Steak Mac and Cheese

My kids have always been mac and cheese fanatics, but my husband keeps asking why we can't have steak for dinner more often. One Saturday afternoon while he was grilling, I had this crazy idea to just combine the two things everyone wanted. Turns out, smoky grilled steak mixed into creamy, cheesy pasta is one of those combinations that makes you wonder why nobody thought of it sooner. Last month when my sister's family came for dinner, her husband kept going back for thirds. He's one of those guys who usually just picks at food and fills up on bread, so I knew I had something special when he cleaned his plate multiple times. My sister texted me the next week asking for the recipe because he wouldn't stop talking about it.

What Goes Into It

• Good steaks: I usually grab whatever's on sale that looks decent, ribeye or strip steaks work great
• Cowboy butter seasoning: You can find this at most stores now, or just mix up your own with garlic, herbs, and spices
• Sharp cheddar: Don't go cheap here, the flavor really comes through in the final dish
• Mozzarella cheese: This is what gives you those amazing cheese pulls when you serve it
• Regular elbow macaroni: Sometimes the classic shape really is the best choice
• Real bacon bits: Not the fake crunchy ones, get actual pieces of cooked bacon
• Whole milk: You need the fat content for a proper cheese sauce

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How I Put It Together

Season and grill the steaks:

Oil them up and coat with seasoning, then grill on high heat for just a few minutes per side. You want them less done than usual since they'll cook more in the oven.

Let them rest and slice:

Give the steaks a few minutes to settle, then cut them into thin, bite-sized pieces. Keep them warm while you work on everything else.

Make the cheese sauce:

Right on the grill, melt butter with flour in a skillet until it makes a thick paste. Slowly whisk in milk until it's smooth and creamy.

Add the cheese:

Stir in the mustard first, then gradually add both cheeses until everything melts together perfectly. Adjust thickness with more milk if needed.

Combine everything:

Mix the cooked pasta with most of the cheese sauce in an oven-safe skillet. Top with steak pieces, bacon bits, and more cheese.

Finish in the oven:

Bake until the top gets golden and bubbly, about 10 minutes. Sprinkle with parsley before serving.

I definitely messed this up the first couple times I tried it. Once I overcooked the steaks and they got tough, another time I added the cheese too fast and ended up with a stringy mess instead of smooth sauce. Now I know to take my time with each step and everything comes together beautifully.

What to Serve Alongside

This is pretty rich and filling on its own. I sometimes make a simple green salad to go with it, mainly just to have something fresh and light to balance out all that cheese and meat. Garlic bread is nice too, though you definitely don't need it.

Ways to Change It Up

Different seasonings work great on the steak, try Montreal seasoning or just salt and pepper if you want simpler flavors. You could swap in different cheeses too, like adding some pepper jack for heat or using smoked cheddar for extra flavor depth.

Storage and Reheating

Keeps in the fridge for a few days and actually reheats pretty well. Add a splash of milk when warming it up to bring back that creamy texture. The steak gets a little more cooked during reheating, but it's still really good.

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This has become our go-to recipe when we want something that feels indulgent but doesn't require fancy ingredients or complicated techniques. There's something really satisfying about how all these simple comfort food elements come together into something that's somehow better than any of them would be on their own. Every time I make it, someone at the table mentions how this should definitely go into regular rotation.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What cut of steak works best for this recipe?

Ribeye, New York strip, or sirloin work great. Choose a tender cut that grills well and slices easily when cooked.

→ Can I make this without a grill?

Yes, you can cook the steak in a cast iron pan on the stovetop over medium-high heat. You'll still get great flavor and searing.

→ What is cowboy butter rub?

It's a seasoning blend with herbs, spices, and buttery flavor. You can find it at most stores or make your own with garlic powder, herbs, and spices.

→ Can I prep parts of this ahead of time?

You can cook the pasta and make the cheese sauce earlier in the day. Just reheat gently and assemble when ready to bake.

→ How do I prevent the cheese sauce from getting lumpy?

Add the milk slowly while whisking constantly, and use freshly shredded cheese rather than pre-shredded for the smoothest results.