Okay, so you know how some nights you just CRAVE something super comforting, right? Like, the kind of food that just wraps you up like a warm hug? That’s exactly why I’m obsessed with this Philly Cheesesteak Mac and Cheese! I mean, who doesn’t love a good mac and cheese? But then you take all those amazing flavors from a classic Philly cheesesteak – the savory beef, the sweet onions, the tender peppers, all melty and delicious – and you swirl it all into a ridiculously creamy cheese sauce? It’s pure genius, if I do say so myself! This dish is seriously my go-to when I need a serious comfort food boost, and I just know you’re going to love it as much as I do.

Why You’ll Love This Philly Cheesesteak Mac and Cheese

Okay, so here’s why this Philly Cheesesteak Mac & Cheese is an absolute winner:

Seriously Easy Peasy: Honestly, putting this together is like a walk in the park. It’s perfect for those nights you’re just drained but still want something amazing.
All That Cheesesteak Goodness: We’re talking that yummy, savory beef, sweet onions, tender peppers, all swirled into the creamiest, dreamiest cheese sauce. It’s the best of both worlds!
Pure Comfort in a Bowl: This dish is like a warm, cozy blanket for your soul. It’s rich, cheesy, and just makes everything feel right.
A Hit with Everyone: Kids devour it, adults rave about it. It’s your new go-to for family dinners or when you just need a serious comfort food fix.

Gather Your Ingredients for Philly Cheesesteak Mac & Cheese

Alright, so to whip up this amazing Philly Cheesesteak Mac & Cheese, you’re gonna need some good stuff. First off, grab yourself a pound of elbow macaroni – it’s the classic for a reason, you know? Then, for that authentic cheesesteak vibe, we need about a pound of ground beef. I like to use a slightly leaner one, maybe 85/15, so it doesn’t get too greasy, but honestly, whatever you have works! Oh, and don’t forget a big onion and a green bell pepper; we’re slicing those up nice and thin. Some folks love mushrooms in their cheesesteak, so I’m tossing in about 8 ounces of sliced ones too, they add such a lovely earthy flavor.

Now for the creamy magic! You’ll need about 4 cups of shredded cheddar cheese. Sharp cheddar is my favorite because it has so much punch, but a mix of cheddar and provolone is *chef’s kiss*! Trust me, don’t skimp on the cheese, it’s what makes it ridiculously creamy. You’ll also need 1 cup of milk, 1/2 cup of butter (because, well, butter!), and 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour to get our sauce nice and thick. A little salt and pepper to taste, and you are seriously golden. These ingredients are the heart and soul of why this dish is just so darn good. If you’re looking for more beefy pasta goodness, check out this beef pasta recipe too!

Essential Equipment for Making Philly Cheesesteak Mac & Cheese

To make this outta-the-park Philly Cheesesteak Mac & Cheese, you don’t need a ton of fancy gadgets, thankfully! You’ll definitely want a good large skillet for browning your beef and cooking those veggies down. A medium saucepan is also key for whipping up that dreamy cheese sauce. And of course, you’ll need a sturdy whisk for getting that sauce perfectly smooth – no lumps allowed! Oh, and don’t forget a colander for draining that pasta. That’s pretty much it! Having these basics on hand makes the whole process super smooth.

Step-by-Step Guide to Perfect Philly Cheesesteak Mac & Cheese

Alright, let’s get this party started! Making this Philly Cheesesteak Mac & Cheese is easier than you think. It’s all about doing things in the right order, and I’ve got some little tips that make all the difference.

Cooking the Macaroni

First things first, get your pasta going! We want elbow macaroni, and you’re gonna cook it according to the package directions. The goal here is *al dente* – you know, tender but with just a little chew. Nobody wants mushy pasta! Once it’s done, drain it really well, maybe give it a little shake, and set it aside. Don’t rinse it, though; that starchiness helps our sauce stick later!

Preparing the Cheesesteak Filling

Now for the star of the show! Grab your large skillet and get that ground beef in there over medium-high heat. Break it up with your spoon as it browns. Once it’s all nicely browned, carefully drain off any extra grease. Nobody wants a greasy mac and cheese! Then, toss in your sliced onion, bell pepper, and mushrooms. Cook all those veggies until they’re nice and tender, maybe about 5-7 minutes. They should soften up and smell amazing! If you’re craving more ground beef goodness, maybe try out this garlic butter beef recipe too!

Spoonful of Philly Cheesesteak Mac & Cheese with melted cheese, beef, and peppers.

Creating the Creamy Cheese Sauce

This is where the magic really happens! In a separate saucepan (told you you’d need it!), melt your butter over medium heat. Once it’s all bubbly and happy, whisk in your flour. Let that cook for about a minute, whisking constantly – this is called a roux, and it’s what makes our sauce thick and luscious. Now, slowly pour in your milk, whisking like crazy so you don’t get any lumps. Keep stirring until it starts to thicken up and simmer. Take it off the heat, and then comes the best part: stir in all that shredded cheddar cheese until it’s smooth and gooey. A little salt and pepper to taste, and boom! Perfect cheese sauce.

