Description
A delicious combination of tender steak bites served with creamy, cheesy macaroni.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 NY Strip steaks, cut into ¼–½ inch cubes
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp Tony’s Lite Creole Seasoning
- 1–2 tbsp avocado oil (as a binder)
- 16 oz pasta (elbow, cavatappi, or shells)
- Kosher salt (for boiling water)
- ⅔ stick unsalted butter (about 5 tbsp)
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
- 3–4 cups lukewarm whole milk
- 2 slices pepper jack cheese
- 8 oz each: shredded Gouda, Gruyère, sharp cheddar, mozzarella
- 1½ cups reserved shredded cheese mixture (for topping)
Instructions
- In a bowl, toss the bite-sized steak cubes with smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and Creole seasoning. Drizzle with avocado oil and mix to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate while preparing the mac.
- Bring salted water to a boil and cook pasta to al dente (about 10–12 minutes); drain and set aside.
- In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Whisk in flour to create a roux; cook for 1–2 minutes. Stir in a pinch of the steak seasoning blend, then slowly whisk in lukewarm milk until smooth. Stir in pepper jack cheese until melted, followed by the shredded cheeses until the sauce is velvety. Reserve 1½ cups of sauce for topping.
- Combine cooked pasta with the cheese sauce. Optionally, mix in an extra ⅔ cup of shredded cheese. Divide into oven-safe bowls or a baking dish, and pour the reserved sauce over the top.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake for 20–25 minutes until bubbling and golden. Broil for 3–5 minutes for a crispy top.
- Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add steak bites in a single layer and sear for 2–3 minutes per side until browned and cooked to desired doneness.
Notes
- For extra flavor, add seasonings to the cheese sauce.
- Adjust the cooking time for the steak bites according to desired doneness.
- Broiling time may vary, keep an eye on the mac n cheese during this step.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking and Searing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: Steak Bites, Mac N Cheese, Comfort Food, Recipe