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Steak Mac and Cheese

Featured in: Satisfying Hearty Mains

Seasoned grilled steak gets sliced thin and mixed into homemade mac and cheese with sharp cheddar, mozzarella, and bacon. Baked until golden for the ultimate comfort food mashup.

Tags: #beef #bacon #pasta #cheese

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Clare Greco
Updated on Sat, 06 Sep 2025 23:45:12 GMT
Steak Mac and Cheese
Steak Mac and Cheese | recipesbyclare.com
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Steak Mac and Cheese layers four cups of cooked elbows with cowboy-butter-seasoned cheese sauce, thin steak slices, bacon bits, and a baked golden top. The steaks and sauce begin on the grill before the assembled cast-iron skillet finishes in a 400°F oven.

The recipe serves 4 in 80 minutes, including 20 minutes of preparation and 60 minutes of cooking. Freshly shredded cheddar and mozzarella melt more smoothly than pre-shredded cheese.

Steak Mac and Cheese Ingredients

Two steaks, cowboy butter rub, canola oil, parsley, cooked elbows, cheddar, mozzarella, milk, bacon, flour, butter, and Dijon
Two steaks, cowboy butter rub, canola oil, parsley, cooked elbows, cheddar, mozzarella, milk, bacon, flour, butter, and Dijon | Recipes by Clare
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For the steak, use 2 favorite steaks such as ribeye or strip, 3 tablespoons cowboy butter rub, canola oil for coating, and chopped parsley. The pasta base needs 4 cups elbow macaroni cooked according to its package, 1½ cups freshly shredded sharp cheddar, 1½ cups freshly shredded mozzarella, 1½ cups whole milk, and ½ cup bacon bits.

The cheese sauce also uses ½ cup all-purpose flour, 2½ tablespoons unsalted butter, 1½ tablespoons cowboy butter rub, and 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard.

If you enjoy this recipe, you may also like Garlic Herb Chicken Tortellini.

How to Make Steak Mac and Cheese

Four stages showing two steaks grilled, roux and milk whisked, cheeses melted with macaroni, and steak mac baked golden
Four stages showing two steaks grilled, roux and milk whisked, cheeses melted with macaroni, and steak mac baked golden | Recipes by Clare
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  1. Coat both steaks with canola oil and 3 tablespoons rub. Rest at room temperature while the grill heats to about 400°F.
  2. Grill 2 to 3 minutes per side to 120°F for medium-rare. Rest, then slice very thin.
  3. In cast iron, stir butter and flour for 1 to 2 minutes into a paste; add 1½ tablespoons rub.
  4. Whisk in about three-quarters of the milk gradually, letting it thicken. Add Dijon, then melt in cheddar and mozzarella. Use remaining milk as needed.
  5. Combine the 4 cups cooked macaroni with two-thirds of the sauce in another cast-iron skillet.
  6. Top with steak, bacon bits, extra cheese, and remaining sauce. Bake at 400°F for 10 minutes, garnish with parsley, and serve.

Oil and Season Two Steaks

Grill at High Heat

Rest and Slice Very Thin

Cook the Butter-Flour Paste

Whisk in Whole Milk

Melt Cheddar and Mozzarella

Assemble With Two-Thirds Sauce

Balance the Topping Across Four Servings

Golden cast-iron mac and cheese topped with thin steak and bacon
Golden cast-iron mac and cheese topped with thin steak and bacon | recipesbyclare.com
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Bake Ten Minutes at Four Hundred

Storage and Reheating

Conclusion

Oil and season 2 steaks with 3 tablespoons rub, grill around 400°F for 2 to 3 minutes per side to 120°F medium-rare, rest, and slice. Cook butter and flour 1 to 2 minutes, add 1½ tablespoons rub, gradually whisk in milk, Dijon, cheddar, and mozzarella. Mix 4 cups cooked elbows with two-thirds sauce, top with steak, bacon, cheese, and remaining sauce, then bake 10 minutes at 400°F.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Which steaks work well?

Use 2 favorite steaks; ribeye or strip steaks are suggested.

→ What temperature is given for medium-rare steak?

The recipe directs removing the steaks at 120°F, followed by a short rest.

→ How much sauce goes into the macaroni first?

Combine the cooked macaroni with two-thirds of the cheese sauce.

→ How long does the assembled skillet bake?

Bake for 10 minutes at 400°F.

4.80 from 95 votes

Steak Mac and Cheese

Preparation Time:
20 Minutes
Cook Time:
60 Minutes
Total Cooking Time:
80 Minutes
Number of Servings:
4
Steak Mac and Cheese
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Grilled steak slices layered into rich, creamy mac and cheese with bacon bits and a golden baked crust.

Ingredients You'll Need

  • Steak

  • Mac and Cheese Base

  • Cheese Sauce

How to Make It

1.

1. Prepare and Season Steaks: Rub the steaks all over with canola oil, then coat generously with the cowboy butter rub seasoning. Let them sit at room temperature while the grill heats up.

2.

2. Heat the Grill: Fire up your grill to high heat, around 400°F. Make sure the grates are clean and ready for serious searing action.

3.

3. Grill the Steaks: Place the seasoned steaks on the hot grill and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until they reach an internal temperature of 120°F for medium-rare. Remove from grill and let rest for a few minutes.

4.

4. Slice the Steak: Once rested, slice the steaks very thin into bite-sized pieces. Set aside and keep warm while you work on the mac and cheese.

5.

5. Start the Cheese Sauce: Place a cast iron skillet on the grill. Add butter and flour, stirring constantly for 1-2 minutes until they form a paste. Mix in the cowboy butter rub seasoning.

6.

6. Build the Sauce: Slowly whisk in about three-quarters of the milk in small batches, stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Let the mixture thicken between each addition.

7.

7. Finish the Sauce: Stir in the Dijon mustard, then gradually add all the shredded cheeses, stirring until completely melted and smooth. Thin with remaining milk as needed to get the perfect consistency.

8.

8. Assemble the Dish: In another cast iron skillet, combine the cooked macaroni with two-thirds of the cheese sauce. Top with the sliced steak, bacon bits, extra shredded cheese, and the remaining sauce.

9.

9. Bake and Serve: Transfer the skillet to a 400°F oven and bake for 10 minutes until you get a beautiful golden crust on top. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve immediately.

Extra Information

  1. This recipe combines two comfort food classics into one incredible dish that's perfect for special occasions.
  2. The cowboy butter rub adds a bold, savory flavor that complements both the steak and the cheese sauce.
  3. Using freshly shredded cheese instead of pre-shredded makes a huge difference in how smooth your sauce turns out.
  4. Slicing the steak thin ensures it distributes evenly throughout the mac and cheese for the perfect bite every time.

Essential Tools

  • Outdoor grill
  • Two cast iron skillets
  • Large pot for cooking pasta
  • Wire whisk
  • Sharp knife for slicing steak
  • Meat thermometer

Allergy Warnings

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy (milk, cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, butter)
  • Contains gluten (flour, pasta)
  • May contain soy (depending on seasoning blend)

Nutrition Details (Per Portion)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 1415
  • Total Fat: 61 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 143 g
  • Protein: 76 g