Description
This comforting Brisket Mac and Cheese combines creamy, cheesy pasta with tender shredded beef brisket for a hearty, flavorful meal. Cooked on the stovetop, this dish features a rich cheese sauce infused with spices, topped with savory brisket and crispy onion strings for added texture and taste.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 16 ounces pipe rigate pasta or shells (organic pipe rigate preferred)
Cheese Sauce
- 2 ½ cups whole milk
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Slap Ya Mama® seasoning
- ½ teaspoon ground mustard
- ½ teaspoon turmeric
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups white cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
Brisket
- 2 cups leftover beef brisket, shredded
- ¼ cup beef broth
- ¼ cup barbecue sauce
Toppings
- Crispy onion strings
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: In a large pot, cook the pipe rigate pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta thoroughly and return it to the pot to keep warm.
- Prepare Cheese Sauce: To the pot with the pasta, pour in the whole milk, heavy cream, and vegetable broth. Stir gently to combine the liquids and bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat. Gradually add the shredded white and sharp cheddar cheeses, stirring continuously until all the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth. Add the garlic powder, onion powder, Slap Ya Mama® seasoning, ground mustard, turmeric, and black pepper. Let the sauce simmer gently for 5 to 7 minutes to thicken and deepen the flavors.
- Heat Brisket: In a separate saucepan over medium heat, combine the shredded leftover beef brisket with the beef broth and barbecue sauce. Heat the brisket mixture for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the brisket is warmed through.
- Assemble and Serve: Spoon a generous portion of the mac and cheese into serving bowls. Top each bowl with warm shredded brisket, then drizzle additional barbecue sauce over the top. Finish by garnishing with crispy onion strings for a crunchy texture contrast. Serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Use leftover brisket for a quick meal, or slow cook a brisket in advance to prepare this dish fresh.
- For a spicier kick, add extra Slap Ya Mama® seasoning or a dash of hot sauce to the cheese sauce.
- Substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream to reduce fat content, though the sauce may be less rich.
- Leftover mac and cheese can be reheated gently on the stovetop with a splash of milk to prevent drying out.
- Gluten-free pasta can be used to accommodate dietary restrictions.