Combining and Finishing Your Philly Cheesesteak Mac & Cheese

Okay, we are SO close! Now, just pour that glorious cheese sauce over your cooked macaroni. Add in that delicious beef and veggie mixture too. Stir everything together really, really well until every single piece of pasta and every bit of meat and veg is coated in that creamy, cheesy goodness. It’s gonna look ridiculously good, trust me! If you’re trying to figure out what to do with ground beef and veggies, this ground beef zucchini skillet dinner is another easy option.

Tips for the Best Philly Cheesesteak Mac & Cheese

Okay, so we’ve made the magic happen, but let’s chat about how to make this Philly Cheesesteak Mac & Cheese truly spectacular. A little trick I learned is to shred your own cheese instead of using the pre-shredded stuff. Seriously, the pre-shredded bags have anti-caking agents that can make your sauce a little less smooth, and trust me, we want it *super* melty and creamy. Also, for those veggies, don’t overcook them! We want them tender, yeah, but still with a tiny bit of bite to them so they don’t just disappear into the sauce. It’s all about those little details! You know, speaking of ground beef and veggies, if you ever need another quick dinner idea, try out this ground beef cauliflower skillet; it’s another winner in my kitchen!

Ingredient Substitutions for Philly Cheesesteak Mac & Cheese

You know, the beauty of this dish is how flexible it is! If you’re not a huge fan of cheddar, or just want to switch things up, try using provolone cheese – it’s practically a must for a real Philly cheesesteak, right? A mix of cheddar and provolone is *divine*. You could even throw in some mozzarella for extra gooiness, though it’s a bit milder. If ground beef isn’t your jam, you could certainly use thinly sliced steak for a more authentic Philly vibe, or even chicken or pork! For a vegetarian twist, skip the meat and maybe add some extra mushrooms or even some chopped bell peppers and onions.

Flavor Enhancements and Variations

Want to kick it up a notch? Add a pinch of red pepper flakes when you’re making the cheese sauce for a little zing! My kids aren’t huge fans of spice, so I usually add it just for me, haha. Another trick I love is a dash of Worcestershire sauce in the beef mixture; it just adds this awesome umami depth that takes everything to the next level. You could also stir in some fresh parsley or chives at the very end for a pop of color and freshness. Basically, play around with it and make it your own!

Serving and Storing Your Philly Cheesesteak Mac & Cheese

This Philly Cheesesteak Mac & Cheese is best served piping hot, right off the stove! It’s seriously decadent, so a light, fresh side salad with a vinaigrette is perfect to cut through all that richness. Or, if you’re feeling extra, you could even serve it alongside some crispy onion rings – because why not, right?

Now, if you happen to have any leftovers (which is rare in my house, let me tell ya!), just pop it into an airtight container and pop it in the fridge. It’ll keep for about 3-4 days. To reheat, I usually just zap it in the microwave for a minute or two, stirring halfway through. If it seems a little thick, add a tiny splash of milk to loosen it back up. It’s almost as good the second time around! If you love Philly flavors but want something a bit different, you HAVE to try my Philly Cheesesteak Bowls recipe too!

Frequently Asked Questions about Philly Cheesesteak Mac & Cheese

Got questions about this cheesy, meaty goodness? I’ve got answers! It’s always good to know the little tricks to make sure this Philly Cheesesteak Mac & Cheese turns out perfectly. Let’s dive in!

Can I make this Philly Cheesesteak Mac & Cheese ahead of time?

You totally can! If you want to get a head start, cook the pasta and prepare the cheesesteak mixture separately. Store them in airtight containers in the fridge. Then, when you’re ready to serve, gently warm the beef and veggie mix, make the cheese sauce, and then combine everything with the cooked pasta. It might need an extra splash of milk to get that saucy consistency back after chilling, but it’s still super delicious!

What kind of cheese is best for this recipe?

Oh, cheese is SO important here! While sharp cheddar gives it a fantastic tangy kick, using about half cheddar and half provolone is my absolute favorite. Provolone has that classic mild, slightly sharp flavor that just screams “Philly cheesesteak!” Mozzarella is also a great addition if you want it extra gooey and stretchy. Just make sure to shred your own cheese – it melts way better than the pre-shredded stuff, trust me on this!

Can I use chicken or pork instead of beef?

Absolutely! If you’re not a beef fan, or just want to switch things up, thinly sliced chicken breast or pork loin would work wonderfully. You’d sauté them just like the beef, breaking them into smaller pieces as they cook. Some people even love using chopped steak for an even more authentic cheesesteak flavor! Just make sure to cook your chosen protein until it’s nice and tender before you add the veggies.

Nutritional Information

Alright, so while this Philly Cheesesteak Mac & Cheese is pure comfort food heaven, it does pack a bit of a punch, nutrition-wise! We’re looking at roughly 750 calories per serving, with about 40g of fat and 35g of protein. Just remember these numbers are estimates, okay? They can totally change depending on the exact ingredients you use, like the fat content of your beef or the type of cheese. If you’re trying to find more healthy, high-protein meal ideas, you should definitely check out this high-protein meals category!

Share Your Philly Cheesesteak Mac & Cheese Creations!

Okay, now that you’ve hopefully tried this amazing Philly Cheesesteak Mac & Cheese, I’d LOVE to hear all about your kitchen adventures! Did you add anything special? Did your family devour it? Please drop a comment below and tell me everything! And hey, if you snapped a pic, tag me on social media – I just adore seeing your creations! You can always reach out if you have any questions too!

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