Garlic Butter Steak Mac & Cheese: A Protein-Packed Meal Prep Favorite!
Satisfy your cravings for comfort food while staying on track with your fitness goals with this mouthwatering Garlic Butter Steak Mac & Cheese recipe. Created by @_aussiefitness, this high-protein meal prep option is not only delicious but also easy to make and perfect for fueling your active lifestyle. Join us as we dive into the details of this protein-packed dish and discover how you can enjoy all the flavor of classic mac and cheese with the added benefits of lean beef and creamy cheeses.
The Ingredients:
To create this indulgent yet nutritious dish, you'll need the following ingredients:
- Extra Lean Diced Beef: Choose a lean cut of beef, such as Smart Heart Extra Lean Diced Beef, to keep the dish protein-rich and low in fat.
- Seasonings: Enhance the flavor of the beef with a combination of salt, fresh parsley, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Garlic: Infuse the dish with aromatic garlic flavor by adding minced garlic cloves to the beef.
- Light Butter: Use a small amount of light butter, such as Nuttelex Light, to create a rich and creamy garlic butter sauce.
- Fat-Free Evaporated Milk: Add creaminess to the sauce with fat-free evaporated milk, such as Carnation Light & Creamy.
- Light Cream Cheese: Incorporate light cream cheese, such as Philadelphia, or light laughing cow cheese for added creaminess and flavor.
- Low-Fat Grated Mozzarella and Cheddar Cheese: Use a combination of low-fat grated mozzarella and cheddar cheese to add cheesy goodness to the dish.
- Elbow Pasta or Macaroni: Choose your favorite variety of pasta, such as Zafarelli Piccolo Pasta, to complete the dish.
Creating the Dish:
To make Garlic Butter Steak Mac & Cheese, follow these simple steps:
1. Season and cook the extra lean diced beef with a combination of salt, parsley, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder until browned and cooked to your liking.
2. Add minced garlic cloves to the beef and cook until fragrant.
3. In a separate saucepan, melt light butter and stir in fat-free evaporated milk and light cream cheese until smooth and creamy.
4. Add the cooked beef to the sauce and stir in grated mozzarella and cheddar cheese until melted and combined.
5. Cook elbow pasta or macaroni according to package instructions until al dente, then stir into the cheesy beef mixture until evenly coated.
Enjoying the Dish:
Once prepared, Garlic Butter Steak Mac & Cheese can be portioned out into meal prep containers for convenient, on-the-go eating. Simply reheat individual servings in the microwave or oven for a quick and satisfying meal that's perfect for lunch or dinner. With macros like these – 551 calories, 41g carbs, 15.5g fat, and 61g protein per serving – you can enjoy every creamy, cheesy bite guilt-free.
Conclusion:
Elevate your meal prep game with Garlic Butter Steak Mac & Cheese – a protein-packed twist on a classic comfort food favorite. With lean beef, creamy cheeses, and aromatic garlic butter, this dish is sure to satisfy your cravings while supporting your fitness goals. Whether enjoyed as a post-workout refuel or a satisfying dinner option, Garlic Butter Steak Mac & Cheese is sure to become a staple in your meal prep rotation. So fire up the stove, grab your ingredients, and get ready to enjoy the delicious flavors of this protein-packed dish!