This Philly Cheesesteak Macaroni and Cheese is a hearty pasta dish… Philly style!
Hi guys. Happy Monday!
Today, I’m servin’ up something special in honor of the Superbowl Champions, the Philadelphia Eagles! This Philly Cheesesteak Macaroni and Cheese is rich and creamy, super cheesy, and dare I say worthy of the name…the Philly Special?!
By now, I’m sure most of you are familiar with the EPIC play carried out by the Philadelphia Eagles, coined the Philly Special (click here), during Super Bowl LII. I still get goosebumps every time I watch the clip from the game! I’m totally amazed at how calm, cool, and collected Nick Foles and Doug Pederson, the Eagles coach, seemed at such a critical play in the game! It was crazy!
Being such a huge sports fan, I couldn’t let the Eagles Super Bowl victory pass by without creating a dish to celebrate a win that’s been 52 years in the making.
I’m sure you’ve heard that Philadelphians are extremely passionate about their sports teams. They’re also extremely passionate about their cheesesteaks and soft pretzels, both infamous and native to the City of Brotherly Love. So there was no question that whatever recipe I would share to commemorate such an incredible victory, I would need to work around Philadelphians’ favorite foods. And because I’m a comfort food junkie, I knew it would have to be a satisfying, cozy comfort food dish the likes of my Mushroom Florentine Gnocchi, my French Onion Pasta and my Lasagna Bolognese.
This Philly Cheesesteak Macaroni and Cheese is the ULTIMATE in comfort food! It’s LOADED with thinly shaved steak, peppers and onions, and topped with Philly soft pretzel crumbs for added flavor. The pretzel crumbs are an absolute MUST! It’s also got two kinds of cheeses, shredded Provolone and American, and some whole milk and heavy cream to make it ultra creamy. It’s a comforting dish that even the toughest Philadelphia Eagles fan would give the thumbs up! This one’s definitely SPECIAL! Enjoy!
Philly Cheesesteak Macaroni and Cheese
Print Recipe Pin RecipeIngredients
- 8 oz. elbow noodles or your favorite small pasta noodles
- 1 Tbsp. vegetable oil
- 16 oz. sirloin steak, thinly shaved
- 3 Tbsp. butter
- 2 1/2 cups yellow onion, chopped
- 2 cups green bell pepper, chopped
- 2 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 tsp. ground mustard
- 1/4 tsp. cayenne red pepper
- 1 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
- 2 cups provolone cheese, freshly grated
- 2 cups American cheese, freshly grated
Soft Pretzel Crumbs
- 1 cup soft pretzel crumbs
- 2 Tbsp. butter
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Fill large pot with water and 2 tsp. salt and prepare the macaroni al dente according to directions on package. Drain and set aside.
- In a large saucepan oven medium-high heat, heat oil. Add steak meat and season with salt and pepper. Cook until no longer pink. Remove steak meat to a large plate. Drain fat from pan.
- Melt 3 Tbsp. butter over medium heat in saucepan. Add onion and green pepper and cook for 10-12 minutes until browned. Whisk in flour and cook for one minute. Slowly whisk in milk, cream, mustard, cayenne, salt and pepper.
- Stirring constantly, continue to cook for 8 minutes until nice and thick. Stir in 3 1/2 cups cheeses. Stir until cheese is melted. Add pasta and steak meat. Pour into a 2.4 qt. or a 9x13 baking dish sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. Sprinkle with the leftover cheeses and the pretzel crumbs. Bake for 30 minutes until bubbly and nice and golden browned.
- Pretzel Crumbs: place pieces of soft pretzel in food processor. Process until coarse crumbs form. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add crumbs and cook for 3-4 minutes, tossing often until lightly browned. Remove from heat.
annie@ciaochowbambina
Great post, Mary Ann! You seriously brought me right back to the game…that moment… I have butterflies! You have done the team and the town proud with this one! Delicious!! xo
Mary Ann
Thanks Annie! Me too! We Philadelphians take our cheesesteaks very seriously!
Alida | Simply Delicious
Love the look of this Mac & Cheese!!
Mary Ann
Thanks Alida!
Alida | Simply Delicious
And congrats to the Eagles!! Well deserved!
Mary Ann
Woohoo! Thanks!
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers
Loving this Philly take on mac and cheese. The flavours are perfect with the pasta and cheese. Yum!
Mary Ann
Thanks Jennifer! Can’t go wrong with a decked out mac and cheese!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
I have no clue about the game, but I am totally down with this deliciousness, Mary Ann! What a brilliant idea! I can’t wait to give this one a go – total comfort food! YES! Pinned! Happy Monday! XO
Mary Ann
Lol! It was amazing Dawn! This one is total comfort food!
Michelle | The Secret Ingredient Is
Oh my goodness this recipe is EPIC! I bet this combination is a delicious flavorbomb, love it!
