Easy High Protein Philly Cheesesteak Mac (Printable)

Creamy pasta bowls loaded with seasoned beef, sautéed vegetables, and melted cheese for a protein-rich comfort food dinner.

# What You'll Need:

→ Protein

01 - 1 lb lean ground beef or shaved steak
02 - 1 cup low-fat cottage cheese

→ Pasta

03 - 8 oz high-protein elbow macaroni or chickpea pasta

→ Vegetables

04 - 1 large green bell pepper, diced
05 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
06 - 8 oz mushrooms, sliced
07 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Dairy & Cheese

08 - 1 cup shredded reduced-fat provolone cheese
09 - 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
10 - 1/4 cup low-fat milk

→ Seasonings

11 - 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
12 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
13 - 1/2 tsp salt
14 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
15 - 1/4 tsp chili flakes (optional)

# How to Make It:

01 - Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
02 - Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef or shaved steak and cook until browned, approximately 5-6 minutes. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
03 - Add the diced onion, bell pepper, and sliced mushrooms to the skillet. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until vegetables are softened and beginning to caramelize. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 additional minute until fragrant.
04 - Add Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and chili flakes if using. Stir thoroughly to distribute the seasonings evenly throughout the meat and vegetables.
05 - Reduce heat to low. Stir in the cottage cheese and milk, mixing continuously until the cottage cheese melts completely and forms a smooth, creamy sauce coating the meat and vegetables.
06 - Add the cooked pasta to the skillet. Gently fold everything together until the pasta is evenly coated with the sauce and distributed among the meat and vegetables.
07 - Sprinkle the shredded provolone and mozzarella cheeses evenly over the top. Cover the skillet and let stand for 2-3 minutes until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
08 - Remove from heat and serve hot. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • You get all the indulgent comfort of a cheesesteak without the post-meal heaviness
  • The cottage cheese trick creates an incredibly creamy sauce while boosting protein to 44 grams per serving
  • Everything cooks in one skillet, meaning less cleanup and more time enjoying dinner
02 -
  • Let the cottage cheese break down completely in the sauce before serving to avoid any texture surprises
  • Shaved ribeye steak absolutely elevates this dish if you want to splurge on the authentic experience
  • The cheese topping melts best when the heat is on the lowest setting to prevent scorching
03 -
  • Cook the vegetables just until they soften—overcooking makes them mushy and less appealing in the final dish
  • Room temperature cottage cheese incorporates more smoothly into the sauce

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