Chinese Macaroni

Total Time: 30 minutes
Serving Size: 1 cup of stir-fry
Number of Servings: 4
Calories & Macros per Serving (without optional ingredients): Calories: 450 Fat: 18g Carbs: 45g Protein: 32g

Ingredients:

• 350 g (about 3 cups) short pasta (macaroni, fusilli, etc.)

• 1 chopped onion

• 1 lb ground pork or thinly sliced steak (sirloin, flank, or ribeye)

• 1 to 1½ tablespoons soy sauce or tamari

• 2 cloves garlic, chopped

• Black pepper, to taste

• Oil for cooking

Optional Ingredients:

• ½ cup mushrooms, halved or quartered

• 2 cups broccoli

• 2 cups vegetables of your choice (carrots, celery, kale, peppers, etc.)

• 1 green onion, chopped

• 1 tablespoon grated ginger

• ½ teaspoon rice vinegar or lime juice (for slight tang)

Instructions:

1. Bring salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.

2. While pasta cooks, heat oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.

3. Add onion and cook for 5 minutes until softened.

4. Add ground pork or steak and cook until browned.

5. Stir in soy sauce or tamari, garlic, and black pepper. Add rice vinegar or lime juice, if using.

6. Stir in mushrooms (if using) and cook for 2–3 minutes.

7. Add broccoli and other vegetables. Cook until softened but still crisp.

8. Add pasta to the skillet. Toss everything together until well combined.

9. Stir in green onion and ginger (if using). Cook for 1–2 more minutes.

10. Serve hot and enjoy.

Tips:

• Use any short pasta like penne, rotini, or farfalle.

• Add ½ teaspoon sesame oil at the end for extra umami.

• Swap tamari and gluten-free pasta for a gluten-free version.

• Add heat with red pepper flakes or sriracha.