a golden crust. Perfect comfort food for a satisfying dinner.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Steak
- 2 steak cuts (your favorite type)
- 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: Coat the steaks with canola oil and generously season with cowboy butter rub. Preheat the grill to high heat (around 400F). Place the steaks on the grill and cook for 3 minutes per side until the internal temperature reaches 120F for medium rare. Remove from grill and let rest for several minutes. Slice thinly into bite-size pieces, keep warm.
- Make Cheese Sauce: Place a skillet over the grill and melt the unsalted butter. Stir in the cowboy butter rub to form a paste. Gradually whisk in 75% of the whole milk in batches, allowing the sauce to thicken as you stir. Add Dijon mustard and fully incorporate. Stir in the shredded sharp cheddar and mozzarella cheese until smooth and melted. Thin sauce with the remaining milk as needed.
- Combine Mac and Cheese: In another skillet, add the cooked macaroni and two-thirds of the cheese sauce mixing until pasta is well coated. Layer the sliced steak on top followed by bacon bits. Pour remaining cheese sauce and sprinkle additional shredded cheese over everything to smother the top.
- Bake for Crust: Transfer the skillet or an oven-safe dish to a preheated oven at 400F. Bake for 10 minutes until the top is bubbly and develops a golden crust.
- Serve: Remove from oven, garnish with chopped parsley, and serve immediately for a delicious, comforting meal.
Notes
- Use medium-rare steak for best tenderness and flavor.
- Cook macaroni al dente before mixing to prevent overcooking during baking.
- If you prefer a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the cheese sauce.
- Substitute bacon bits with cooked pancetta or omit for a vegetarian version (skip steak and bacon).
- Let steak rest after grilling to retain juices and enhance tenderness.
- Leftovers reheat well in the oven or microwave, add a splash of milk if sauce thickens too much.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 850 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 55 g
- Saturated Fat: 30 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 45 g
- Cholesterol: 160 mg
