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High-Protein Creamy Philly Cheesesteak Mac & Cheese

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A comforting dish of creamy macaroni enveloped in a cheesy sauce with savory ground beef and colorful bell peppers.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 800g lean ground beef (or turkey/chickpeas for a vegetarian twist)
  • 20g butter (or olive oil for a lighter touch)
  • 1 tbsp minced garlic
  • 100g chopped white onion
  • 75g each of red, green & yellow bell peppers
  • Salt, pepper, paprika & chili flakes (to taste)
  • 140g light cream cheese
  • 50g shredded mozzarella
  • 3–4 light cheese slices (or your favorite melting cheese)
  • 125ml reserved pasta water
  • 240g dry macaroni
  • Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

  1. Cook Pasta: Boil the macaroni in salted water until al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes. Reserve 125ml of pasta water before draining.
  2. Sauté Veggies: In a skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add garlic and onion, sauté for 4-5 minutes until the onion is translucent. Toss in bell peppers and cook for another 3-4 minutes.
  3. Add Beef: Crumble in the ground beef, season with salt, pepper, paprika, and chili flakes. Cook for 5-7 minutes until browned. Drain excess fat.
  4. Make it Creamy: Lower heat, stir in cream cheese, mozzarella, and cheese slices until you have a smooth sauce.
  5. Bring It Together: Add the drained macaroni and reserved pasta water to the skillet. Stir gently until noodles are coated, adding more water if needed.

Notes

For an extra depth of flavor, add Worcestershire sauce while cooking the beef. For a crispy topping, add breadcrumbs and broil briefly.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://www.anytimesrecipes.com/high-protein-creamy-philly-cheesesteak-mac-and-cheese/