Description
A comforting high-protein mac and cheese dish that combines creamy sauce, sautéed peppers, and hearty pasta.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz Dry Macaroni (whole wheat or chickpea pasta can be used)
- 1 lb Lean Ground Beef (can be swapped with ground turkey or chickpeas)
- 1 cup Chopped White Onion (yellow onion works well as a substitute)
- 2 cloves Minced Garlic
- 2 cups Bell Peppers (any mix of red, green & yellow)
- 2 tablespoons Butter (or olive oil as a healthier alternative)
- 8 oz Light Cream Cheese (or regular cream cheese for a richer sauce)
- 1 cup Shredded Mozzarella (any favorite melting cheese can substitute)
- 4 slices Light Cheese Slices (any good melting cheese slice)
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Pepper
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon Chili Flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1/4 cup Fresh Parsley (optional for garnish)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the macaroni until just shy of tender.
- Drain the pasta and set it aside while you finish the sauce.
- Heat the skillet on medium and add the butter until it melts.
- Add the chopped onion and cook until soft.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the ground beef, breaking it into small pieces as it browns.
- Mix in the chopped bell peppers and cook until softened.
- Season the mixture with salt, pepper, paprika, and chili flakes.
- Lower the heat, then add cream cheese in chunks and stir until smooth.
- Layer in the cheese slices and shredded mozzarella, stirring until melted and creamy.
- Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
- Fold the drained macaroni into the sauce until coated.
- Let sit on low heat for a minute so the pasta absorbs the sauce.
- Sprinkle fresh parsley on top and serve immediately.
Notes
For more fiber and protein, switch to whole wheat or chickpea pasta. Feel free to swap ground beef for turkey or chickpeas for a vegetarian version.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: mac and cheese, creamy pasta, comfort food, high protein, weeknight dinner