Halloumi Cajun Protein Pasta (Meat-Free)

Quick to make! Meat free. Good hit of protein and calorie friendly! Winning!

Calories: 552

Protein: 36g | Carbs: 63g | Fat: 17g

🧾 Ingredients

• 140g reduced-fat halloumi (soaked in hot water for 30 mins)

  • Soaking halloumi → reduces salt + makes it softer inside, crispy outside

    
    

• 1 small red onion (50g), diced

• 1 yellow pepper (100g), diced

• 2 tsp Cajun seasoning

• 1 tsp smoked paprika

• 90g protein cream cheese (e.g. lightest Philadelphia)- they’ve rebranded it)

• 30g tomato purée

• 10g garlic purée

• 1 stock cube (chicken or veg) + 100ml boiling water

• 15g Padano Parmesan

• 300g cooked macaroni (~170g dried weigh)

  Macaroni choice → more volume = feels like more food- trick of they eye!

👨‍🍳 Method

1. Prep halloumi

   
   

   • Soak first (key step 👌 reduces salt + improves texture)Cook pasta

   
   

2. Boil your macaroni. (Weigh cooked portion to 300g for accuracy.)

   
   

3. Cut halloumi into chunks

   • Dry fry or use low-cal spray until golden

   • Set aside

   
   

4. Build the base

   
   

   • In the same pan, cook onion + pepper on low heat

   • Add a splash of water instead of oil to prevent sticking

   • Cook 5–7 mins until soft

   
   

5. Make the sauce

   Add-

   • Cajun seasoning

   • Smoked paprika

   • Tomato purée

   • Garlic

   • Cream cheese

   • Stock

   
   

   Stir until smooth and creamy.

   
   

6. Combine

   • Add drained pasta

   • Add halloumi

   • Stir well

   • Finish with Parmesan