Description
A fun twist on classic mac and cheese, combining tender steak, spicy pepper jack cheese, and colorful peppers for a comforting dish.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces elbow macaroni
- 1 pound beef steak (diced, choose a tender cut like sirloin or ribeye)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup diced bell peppers (red, green, or a mix for color)
- 1 cup diced onion
- 2 cups pepper jack cheese (shredded)
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- Chopped green onions (for garnish)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add the elbow macaroni and cook according to package instructions until al dente, typically about 7-8 minutes.
- Drain and set aside.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the diced steak, seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Cook, stirring occasionally, until the steak is browned on all sides and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
- Remove the steak from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the diced bell peppers and onions.
- Sauté until softened and fragrant, about 4-5 minutes.
- Reduce heat to medium-low.
- Add the whole milk to the skillet with vegetables.
- Stir in the garlic powder, onion powder, and shredded pepper jack cheese gradually.
- Stir constantly until the cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Season with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Add the cooked steak and elbow macaroni to the skillet with the cheese sauce.
- Gently fold everything together until the pasta is well coated and the steak and veggies are evenly distributed.
- Transfer the mac to serving bowls and sprinkle chopped green onions over the top for a fresh, vibrant finish.
- Serve hot and enjoy immediately.
Notes
To make it healthier, use whole grain elbow macaroni or swap out the beef for ground turkey or chicken. You can also add more vegetables like spinach or zucchini.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: mac and cheese, steak, pepper jack, comfort food, easy dinner