Description
Craving comfort food that fuels your fitness goals? This High-Protein Philly Cheesesteak Mac & Cheese is the answer! In just 30 minutes, you can enjoy a hearty, creamy dish that combines lean ground beef, colorful peppers, and a velvety cheese sauce over pasta. Perfect for busy weeknights, this one-skillet wonder is not only delicious but also packed with protein to keep you feeling satisfied. With customizable ingredients and easy preparation, this recipe is a must-try for anyone who loves indulgent flavors without the guilt.
Ingredients
Scale
- 800g lean ground beef (or turkey/chickpeas)
- 20g butter (or olive oil)
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 100g chopped white onion
- 225g mixed bell peppers (red, green & yellow)
- 140g light cream cheese
- 50g shredded mozzarella
- 240g dry macaroni (whole wheat or chickpea pasta)
Instructions
- Boil macaroni in salted water until al dente. Reserve 125ml of pasta water and drain.
- In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Sauté garlic, onion, and peppers for 4–5 minutes until softened.
- Add ground beef to the skillet; cook for 5–7 minutes while breaking it apart. Season with salt, pepper, paprika, and chili flakes.
- Reduce heat to low; stir in cream cheese, mozzarella, and cheese slices until melted into a creamy sauce.
- Mix in cooked pasta and reserved pasta water; stir until well combined and adjust consistency as needed.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 760mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 56g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 42g
- Cholesterol: 100mg
Keywords: For a vegetarian option, replace meat with chickpeas or lentils. Experiment with different veggies like mushrooms or spinach for added nutrition.