Description
Heavenly Steak & Pepper Jack Queso Mac is a comforting and flavorful macaroni dish featuring tender diced steak, sautéed bell peppers and onions, all enveloped in a creamy, spicy pepper jack cheese sauce. This recipe is perfect for cozy nights when you crave a hearty, cheesy meal with a delightful kick of flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 lb Elbow Macaroni
Protein
- 1 lb Beef Steak, diced (sirloin or ribeye preferred)
Vegetables
- 1 cup Bell Peppers, diced (mix of red and green)
- 1 cup Onion, diced
- Chopped Green Onions (for garnish)
Dairy & Seasonings
- 2 cups Pepper Jack Cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Whole Milk
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1 tsp Onion Powder
- Salt and Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preparation: Begin by gathering all your ingredients and prepping the vegetables and steak by dicing them into bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking later.
- Cook pasta: In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add elbow macaroni and cook until al dente, approximately 7 to 8 minutes. Once done, drain the pasta and set aside in a warm place.
- Cook steak: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced beef steak, seasoning with salt and pepper. Cook the steak for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through. Remove the steak from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté vegetables: In the same skillet, add the diced bell peppers and onions. Sauté for 4 to 5 minutes over medium-high heat until the vegetables are softened but still vibrant, stirring occasionally for even cooking.
- Make cheese sauce: Lower the heat to medium-low in the skillet with the sautéed vegetables. Pour in the whole milk, then gradually add garlic powder, onion powder, and shredded pepper jack cheese. Stir continuously for about 2 to 3 minutes until the cheese fully melts and produces a smooth, creamy sauce.
- Combine everything: Gently fold the cooked steak and the drained elbow macaroni into the cheese sauce. Mix thoroughly until everything is evenly coated and heated through, which should take a minute or two.
- Serve: Spoon the mac and cheese onto serving plates or bowls. Garnish generously with chopped green onions to add a fresh, bright note. Serve immediately while hot and enjoy your cozy, flavorful meal.
Notes
- You can swap elbow macaroni with shells or penne if you prefer a different pasta shape.
- For a lighter dish, substitute olive oil with vegetable oil or use almond milk instead of whole milk to make it dairy-free.
- Fresh minced garlic can replace garlic powder for a stronger garlic flavor.
- Use tender steak cuts like sirloin or ribeye for the best texture and taste.
- Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper according to your taste preferences.
- Chopped green onions add freshness but can be omitted if desired.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: steak mac and cheese, pepper jack queso mac, creamy steak pasta, cheesy macaroni recipe, comfort food, cozy dinner
