Philly cheesesteak mac and cheese

Philly cheesesteak mac and cheese is a delicious and hearty dish that combines two classic comfort foods: mac and cheese and Philly cheesesteak. This recipe is perfect for a cozy night in or for feeding a crowd at a party or potluck. Here’s how to make it:

Ingredients:

• 1 pound elbow macaroni
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups milk
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded provolone cheese
• 1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 yellow onion, thinly sliced
• 1 pound thinly sliced steak (such as ribeye or sirloin)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook the macaroni according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.
2. In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk until smooth. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly.
3. Slowly pour in the milk and beef broth, whisking constantly. Add the Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
4. Cook the sauce over medium heat, stirring frequently, until it thickens and begins to simmer, about 5-7 minutes.
5. Add the cheddar cheese and provolone cheese to the sauce and stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
6. In a separate skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the sliced bell pepper and onion, and sauté until the vegetables are soft, about 5-7 minutes.
7. Add the sliced steak to the skillet with the vegetables and cook until the steak is browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
8. Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir until the pasta is coated with the sauce.
9. Add the cooked steak and vegetables to the mac and cheese and stir to combine.
10. Transfer the mac and cheese to a large baking dish and bake in the oven at 375°F for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
11. Serve the Philly cheesesteak mac and cheese hot, garnished with fresh herbs if desired.

Here are some additional tips and variations you can try with this Philly cheesesteak mac and cheese recipe:

1. Customize the vegetables: If you don’t like green bell peppers or onions, you can swap them out for other vegetables that you enjoy, such as mushrooms, zucchini, or broccoli.
2. Use different cheese: If you’re not a fan of cheddar or provolone cheese, you can experiment with other cheese varieties, such as gouda, fontina, or even blue cheese.
3. Make it spicy: Add some heat to your mac and cheese by adding some red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to the cheese sauce. You can also use pepper jack cheese instead of cheddar for an extra kick.
4. Use a slow cooker: To make this recipe even easier, you can make the cheese sauce and cook the steak and vegetables ahead of time, and then assemble everything in a slow cooker. Cook on low for 4-6 hours or high for 2-3 hours.
5. Add bacon: Everything is better with bacon! Cook some bacon in a skillet until crisp, then crumble it and sprinkle it on top of the mac and cheese before baking.
6. Make it vegetarian: If you’re vegetarian, you can swap the steak for sliced portobello mushrooms or vegan beef strips. You can also use vegetable broth instead of beef broth.
7. Top with breadcrumbs: For an extra crunchy texture, sprinkle some seasoned breadcrumbs on top of the mac and cheese before baking. You can also mix the breadcrumbs with some melted butter for extra flavor.

With these tips and variations, you can make this Philly cheesesteak mac and cheese recipe your own and create a dish that your whole family will love. Enjoy!