Tri Tip Mac and Cheese Hand Pies

• Pairs great with veggies, ranch and BBQ sauce
• Smaller than a pot pie, yet super satisfying
• A modern take on Southern comfort food
• Dreamy BBQ meat and a glorious side together in one pie

Hand Pies

• Two homemade pie discs or puff pastries
• 8 oz of tri tip beef, grilled and cut into cubes
• 1 batch of homemade mac and cheese (recipe below)
• Beaten egg for brushing the pies

Homemade Macaroni and Cheese

• 6 oz of elbow macaroni
• 2 tbsp of butter
• 2 tbsp of flour
• 3/4 cup of milk
• 1/2 of half and half
• 1/2 tsp of garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp of onion powder
• 1/4 tsp of dry mustard powder
• 1/2 tsp of seasoned salt
• 2 cups of cheese (you should use cheddar for at least one cup but then feel free to use another type of cheese)
• 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese
• salt and pepper (to your taste preference!)

1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Over medium heat, cook your macaroni until it is just al dente. Then drain and set to the side.
2. In another saucepan, melt your butter over medium heat, then toss in your flour. Whisk the two until there are no lumps and you have a nice thick mix. Then slowly pour in your cream and milk and all the seasonings. Whisk that mix for a few minutes and let it thicken.
3. Remove your cream mixture from the heat and pour in all your cheese (yummy!), mix until smooth. Pour your cheese sauce over your noodles. Then pour your macaroni and cheese in a greased 8×8 pan and bake for about 15-20 min. When the macaroni is bubbling and starting a brown a bit, I turn on my broil (high) setting and let the top of the macaroni brown. This method makes for a nice crunchy top and edges! Let macaroni cool to room temperature.
4. Roll out pie dough (or pastry) and cut 8 or 9 six inch circles (I use my 6 inch cake pan and trace with a knife). Place dough on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. When your tri tip and mac and cheese are cool enough, begin assembling them to one side of each circle of dough. You can add about 2 tbsp of mac and cheese and about 5 or 6 pieces of tri tip on top. Then fold the empty side of the dough over the mac and cheese and meat (this will create a half circle shape). Press the dough with a fork. Freeze your pies for 20-30 minutes so they are extra cold before baking.
5. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Brush pies with the beaten egg and bake for 15-18 min. Ovens vary, so start checking at 14 min. You want your pies to be a nice golden brown color. Let the pies cool for 5-10 minutes and then INHALE’EM!
6. Store in fridge for up to 3 days after baking!

---

Helpful tips