Mary Ann
Thanks Michelle! We love it!
Leanne | Crumb Top Baking
This is phenomenal Mary Ann! The ultimate comfort food. My husband would be all over this. The thinly sliced steak and soft pretzel crumb topping definitely make this a stand out dish. Great way to commemorate your team’s win!
Mary Ann
Thanks Leanne! I have to say it is pretty delicious! Yay Eagles!
Karen @ Seasonal Cravings
Seeing that the hubs is from Philly and is very particular about his Philly cheesesteaks I have to make this for him. I have a feeling it would be a HUGE hit!
Mary Ann
He’ll LOVE this one Karen! I didn’t know he was from Philly!
Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen
This is the best mac and cheese I’ve ever seen! Not just because it sounds delicious but because that was one of the best games I’ve seen in years. (I’m still so glad the Eagles won!) Just give me a big bowl of this and I’ll be a happy camper :)
Mary Ann
I bet you’d LOVE it Kelsie! It was one of the best games EVER! I totally agree!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary
So I’m going to be honest, I have zero clue about the game since my team wasn’t in it. LOL. BUT, I can totally feel your excitement from here! And I’m definitely drooling over this dish! Such a genius version of mac n’ cheese, Mare! And so perfect for a celebration! Can’t wait to try this! Pinning! Cheers! xoxo
Mary Ann
We were so excited for the Eagles! It’s been a LONG time coming! Hope you enjoy this one! We love it! Happy Monday Chey!
sue | theviewfromgreatisland
omg this is one of those ‘why didn’t I think of this?’ moments…it’s SO up my alley I will have to make it this week, :)
Mary Ann
I have those moments every time I visit your blog Sue!! Enjoy!
Natasha @ Salt & Lavender
Wow Mary Ann, this is quite the comfort food! We were in Vegas for the Super Bowl, so I naturally had to bet on the Eagles. I won $270 haha. It was one heck of a game.
Mary Ann
Yay! So glad you won some money Natasha! It was an amazing game! And nothing beats a comfort food dish this time of year, right?!
Jennifer Farley
This sounds so so good!
Mary Ann
We’re a little obsessed with it Jennifer!
Katherine | Love In My Oven
The Eagles should be honoured to have this as their signature winning dish!! Great idea and way to celebrate such a huge win!
Mary Ann
Thanks Katherine! We’re loving the win and the mac and cheese!
Leigh Ann
Two of my favorite things combined! So good Mary Ann!
Mary Ann
Mine too Leigh Ann!
Gerlinde@Sunnycovechef
Congratulations on your team winning. My husband thought it was a great game. I personally know very little about foodball but I know you created a great in their honor.
Mary Ann
It was an amazing game Gerlinde and I’ve watched many a football game in my time!
Sarah Fennel
Talk about the ULTIMATE comfort food!! YUM.
Mary Ann
YES! Mac and cheese never fails!
Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy
GENIUS mash up!
Mary Ann
Thanks Jennifer!
Traci | Vanilla And Bean
OMGeeee it’s a total mouthwater Mary Ann! What a fun tribute (and I’m completely smitten over those pretzles)! No doubt mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food… and hey, I’ll take it! I’m lovin those breadcrumbs!
Mary Ann
We love our pretzels here in Philly as much as we love our cheesesteaks! Tom can never get enough of those crumbs!!
Matt Robinson
This is pure genius Mary Ann! Especially for a house full of hungry boys
Mary Ann
Thanks Matt! It would be perfect!
Gina @Running to the Kitchen
This is such an awesome twist on the classic comfort food!
Mary Ann
We love it Gina! Comfort food never gets old!
Kevin O'Leary
What an amazingly comforting dish!
Mary Ann
Thanks Kevin!
Geraldine | Green Valley Kitchen
You’re a super fan, Mary Ann! Love that you making a special recipe for your favorite teams win! And I love the soft pretzel crumbles!
Mary Ann
Those pretzel crumbs are a total must Geraldine!
Marissa
I love that you still get goosebumps whenever you watch the clip – a true fan!
This looks like one hearty, super delicious version of mac and cheese! I just had lunch and now I’m hungry again!
Mary Ann
Yes I am Marissa! This is such a comforting, hearty dish!
Christina
Whelp, I’ve just died and gone to food heaven. Are you serious with this recipe? Somebody get Mary Ann a gosh darn award, or trophy, or something to honor the deliciousness she just put forth! I’m pinning the heck out of this recipe!
Mary Ann
Lol! Thanks so much Christina! This one’s a TOTAl hit at our house! I hope you give it a go!
Deepika|TheLoveOfCakes
Creamy cheesy deliciousness!! This is a dreamy dish Mary Ann! I love everything about it especially the pretzel crumb topping :)
Mary Ann
It really is dreamy! My husband LOVES this mac n’ cheese!