Description
A creamy and cheesy pasta dish enriched with protein from lean ground beef and topped with assorted vegetables.
Ingredients
Scale
- 225 g dry macaroni (whole wheat or chickpea pasta may be substituted)
- 450 g lean ground beef (substitute with ground turkey or chickpeas if preferred)
- 1 cup (120 g) chopped white onion (yellow onion may also be used)
- 2 cloves garlic, freshly minced
- 2 cups (250 g) assorted bell peppers, diced (red, green, and yellow as desired)
- 2 tablespoons (28 g) butter (olive oil as a healthier alternative)
- 225 g light cream cheese (regular cream cheese for a richer sauce)
- 1 cup (100 g) shredded mozzarella cheese (any melting cheese may substitute)
- 4 slices light cheese (substitute with preferred melting cheese slices)
- 1 teaspoon (5 g) salt
- 1 teaspoon (2 g) ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon (2 g) paprika
- 0.5 teaspoon (1 g) chili flakes, adjustable to taste
- 0.25 cup (10 g) fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the dry macaroni and cook for 8–10 minutes until al dente. Reserve 125 ml of pasta cooking water before draining.
- In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic, chopped onion, and diced bell peppers. Sauté for 4–5 minutes until vegetables are tender and onions translucent.
- Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up as it cooks. Sauté for 5–7 minutes until browned, then drain excess fat. Season with salt, pepper, paprika, and chili flakes.
- Reduce heat to low. Stir in cream cheese, shredded mozzarella, and cheese slices. Mix gently until cheeses are melted and sauce is smooth, about 3–4 minutes.
- Add the drained macaroni and reserved pasta water to the skillet. Stir until evenly coated in the creamy sauce, adjusting consistency with extra pasta water if needed.
- Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the pasta before serving, if desired.
Notes
- For a vegetarian option, substitute lean ground beef with chickpeas.
- Adjust chili flakes according to your spice preference.
- Top with additional cheese for extra creaminess.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg