High Protein Chili Mac Recipe
User Reviews
5
High Protein Chili Mac Recipe
Description
This recipe starts with cooking macaroni noodles until al dente. Ground beef is browned and seasoned with chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, cayenne, and smoked paprika to build a deep chili flavor. Tomato paste, fire-roasted diced tomatoes, and drained kidney beans are added to form the chili base, simmered briefly to meld the flavors. Meanwhile, cottage cheese blended with milk creates a creamy sauce that is mixed into the skillet along with macaroni noodles.
The combination is then topped with shredded cheddar cheese and baked until the cheese melts and slightly bubbles. The resulting dish marries chili's robust, spiced meat flavors with a creamy, cheesy pasta. The texture is tender with a mild kick from the spices and smoothness from the cottage cheese-based sauce.
High Protein Chili Mac can be enjoyed as a stand-alone meal or paired with a simple green salad for balance. The incorporation of cottage cheese adds protein and creaminess without using heavy cream.
Ingredients
- 8 oz macaroni noodles
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 2 tsp cumin ground
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp oregano dried
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper optional, powder
- ¼ tsp smoked paprika
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 15 oz tomato 1 can, do not drain liquid, fire roasted petite diced
- 15 oz red kidney beans 1 can, drained and rinsed
- 2 cups cottage cheese
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 ½ cups cheddar cheese shredded
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375F. Cook macaroni noodles in salted water according to package instructions. Once cooked drain water and set aside.
- While macaroni cooks, brown ground beef in a large oven safe skillet. Once crumbled and browned, season ground beef with chili powder, cumin, salt, dried oregano, cayenne pepper, and smoked paprika.
- Add tomato paste, diced tomatoes, and kidney beans to the pan. Mix and allow to simmer for 5 minutes.
- While that simmers, blend cottage cheese and milk until smooth.
- Pour macaroni noodles and cottage cheese sauce into the pan with the beef mixture. Toss to combine evenly. Turn off the heat and top with the shredded cheese.
- Place in the oven and bake until cheese is melted - about 10 minutes.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 8Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 485 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 485kcal | 24% |
| Carbohydrates | 42g | 14% |
| Protein | 30g | 60% |
| Fat | 22g | 34% |
| Saturated Fat | 10g | 50% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 71mg | 24% |
| Sodium | 757mg | 32% |
| Potassium | 744mg | 16% |
| Fiber | 7g | 28% |
| Sugar | 6g | 12% |
| Vitamin A | 837IU | 17% |
| Vitamin C | 7mg | 8% |
| Calcium | 266mg | 27% |
| Iron | 5mg | 28% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
You'll Also Love
