Description
Saucy Kansas City BBQ Mac Burnt Ends deliver pure comfort straight from the heartland’s kitchen. Tender beef cubes and creamy pasta mingle with smoky barbecue sauce, creating a classic Missouri-style meal your dinner guests will devour.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 lbs beef brisket
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb elbow macaroni
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Supporting Ingredients:
- ¼ cup bbq rub
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup butter
- 2 tablespoons dijon mustard
- 1 cup bbq sauce
- ½ cup chopped green onions
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Trim your brisket’s excess fat and dice into precise 1-inch cubes for uniform cooking results.
- Generously massage bbq rub into each beef cube, ensuring total seasoning coverage.
- Warm 2 tbsp olive oil in a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat at 375°F.
- Sear beef cubes for exactly 2-3 minutes per side, developing a deep golden crust.
- Transfer cubes to a baking sheet and slow roast at 275°F for 2-3 hours until meat becomes ultra-tender.
- Boil 1 lb elbow macaroni in salted water for 8-9 minutes until perfectly al dente.
- Melt ¼ cup butter in a large saucepan over medium heat at 325°F.
- Whisk ½ cup heavy cream into melted butter until smoothly combined.
- Gradually incorporate 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, stirring until sauce becomes silky.
- Blend in 2 tbsp dijon mustard, 1 tsp salt, and ½ tsp black pepper into cheese mixture.
- Fold drained macaroni into cheese sauce, coating each noodle completely.
- Gently integrate roasted beef cubes throughout mac and cheese.
- Drizzle 1 cup bbq sauce across the top of the dish.
- Sprinkle ½ cup chopped green onions as a fresh finishing touch.
- Serve immediately while cheese remains luxuriously melted.
Notes
- Always trim brisket fat carefully to ensure uniform 1-inch cubes that cook evenly and develop consistent texture.
- Use a high-quality bbq rub with balanced spices to create a deep flavor crust on your burnt ends before searing.
- Cast-iron skillet provides the best sear for developing rich caramelization and locking in meat juices during initial cooking.
- For a lighter version, swap heavy cream with whole milk and use reduced-fat cheese, which will still deliver delicious results without compromising flavor complexity.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Category: Pan-Seared
- Method: Searing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 690 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 42 g
- Saturated Fat: 19 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg