Roast Beef Mac and Cheese Recipe

Photos of Roast Beef Mac and Cheese Recipe

Instead of the more common combo of mac and cheese with ground beef and tomato sauce, this version of ours uses slices of tender roast beef for a more indulgent meal. This roast beef mac and cheese casserole has a homemade cheese sauce made with milk, cheddar cheese (again, no tomato sauce!), and reserved juices from the roast beef. The last bit makes it extra flavorful. Combine this cheesy sauce with cooked elbow macaroni pasta and the actual roast beef strips, and then finish it off by sprinkling crushed biscuits on top. It’s perfect with a serving of glazed baked ribs!

Tips on Making Roast Beef Mac and Cheese

Making this baked roast beef mac and cheese at home is super simple! In less than an hour, you get to enjoy a cheesy and savory dish to eat with your friends or family. Here are more ways to make this cheesy beef macaroni casserole taste even better.

Try out some of our helpful tips below to get the most out of your dish:

Experiment with different types of pasta. Besides elbow macaroni, you can also try cavatappi. These are “corkscrew noodles” which are bigger in size compared to the elbow macaroni, and they curve into a spiral. It has more ridges that help hold more sauce, and it’s also chewier than macaroni. You can also use conchiglie pasta which is lighter and more delicate. It’s a medium-sized shell that curves upwards, forming a cup that holds sauces well.

Use whole milk for a creamier macaroni and beef pasta. You can also use heavy cream to make your dish extra thick and creamy. But, if you’re looking for a calorie-friendly alternative, then low-fat milk also works well for this recipe.

Add more flavorful ingredients like onions, tomatoes, carrots, peas, broccoli, and other meats like chicken. These are some of the ingredients you can use to spruce up your roast beef mac and cheese even more. You can also sprinkle a bit of red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper over the casserole for a bit of heat.

How To Make Roast Beef Mac and Cheese

This roast beef mac and cheese is tossed with a flavorful homemade cheese sauce and strips of savory roast beef. Topped with crushed pretzel biscuits, this indulgent dish is perfect for meat lovers and cheese fans alike.

Prep: 5 mins

Cool Time:: 5 mins

Cook: 45 mins

Total: 55 mins

Serves:

Ingredients

8 oz elbow macaroni pasta, cooked and cooled
1 lb roast beef, prepared, cut into strips
½ cup pretzel biscuits, crushed
salt, to taste
ground black pepper, to taste

For Cheese Sauce:

¼ cup unsalted butter
¼ cup all-purpose flour
4 cups cheddar cheese, shredded and divided
1⅓ cups milk
1⅓ cups reserved juices from the roast beef

For Serving:

¼ cup roast beef
1 tbsp pretzel biscuits, crushed

For Garnish:

¼ tsp parsley

Instructions

Prepare your sauce first. Melt butter in a saucepot over medium-high heat, then add flour and whisk until it forms a roux.
Gradually whisk in milk and reserved roasting juices. Continue to simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly for roughly 10 minutes until thickened.
Stir in 3 cups of shredded cheese until melted.
Remove from heat, then stir in the macaroni and the beef. Season with salt and ground black pepper to taste, then fold until evenly incorporated.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Pour your pasta into the greased baking casserole. Sprinkle the top with the remaining cheese, then the crushed pretzels.
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly.
Let cool for 5 minutes before serving. Portion accordingly and garnish with parsley, beef, and biscuits.

Nutrition

Sugar: 3g
:
Calcium: 991mg
Calories: 758kcal
Carbohydrates: 44g
Cholesterol: 181mg
Fat: 41g
Fiber: 1g
Iron: 4mg
Monounsaturated Fat: 10g
Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g
Potassium: 554mg
Protein: 54g
Saturated Fat: 22g
Sodium: 2726mg
Trans Fat: 1g
Vitamin A: 1079IU
Vitamin C: 62mg

Nutrition Disclaimer

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my homemade mac and cheese gritty?

Different types of cheese and other dairy products are prone to curdling when heated, making their texture grainy or gritty. That’s because the fat and milk present in the cheeses tend to break down in this condition. High temperature is the main culprit, so it’s best to keep the heat low and steady for recipes like this roast beef mac and cheese. Avoid boiling the sauce to achieve the best texture. Another tip is to add the shredded cheese slowly or one handful at a time. Doing so will give the cheese enough time to melt and fold into the sauce before the next step.

What to serve with beef mac and cheese?

Whether you’re eating this roast beef mac and cheese as a side dish or main dish, it’s still best to pair it with other delicious dishes. Try the casserole with this unleavened cornbread to enjoy a simple yet delicious afternoon meal. You can also try making big servings of this appetizing cornbread meatloaf to pair with this cheesy and beefy mac and cheese.

Conclusion

Upgrade your usual beef mac and cheese recipe with tender and savory roast beef! This creamy and cheesy pasta dish comes together really easily with the meat strips, homemade cheddar cheese sauce, and crushed pretzel biscuits on top.