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High-protein creamy Philly cheesesteak mac and cheese served in a bowl

High-Protein Creamy Philly Cheesesteak Mac & Cheese

A comforting, one-pan dish that combines creamy mac and cheese with a zesty Philly cheesesteak twist, perfect for a family-friendly meal.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 600
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 800 g lean ground beef (or turkey/chickpeas for a meatless twist)
  • 240 g dry macaroni (whole wheat or chickpea pasta recommended)
  • 140 g light cream cheese
  • 50 g shredded mozzarella
  • 20 g butter (or olive oil)
  • 1 tbsp minced garlic
  • 100 g chopped white onion
  • 75 g each red, green & yellow bell peppers
Seasoning
  • to taste Salt
  • to taste Pepper
  • to taste Paprika
  • to taste Chili flakes

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Boil the macaroni in salted water until al dente, reserving 125ml of pasta water before draining.
  2. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter and sauté the garlic, onion, and bell peppers for about 4–5 minutes until they soften.
  3. Add in the ground beef (or your chosen protein) and cook for 5–7 minutes until it’s golden brown. Drain excess fat if needed.
  4. Season with salt, pepper, paprika, and chili flakes to taste.
  5. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the cream cheese, mozzarella, and cheese slices until everything melts.
  6. Add the cooked pasta and reserved pasta water, stirring until evenly coated.
  7. Serve hot, optionally garnished with herbs or extra cheese.

Notes

For added variety, use sharp cheddar or gouda for different cheese flavors. You can also mix in spinach or kale for a nutritional boost.