Cheesesteak Mac & Cheese Recipe
A delicious and comforting Cheesesteak Mac & Cheese recipe featuring sautéed bell peppers, onions, and ground beef blended into a creamy cheese sauce with macaroni pasta. This dish combines the classic flavors of a cheesesteak sandwich with the creamy texture of mac and cheese for a hearty meal perfect for any occasion.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Dairy
- 800g lean ground beef (or turkey/chickpeas)
- 20g butter (or olive oil)
- 140g light cream cheese
- 50g shredded mozzarella
- 3–4 light cheese slices (or your favorite melting cheese)
Vegetables
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 100g chopped white onion
- 75g each red, green & yellow bell peppers (or any mix!)
Pantry Staples & Seasonings
- Salt, pepper, paprika & chili flakes (to taste)
- 125ml reserved pasta water
- 240g dry macaroni (whole wheat or chickpea pasta for protein boost)
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Boil macaroni in salted water until al dente, approximately 8-10 minutes. Reserve 125ml of the pasta cooking water before draining the pasta thoroughly.
- Sauté Veggies: In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic, chopped onion, and bell peppers. Sauté for 4–5 minutes until the vegetables are softened and fragrant.
- Add Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook for 5–7 minutes until browned and cooked through. Drain any excess fat if necessary. Season with salt, pepper, paprika, and chili flakes according to your preference.
- Make it Creamy: Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the light cream cheese, shredded mozzarella, and cheese slices. Stir continuously until the cheeses melt completely and form a silky, creamy sauce.
- Bring it Together: Add the cooked macaroni and reserved pasta water to the skillet. Stir thoroughly until every noodle is coated with the creamy cheese sauce. Adjust the sauce thickness by adding more pasta water if needed. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute ground beef with turkey or chickpeas for a leaner or vegetarian version.
- Whole wheat or chickpea pasta can be used to increase protein and fiber content.
- Adjust the seasoning to your taste, especially the chili flakes for desired heat.
- Reserve pasta water helps to adjust the consistency of the cheese sauce for a perfect creamy texture.
- Fresh parsley adds a nice color contrast and freshness to the dish.
Keywords: Cheesesteak Mac & Cheese, creamy macaroni, ground beef mac and cheese, skillet recipe, comfort food, easy dinner
Find it online: https://cookwithlea.com/cheesesteak-mac-and-cheese-recipe/
