Description

This Heavenly Steak & Pepper Jack Queso Mac is a comforting and indulgent dish perfect for cozy nights. Featuring tender diced steak, creamy pepper jack cheese sauce, tender elbow macaroni, and vibrant bell peppers and onions, this mac and cheese variation balances rich flavors with a slight kick from the cheese. A quick stovetop recipe that combines juicy steak and a luscious queso sauce for a hearty, satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

1 lb Elbow Macaroni

Steak and Vegetables

1 lb Beef Steak, diced (sirloin or ribeye recommended)
1 tbsp Olive Oil
1 cup Bell Peppers, diced (red and green mix)
1 cup Onion, diced

Cheese Sauce

2 cups Pepper Jack Cheese, shredded
1 cup Whole Milk
1 tsp Garlic Powder
1 tsp Onion Powder
Salt and Pepper to taste

Garnish

Chopped Green Onions (optional)

Instructions

Preparation: Gather and prepare all ingredients by dicing the steak, bell peppers, and onions. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for cooking the macaroni.
Cook Macaroni: Add the elbow macaroni to the boiling water and cook until al dente, approximately 7-8 minutes. Drain the pasta thoroughly and set aside.
Cook Steak: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced steak seasoned with salt and pepper. Cook the steak for about 5-7 minutes until browned on all sides and fully cooked. Remove the steak from the skillet and set aside.
Sauté Vegetables: In the same skillet, add the diced bell peppers and onions. Sauté for 4-5 minutes until softened, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking.
Make Cheese Sauce: Reduce heat to medium-low and pour in the whole milk. Gradually add garlic powder, onion powder, and shredded pepper jack cheese while stirring continuously. Continue stirring until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce has a smooth consistency, about 2 minutes.
Combine Ingredients: Gently fold the cooked steak and drained macaroni into the cheese sauce, mixing until all components are evenly coated and heated through.
Serve and Garnish: Serve the mac and cheese hot, garnished with chopped green onions for a fresh, bright finish.

Notes

For a different pasta shape, substitute elbow macaroni with shells or penne.
Use sirloin or ribeye steak for the best tenderness and flavor.
Shallots can replace onions if you prefer a milder onion flavor.
Non-dairy milk alternatives such as almond milk can be used instead of whole milk.
Adjust seasoning by adding more salt, pepper, or garlic powder to taste.
Chopped green onions are optional but recommended for added freshness and color.

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

Keywords: steak mac and cheese, pepper jack queso mac, creamy steak mac, easy stovetop mac and cheese, comforting dinner recipe, cheesy mac and steak