Steak and Cheddar Mac and Cheese Recipe - Pinch of Yum
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Steak and Cheddar Mac and Cheese

20 reviews / 4.9 average
Steak and Cheddar Mac and Cheese in a dutch oven with a wooden spoon.

Today’s post is sponsored by our friends at Barefoot Wine!

How much do I love Mac and Cheese? It’s like, well, just, I don’t even really know how to talk about it, which, if you’ve been reading this blog for a while, is saying something. LOUD AND CLEAR.

But that’s the level I’ve reached with my love for the pot-o-golden-cheesy-deliciousness.

Related to the Mac and Cheese question: how much do I love Barefoot Wine? A lot.

And so when I need to make myself the opportunity to eat Macaroni and Cheese and still feel grown-up-ish with a glass of red wine, I create this combination:

  • Tangy, Sharp Cheddar
  • Creamy Garlic and Herb Sauce
  • Bites of Seared Steak in Browned Butter
  • Chewy Macaroni
  • Velvety, Rich Malbec

That is where it’s at right there, my friends.

Noodles in a strainer.
Steak in a bowl.
Creamy sauce on steak and noodles.

So in a weird and exciting turn of events, I went to a wedding this weekend and I was so thrilled to see bottles of Barefoot on each of the tables. WHAT! So perfect since I am personally a big fan of Barefoot and have been working on a few recipes to complement their wines. Well done, bride and groom! Well done.

I will tell you this, though, that one critical detail that I’d rather just forget is that the sweet and beautiful bride was actually a little girl (well, okay, fine, I guess she’s an adult now) that I used to babysit. As in BABYsit.

Oh my gosh, life, just stop it. How does something like this even happen to a person who is not even 30 yet?

NOT OKAY. Pass the Malbec pleeeez.

Red wine in a glass.
Cork from a wine glass.

You guys, I promise I’m not going to show up in this post and all of a sudden pretend to be a wine connoisseur – I’m totally not. Remember when I couldn’t remember how to say sommelier to the fancy people in Aspen? Yeah, um, that’s more my style.

I AM, however, totally a person who likes to cook with wine and/or have a glass of wine with dinner, and also a person who does not like to break the bank while shopping for wine. And wait one more thing – a person who likes wine to actually taste good. Is this asking too much? Honestly.

This is why I’m a huge fan of Barefoot – it’s affordable, there’s a manageable number of choices, and it really tastes good.

Win!

The creamy, tangy cheddar with the steak bites makes this Steak Mac and Cheese sturdy and bold enough to stand up to the smooth, velvety dreaminess of the Malbec. For me, it was a match made in heaven.

I may or may not have eaten a plate full of this Steak Mac and Cheese with my glass of Malbec all while watching the Bachelorette with Sage the other night.

And I’m not even going to lie – somehow it was just the right fit. ♡

Steak and Cheddar Mac and Cheese in a red dutch oven with a spoon.
Steak and Cheddar Mac and Cheese with a wooden spoon.
Steak and Cheddar Mac and Cheese on a white plate with a fork.
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Steak and Cheddar Mac and Cheese in a pot with a spoon.

Steak and Cheddar Mac and Cheese


Description

This Steak and Cheddar Mac and Cheese is the ultimate comfort food – and it’s the perfect match for a glass of red wine. Enjoy!


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 14 ounces whole wheat elbow macaroni (or other pasta)
  • 6 tablespoons butter, divided
  • 16 ounces sirloin steak, cut into small pieces
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, minced
  • 4 tablespoons flour (can use whole wheat)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups milk
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 3/4 cup water or broth (only if needed)
  • a bottle or two of Barefoot Malbec for serving

Instructions

  1. Pasta: Cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside (toss with oil to prevent sticking).
  2. Steak: Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large, sturdy skillet over medium low heat. Continue to heat the butter until it’s barely browned (this just gives it more flavor). Turn the heat up to medium high and add the steak pieces – do not stir or shake for 30-45 seconds. Flip the steak pieces and cook for another minute or two, until the steak is done to your liking. Remove from heat and keep warm.
  3. Sauce: Melt the remaining butter over medium heat. Add the garlic and parsley – saute for about a minute, being careful not to burn or brown the garlic. Add the flour and salt – saute for another minute or two. Add the milk slowly, whisking to incorporate with the flour/butter mixture. Simmer for 10-15 minutes until the sauce is bubbling and has thickened slightly. Add the cheese and stir until melted.
  4. Assembly: Stir the pasta together with the cheese sauce and add the steak. Stir in extra water or broth if the consistency needs a little thinning out. Season with more salt and pepper, or if you’re really awesome, drizzle truffle oil over the whole thing. OMG I did that. Serve with a glass of rich, velvety Barefoot Malbec!
  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 30 mins
  • Category: Dinner
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: mac and cheese, steak mac and cheese, steak recipe

This recipe is brought to you by Pinch of Yum + Barefoot Wine! Go get some Malbec right now please – this epic combo awaits.

