Description
A comforting dish featuring juicy garlic steak bites paired with creamy mac & cheese, perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds sirloin steak (cubed)
- 2 tbsp olive oil (for searing)
- 1/2 cluster garlic (minced)
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 cups elbow macaroni (or pasta of choice)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tbsp butter (for sauce)
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk (whole or 2%)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp ground mustard (optional)
- 1/4 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
Instructions
- Begin by cooking the elbow macaroni based on package instructions.
- In a large mixing bowl, toss the cubed steak with the salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic powder.
- Heat the olive oil in a 12-inch cast iron skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the seasoned steak in a single layer, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan.
- Sear each side for 2-3 minutes until nicely browned and cooked to your desired doneness.
- Remove the steak from the pan and set aside.
- Reduce the heat to medium and melt the butter in the same pan.
- Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, stirring until fragrant, which should take about a minute.
- Toss the seared steak back into the skillet, coating it well with the garlic butter sauce.
- In a separate large skillet, melt additional butter over medium heat.
- Whisk in the flour and cook for about a minute, stirring continuously to avoid lumps.
- Add the milk slowly, whisking until smooth, and cook for 2-3 minutes until thickened.
- Reduce the heat to low and stir in the cheddar and mozzarella cheese, along with salt, black pepper, ground mustard, and smoked paprika.
- Mix continuously until the cheeses melt into a creamy sauce.
- Add your cooked pasta to the cheese sauce, ensuring every piece is well coated.
- Divide the mac & cheese into meal prep containers, topping each portion with garlic steak bites.
Notes
Feel free to prepare some elements ahead of time for convenience. For added nutrition, you can mix in vegetables like peas or spinach into the mac & cheese.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: steak bites, mac and cheese, garlic steak, comfort food, easy recipe
