Philly Cheesesteak Mac & Cheese Bliss: A High-Protein, Creamy Comfort Meal
A delicious High-Protein Creamy Philly Cheesesteak Mac & Cheese perfect for busy nights, packed with flavor and nutrition.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Skillet / Sauté
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 8 oz dry macaroni (whole wheat or chickpea pasta can be used)
- 1 lb lean ground beef (or ground turkey/chickpeas)
- 1 cup chopped white onion (yellow onion works)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups bell peppers (red, green, yellow)
- 2 tbsp butter (or olive oil)
- 8 oz light cream cheese (regular cream cheese optional)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella
- 4 slices light cheese
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp chili flakes
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, optional
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook macaroni until al dente (8-10 min). Reserve ~125ml pasta water, then drain.
- Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic, onion, and bell peppers. Sauté 4-5 min until tender.
- Add ground beef, cook 5-7 min, breaking apart. Drain excess fat. Season with salt, pepper, paprika, and chili flakes.
- Reduce heat to low. Stir in cream cheese, shredded mozzarella, and cheese slices until melted and creamy (3-4 min).
- Add cooked macaroni and reserved pasta water, stirring to coat evenly. Adjust thickness with more pasta water if needed.
Notes
- Keep heat low when adding cheese to avoid grainy texture. Adjust seasoning before serving.