I Enjoy How This Recipe Brings Together Two Comfort Food Favorites In One Pan. It Is Ready In Just 30 Minutes, Which Makes It Perfect For Busy Evenings. I Like That I Can Use Lean Ground Beef Or Swap It For Turkey Or Chickpeas Depending On What I Have. The Creamy Cheese Sauce Coats Every Bite Of Pasta, While The Peppers And Onions Add Freshness And Texture. It Is Hearty, Flavorful, And Great For Meal Prep.
Ingredients
(Here’s A Tip: Check Out The Full List Of Ingredients And Measurements In The Recipe Card Below.)
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 (Use Freshly Minced For Maximum Flavor) 2 Cups Bell Peppers (Red, Green & Yellow) 2 Tablespoons Butter (Olive Oil Can Be Used As A Healthier Alternative) 8 Oz Light Cream Cheese (Regular Cream Cheese Can Be Used For A Richer Sauce) 1 Cup Shredded Mozzarella (Any Favorite Melting Cheese Can Substitute) 4 Slices Light Cheese Slices (Any Good Melting Cheese Slice Will Do) 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)
Directions
I Start By Bringing A Large Pot Of Salted Water To A Boil. I Add The Dry Macaroni And Cook It Until Al Dente, About 8 To 10 Minutes. Before Draining, I Reserve About 125 Ml Of The Pasta Water.
In A Large Skillet Over Medium Heat, I Melt The Butter. I Add The Minced Garlic, Chopped Onion, And Bell Peppers, Then Sauté For 4 To 5 Minutes Until Tender And Translucent.
Next, I Crumble In The Lean Ground Beef And Stir It Into The Vegetables. I Cook For About 5 To 7 Minutes, Breaking It Apart As It Browns. I Drain Any Excess Fat And Season With Salt, Pepper, Paprika, And Chili Flakes.
I Reduce The Heat To Low And Stir In The Light Cream Cheese, Shredded Mozzarella, And Cheese Slices. I Stir Continuously For 3 To 4 Minutes Until Everything Is Fully Melted And Creamy.
Finally, I Add The Cooked Macaroni And A Bit Of The Reserved Pasta Water To The Skillet. I Mix Everything Together Until The Pasta Is Fully Coated In The Creamy Sauce. If The Sauce Is Too Thick, I Add A Little More Pasta Water Until I Reach The Perfect Consistency.
Servings And Timing
This Recipe Makes 4 Servings. Prep Time: About 10 Minutes Cook Time: About 20 Minutes Total Time: 30 Minutes
Variations
I Sometimes Swap The Ground Beef For Lean Ground Turkey For A Slightly Lighter Option. If I Want A Vegetarian Version, I Use Chickpeas Instead Of Meat. For Extra Flavor, I Add Sliced Mushrooms Or A Splash Of Worcestershire Sauce. When I Want More Heat, I Increase The Chili Flakes Or Add A Dash Of Hot Sauce.
Storage/Reheating
I Store Leftovers In An Airtight Container In The Refrigerator For Up To 3 Days. When Reheating, I Warm It On The Stovetop Over Low Heat And Add A Splash Of Milk Or Water To Loosen The Sauce. I Can Also Microwave Individual Portions In Short Intervals, Stirring Between Each One To Keep The Sauce Smooth.
FAQs
Can I Make This Dish Ahead Of Time?
I Can Prepare It Ahead And Store It In The Refrigerator. When Reheating, I Add A Little Liquid To Restore The Creamy Texture.
Can I Freeze This Mac And Cheese?
I Can Freeze It In A Sealed Container For Up To 2 Months. I Let It Thaw In The Refrigerator Overnight Before Reheating Gently.
What Pasta Works Best?
I Prefer Classic Macaroni Because It Holds The Sauce Well, But I Also Enjoy Using Whole Wheat Or Chickpea Pasta For Extra Protein And Fiber.
How Can I Make It Even Higher In Protein?
I Increase The Lean Meat Slightly Or Stir In A Bit Of Plain Greek Yogurt For An Extra Protein Boost While Keeping It Creamy.
Can I Use Different Cheeses?
I Like Mozzarella For Meltiness, But I Can Substitute Provolone, Cheddar, Or Any Favorite Melting Cheese For A Different Flavor Profile.
Conclusion
I Love How This High-Protein Creamy Philly Cheesesteak Mac & Cheese Bliss Delivers Big Flavor In Just 30 Minutes. It Is Creamy, Savory, And Packed With Protein, Making It Perfect For A Satisfying Weeknight Meal. Once I Try It, It Easily Becomes One Of My Favorite Comfort Food Recipes To Make Again And Again.
High-Protein Creamy Philly Cheesesteak Mac & Cheese Bliss is a rich, cheesy comfort food packed with lean ground beef, bell peppers, and a creamy protein loaded sauce. This easy thirty minute dinner recipe is perfect for meal prep and satisfying high protein cravings.
Author:Sarah
Prep Time:10 minutes
Cook Time:20 minutes
Total Time:30 minutes
Yield:4 servings
Category:Main Course
Method:Stovetop
Cuisine:American
Ingredients
8 oz dry macaroni (whole wheat or chickpea pasta optional)
1 cup chopped white onion (yellow onion substitute works)
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups bell peppers (red, green & yellow), sliced
2 tablespoons butter (or olive oil)
8 oz light cream cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella
4 slices light cheese slices
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon chili flakes (adjust to taste)
1/4 cup fresh parsley (optional garnish)
Instructions
Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add macaroni and cook until al dente (8–10 minutes). Reserve about 125 ml (½ cup) pasta water before draining.
Sauté Vegetables: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Add garlic, onion, and bell peppers. Sauté for 4–5 minutes until softened and translucent.
Cook Beef: Add lean ground beef to the skillet. Break apart while cooking for 5–7 minutes until browned. Drain excess fat if needed. Season with salt, pepper, paprika, and chili flakes.
Make Creamy Sauce: Reduce heat to low. Stir in cream cheese, shredded mozzarella, and cheese slices. Mix until fully melted and smooth (3–4 minutes).
Combine: Add drained macaroni and reserved pasta water. Stir well until pasta is fully coated in creamy sauce. Adjust consistency with extra pasta water if necessary.
Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
For extra protein, use chickpea or lentil pasta.
Add sliced mushrooms for more authentic Philly cheesesteak flavor.
If you prefer spice, increase chili flakes or add diced jalapeños.
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Reheat with a splash of milk to restore creaminess.