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120 Comments

  1. Pinch of Yum Logo

    Oh my gosh Lindsay! This Mac & Cheese (it seems way too sophisticated to call that) is incredible, I WILL be making this and my husband is going to love it! Totally appropriate for pairing with a nice wine (I like Barefoot, too). Have a great weekend! 🙂

  2. Pinch of Yum Logo

    This looks yummy! I can totally go for a bowl of this Mac n’ Cheese and a glass of wine right now.

    Steak Mac n’ Cheese, glass of wine + watching The Bachelorette sounds like the perfect night to me!

  3. Pinch of Yum Logo

    I have to say this looks amazing. My buddy used to make something similar but with hamburger instead of steak. It was one of my favorite meals in college. I don’t know why but I never even thought to try it with steak! I’ve also never had mac and cheese with wine. However, there is always a first for everything. Thanks for another great post Lindsay! Keep the recipes coming!

  4. Pinch of Yum Logo

    Love this wine!!!
    And absolutely love Mac and Cheese too. Crazy awesome when two favourite things come together in the same post 😉
    Thanks for sharing this!

  5. Pinch of Yum Logo

    This looks not one bit healthy but every bit like a hug to the belly. So comfy. My classroom is super freezing right now and this looks like it would be so so perfect.

  6. Pinch of Yum Logo

    Growing up in Germany, I never thought much of mac and cheese. It was always what you got in a box when your parents were out of town and you needed something easy to make. I never thought of it as a delicious dish made for queens! I absolutely love it! Can’t wait to make it this weekend!

  7. Pinch of Yum Logo

    This mac and cheese is so fancy!! My husband would just die if I made this for him. He is a child at heart and can’t get enough mac and cheese in his life. I will be adding this to next weeks meal plan.

  8. Pinch of Yum Logo

    Brilliant. That is why I come here. You do the food thinking for me. That way I can focus on all the other stuff I need to do. Thank you!

    I taught Sunday School for many years at my church (before I was married or had kids) Years later I moved on to other ministries. I can remember the first “child” I saw YEARS later and she was all grown up……whhhaaaat? How did she do that when I didn’t think that much time had gone by (in other words: Have I aged that much too??)

    All I have to say is “Get used to it”. Sorry, but it will keep happening.

  9. Pinch of Yum Logo

    First of all, where did you get that wooden spoon? I love the color of it! Also, I have never tried Malbec, but am so excited to try it after reading your post 🙂

    1. Pinch of Yum Logo

      YES! Where did you get that spoon? LOVE!!

      This mac and cheese recipe looks so decadent! I want to make and eat it right now! Thanks for all the great recipes, I look forward to your email popping up in my inbox and I think to myself “What delightful dish has Lindsay created for us today?” Keep ’em coming Lynds!!

      best,

      d.

    1. Pinch of Yum Logo

      Love that! I once had a mac and cheese combined with tomato soup when I was growing up and I loved it … so retro and so good.

  10. Pinch of Yum Logo

    I’m not too much of a red meat person, but I could totally go for a mac and cheese dotted with brown butter steak. I also love Barefoot wines because they are so cheap and tasty, so I can’t wait to try the Malbec! Great job making a mac and cheese dinner that’s 100% fit for grown-ups 🙂

  11. Pinch of Yum Logo

    Oh my Lord…I just returned from a trip to Charleston (Thank You for your earlier post with so many great suggestions…I took most of them!), and am trying desperately to “cleanse” after all of the indulgent Southern food, but I think that idea went down the drain with this post. Mac and Cheese is my favorite and this version looks too good to miss! : )

    1. Pinch of Yum Logo

      Carlynn! That is so great! I hope you had an awesome time in Charleston… and when you’re ready for more comfort food… this awaits!

  12. Pinch of Yum Logo

    Oh I shouldn’t even look at this but there’s no way I’m passing this up.
    My mother used to fix a piece of steak once in a great while and the side was always mac and cheese. This brings back good memories.

  13. Pinch of Yum Logo

    In my world, one is never too old for mac n cheese. Mac n cheese, a glass of wine and a sweet pup sounds like the perfect evening. Then if you have any leftovers you can have a toasted mac n cheese sandwich for lunch the next day.