This high-protein cheeseburger mac bowl combines juicy seasoned beef, creamy cheese sauce, tender pasta, and classic burger toppings in one easy meal. It has all the comforting flavors of a cheeseburger without needing a bun.
Ingredients
For the Beef
- 1 lb (450 g) lean ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
For the Mac Bowl
- 8 oz (225 g) high-protein pasta
- 1 cup low-fat cottage cheese
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tsp yellow mustard
- ½ tsp Worcestershire sauce
- ½ cup diced pickles
- Chopped lettuce, optional
- Diced tomato, optional
Instructions
1. Cook the Pasta
Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the protein pasta according to the package directions until tender.
Reserve a little pasta water, then drain the pasta.
2. Brown the Beef
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and diced onion.
Cook until the beef is browned and the onion is soft. Drain excess grease if necessary.
Add garlic, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Cook for another minute.
3. Make the High-Protein Cheese Sauce
Add the cottage cheese, milk, and shredded cheddar to a blender. Blend until smooth and creamy.
Pour the mixture into the skillet with the beef and reduce the heat to low. Stir gently until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes creamy.
Add the ketchup, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. Mix well.
If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water.
4. Add the Pasta
Add the cooked protein pasta to the skillet and toss everything together until evenly coated.
Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
5. Build Your Bowl
Spoon the cheeseburger mac into bowls and top with:
- Diced pickles
- Chopped lettuce
- Diced tomato
- A small drizzle of ketchup or mustard
You can also add a little extra shredded cheddar on top.
Tips for More Protein
For an even higher-protein meal, use extra-lean ground beef and high-protein pasta. Cottage cheese is also an easy way to make the sauce creamy while adding protein.
For a lighter version, use reduced-fat cheddar and low-fat milk.
Serving
Serve the bowl immediately while the cheese sauce is warm and creamy. The combination of seasoned beef, cheesy pasta, tangy pickles, ketchup, and mustard gives it that classic cheeseburger flavor in mac-and-cheese form.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4