Description

Heavenly Steak & Pepper Jack Queso Mac is a comforting and flavorful one-pot dish featuring tender diced steak, creamy pepper jack cheese sauce, and perfectly cooked elbow macaroni. Enhanced with sautéed bell peppers and onions, and finished with fresh green onions, this recipe delivers melty, cheesy goodness with a spicy kick, perfect for cozy nights in.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

1 lb Elbow Macaroni

Protein

1 lb Beef Steak, diced (preferably sirloin or ribeye)

Vegetables

1 cup Bell Peppers, diced (mix of red and green)
1 cup Onion, diced
Chopped Green Onions (for garnish)

Dairy & Cheese

2 cups Pepper Jack Cheese, shredded
1 cup Whole Milk

Pantry & Spices

1 tbsp Olive Oil
1 tsp Garlic Powder
1 tsp Onion Powder
Salt and Pepper (to taste)

Instructions

Preparation: Gather and prep all ingredients, including dicing the steak, bell peppers, and onions.
Cook Pasta: In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add elbow macaroni and cook until al dente, about 7-8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
Cook Steak: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced steak, season with salt and pepper, and cook until browned and cooked through, roughly 5-7 minutes. Remove steak from skillet and set aside.
Sauté Vegetables: In the same skillet, add diced bell peppers and onions. Sauté until softened, about 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally for even cooking.
Make Cheese Sauce: Reduce heat to medium-low, pour in whole milk, then gradually add garlic powder, onion powder, and shredded pepper jack cheese. Stir continuously until the cheese melts and the sauce is smooth, about 2 minutes.
Combine Ingredients: Gently fold the cooked steak and elbow macaroni into the cheese sauce until everything is well-coated and evenly heated through.
Serve: Ladle the mac and cheese onto plates or bowls, garnish with chopped green onions, and enjoy while hot for a comforting meal.

Notes

Use tender steak cuts such as sirloin or ribeye for the best texture and flavor.
You can substitute the elbow macaroni with other pasta shapes like shells or penne if preferred.
For a dairy-free option, substitute whole milk with almond milk or another non-dairy alternative.
Fresh minced garlic can be used instead of garlic powder for a stronger garlic flavor.
Chopped green onions are optional but highly recommended for added color and freshness.
Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste before serving.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Steak mac and cheese, Pepper jack queso mac, creamy mac and cheese, cheesy steak pasta, easy stovetop mac and cheese