Creamy High Protein Beef Pasta Recipe

Introduction

This Creamy High Protein Beef Pasta is a comforting and satisfying meal that’s perfect for weeknight dinners. Packed with lean ground beef and rich Greek yogurt, it delivers a great balance of protein and flavor in a creamy, cheesy sauce.

Ingredients

• 225g penne pasta
• 450g lean ground beef
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 cup beef broth
• ¾ cup plain Greek yogurt (or cottage cheese)
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or mozzarella)
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne until al dente, according to package instructions. Drain and reserve ½ cup of pasta water.
2. Step 2: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add olive oil and the ground beef. Cook until browned and fully cooked, about 6–8 minutes. Drain excess fat.
3. Step 3: Push the beef to one side of the pan, then add chopped onion and garlic. Sauté for 2–3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
4. Step 4: Stir in the tomato paste and cook for another 1–2 minutes to deepen the flavor.
5. Step 5: Pour in the beef broth and stir everything together. Let simmer for 3–5 minutes until slightly thickened.
6. Step 6: Lower the heat. Stir in the Greek yogurt and shredded cheese. Mix until creamy and smooth. Add reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
7. Step 7: Add the cooked pasta to the sauce. Toss to coat everything evenly.
8. Step 8: Taste and adjust with salt and pepper.
9. Step 9: Garnish with fresh parsley if desired and serve warm.

Tips & Variations

• For a lighter option, substitute the cheddar cheese with part-skim mozzarella.
• Add some chili flakes while cooking if you like a bit of heat.
• Use cottage cheese instead of Greek yogurt for a slightly different texture.
• Reserve pasta water carefully to adjust sauce consistency without thinning the flavor.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce if it has thickened.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of pasta?

Yes, any short pasta like penne, rigatoni, or fusilli works well with this creamy beef sauce.

Is Greek yogurt necessary in this recipe?

Greek yogurt adds creaminess and protein but you can substitute it with cottage cheese or sour cream if preferred.

Creamy High Protein Beef Pasta Recipe

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★★★★★

5 from 77 reviews

This Creamy High Protein Beef Pasta combines tender penne pasta with a rich, flavorful ground beef sauce enhanced by Greek yogurt and melted cheddar cheese for a delicious, protein-packed meal perfect for any weeknight dinner.

• Author: Amy
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta

• 225g penne pasta

Beef and Sauce

• 450g lean ground beef
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 cup beef broth

Dairy

• ¾ cup plain Greek yogurt (or cottage cheese)
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or mozzarella)

Seasoning and Garnish

• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)

Instructions

1. Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook until al dente according to the package instructions. Drain the pasta and reserve ½ cup of the pasta water for later use.
2. Brown Beef: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the lean ground beef and cook until browned and fully cooked, approximately 6 to 8 minutes. Drain any excess fat from the pan.
3. Sauté Aromatics: Push the cooked beef to one side of the skillet. Add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic to the empty side. Sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until the onions soften and become fragrant.
4. Add Tomato Paste: Stir in the tomato paste with the beef and aromatics, and cook for another 1 to 2 minutes to deepen the flavors.
5. Simmer with Beef Broth: Pour in the beef broth and mix everything together. Let the mixture simmer for 3 to 5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
6. Make Sauce Creamy: Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the Greek yogurt and shredded cheddar cheese until the sauce becomes creamy and smooth. Add some reserved pasta water as needed to reach your desired consistency.
7. Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked penne pasta to the skillet and toss everything together to evenly coat the pasta with the creamy beef sauce.
8. Season: Taste the dish and adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper to your preference.
9. Garnish and Serve: Optionally, sprinkle chopped fresh parsley on top for garnish. Serve the creamy high protein beef pasta warm and enjoy!

Notes

• Using Greek yogurt instead of cream reduces fat and adds protein making the dish healthier and creamy.
• Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency without diluting flavors.
• Lean ground beef helps keep the dish lower in fat while delivering good protein content.
• You can substitute cheddar cheese with mozzarella for a milder flavor.
• Fresh parsley adds a bright finishing touch but can be omitted if unavailable.

Keywords: high protein beef pasta, creamy pasta recipe, ground beef pasta, Greek yogurt pasta sauce, easy weeknight dinner