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Creamy Steak Queso Mac with Pepper Jack – Ultimate Comfort in Every Bite

Creamy Steak Queso Mac with Pepper Jack


  • Author: Rachel Morgan
  • Total Time: 55
  • Yield: 6 generous bowls 1x
  • Diet: Non-Vegetarian

Description

Indulge in smoky, charred skirt steak and a rich, garlicky queso sauce made with pepper jack, tossed with medium shells for ultimate comfort in every bite of this Southwestern fusion masterpiece.


Ingredients

Scale

1.5 lbs USDA Choice Skirt Steak
24 oz Medium Shell Pasta
8 oz Pepper Jack Cheese (freshly grated)
12 oz Chunky Salsa Verde
4 tbsp Garlic Butter
2 tbsp Toasted Chili Powder
1 tbsp Fire-Roasted Chipotle puree
1 tsp Coarse Salt, or to taste
1 tsp Black Pepper, freshly ground
1/2 tsp Ground Cumin


Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C)
Pat skirt steak dry, season generously with coarse salt and black pepper
Heat 2 tbsp of garlic butter in oven-safe skillet over high heat. Sear steak for 4-5 minutes per side until deeply charred and medium-rare. Remove from pan and let rest for 5 minutes, then slice into strips
Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Cook pasta to al dente according to package instructions, then drain and set aside
In the same skillet, sauté 2 tbsp of garlic butter over medium heat. Stir in chili powder, chipotle puree, and cumin. Cook for 2 minutes until fragrant
Add half of the grated pepper jack to the pan; whisk until melted into a smooth sauce. Add salsa verde and remaining cheese to create a thick, stretchy queso
Pour cooked pasta into the queso mixture and toss well to coat
Fold in seared steak slices and any juices
Transfer pasta and steak mixture to a baking dish. Garnish with a thin layer of remaining cheese
Bake for 20 minutes until golden and bubbly on top
Let stand 10 minutes before serving

Notes

Avoid using gluten-free pasta; it won’t hold up to the sauce
Use freshly grated pepper jack for the best cheese pull and texture
For extra flavor, allow queso to simmer 10 minutes on stove before baking
Pico de gallo or avocado makes an excellent topping
Store leftovers in an airtight container in refrigerator for up to 3 days

  • Prep Time: 15
  • Cook Time: 40
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Stovetop and Baking
  • Cuisine: Southwestern/US

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 bowl
  • Calories: 580
  • Sugar: 4g
  • Sodium: 850mg
  • Fat: 32g
  • Saturated Fat: 19g
  • Carbohydrates: 35g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 35g
  • Cholesterol: 120mg