Birria Mac & Cheese
A delicious and comforting dish that combines creamy macaroni and cheese with tender shredded beef, topped with fresh vegetables.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 16 ounces elbow macaroni, cooked al dente and drained
- 0.5 cup unsalted butter (1 stick / 113 g)
- 0.5 cup all-purpose flour (62.5 g)
- 3 cups whole milk, warmed
- 2.5 teaspoons kosher salt
- 0.5 teaspoon ground mustard
- 0.25 teaspoon garlic powder
- 0.25 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1 cup white cheddar cheese, freshly grated (113 g)
- 0.5 cup Monterey Jack cheese, freshly grated (56.5 g)
- 0.5 large white onion, finely diced
- 1 medium jalapeno, seeded and finely diced
- 0.25 cup cilantro, finely chopped for garnish
- 2 cups shredded beef, warmed
- 0.75 cup shredded beef juice, warmed
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter until bubbly. This should take about 2-3 minutes. Be sure to keep an eye on it to prevent burning!
- Add the flour and whisk constantly for 1-2 minutes, or until the mixture turns a light brown color. This creates a roux that will thicken your sauce.
- Remove the saucepan from heat and gradually pour in the warmed milk, whisking continuously to avoid lumps. It’s important to add the milk slowly to ensure a smooth sauce.
- Return the pan to the heat and whisk for another 3-5 minutes, or until the sauce thickens. You’ll know it’s ready when it coats the back of a spoon.
- Stir in the kosher salt, garlic powder, ground mustard, and cayenne pepper (if using). Remove from heat and let the sauce sit for a minute.
- Slowly add the grated cheeses to the sauce, stirring constantly until melted and smooth. This step ensures that your cheese sauce is perfectly creamy.
- Pour the cheese sauce over the cooked elbow macaroni and stir to combine thoroughly. Make sure every piece of pasta is coated in that delicious cheese sauce!
- Layer the warmed shredded beef on top of the macaroni and cheese, then drizzle the warmed beef juice over the meat. This will enhance the flavor of the dish.
- Top with diced onion, jalapeno, and cilantro for a fresh finish. These toppings add a wonderful crunch and brightness to the dish.
- You can serve it as is, with the meat on top, or mix everything together for a deliciously creamy dish. Either way, it's going to be a hit!
Notes
For a milder version, omit the jalapeno or use less cayenne pepper. Feel free to add your favorite vegetables for extra flavor and nutrition!